Further Decline in Number of Consultations at Sexual Health Centers

In the first half of 2025, a total of 73,333 sti sexually transmitted infection (sexually transmitted infection)- and PrEP pre-exposure prophylaxis (pre-exposure prophylaxis)-consultations were conducted at the CSG Center for Sexual Health (Center for Sexual Health)’s. Of these consultations, 22,605 (31%) were consultations with women, 11,695 (16%) with men who have sex only with women (MSV), 25,449 (35%) with MSM men who have sex with men (men who have sex with men)-sti, 11,998 (16%) with MSM-PrEP, and 1,586 (2%) with gender-diverse individuals. Compared to 2024, the number of sti and PrEP consultations has decreased. In the second half of 2024, there were 76,986 sti and PrEP consultations. The number of consultations particularly decreased among women and MSV, and slightly increased among gender-diverse individuals.

Of all consultations in the first half of 2025, 42% were among individuals aged 25 and younger. In 30% of the consultations, individuals had sti symptoms and in 18% of the consultations, individuals had received partner notification for an sti.

New chlamydia testing policy 

Since January 2025, only people with sti complaints or with a stable partner with chlamydia and sti complaints are tested for chlamydia. Where in 2024 99% of consultations were tested for chlamydia, this was only 41% in the first half of 2025. Due to this new testing policy, trends of chlamydia or general sti detection rates cannot be compared well with previous years. 

Sti detection rate

The sti detection rate (percentage of consultations with at least one positive sti test: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hiv human immunodeficiency virus (human immunodeficiency virus) or hepatitis B) was 16.7% in the first half of 2025. The detection rate among women was 13.3%, among MSV 16.4%, among MSM-sti 20.2%, among MSM-PrEP 16.4%, and among gender-diverse individuals 14.6%. This was significantly lower for all groups than in previous years. As mentioned, this is due to fewer individuals being tested for chlamydia, resulting in fewer chlamydia diagnoses.

Still a lot of gonorrhea

In the first half of 2025, a total of 7,290 gonorrhea diagnoses were made. The detection rate among women and heterosexual men has been high since the second half of 2023. Among women, there were 1,041 gonorrhea diagnoses and among heterosexual men 530. In both groups, the gonorrhea detection rate increased; among women to 4.7% and among heterosexual men to 4.6%.
Additionally, there has also been an increase among men who have sex with men (MSM) and gender-diverse individuals in recent years. Most diagnoses were made among MSM-sti (3,944) and MSM-PrEP (1,584). The gonorrhea detection rate increased to 15.7% among MSM-sti and 13.6% among MSM-PrEP. 

Syphilis and Hiv

In the first half of 2025, there were 944 diagnoses of infectious syphilis made at the CSG’s. Most diagnoses were found among MSM-sti (619) and MSM-PrEP (247). The infectious syphilis detection rate was 2.5% among MSM-sti and 2.1% among MSM-PrEP. This was the same for MSM-sti as in the second half of 2024, and a slight increase for MSM-PrEP.

In the first half of 2025, there were 90 hiv diagnoses made at the CSG’s. Of the 90 diagnoses, 65 were in MSM-sti and 6 in MSM-PrEP consultations. The hiv detection rate among MSM-sti was 0.3%, similar to previous years.

About the Sexual Health Thermometer

In the Sexual Health Thermometer, the RIVM shares the most important figures and trends of stis and sexual health in the Netherlands every six months. These figures come from the Centers for Sexual Health. With this data, the RIVM can signal early increases in stis and respond accordingly.