Gonorrhea Will Become Untreatable Soon

Cosmo Kramer, 'Seinfeld' (Pinterest)

Cosmo Kramer, ‘Seinfeld’ (Pinterest)

Here’s some downer news to start your day: Sexually-transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea has become resistant to certain antibiotics.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new treatment guidelines for the STD. Gonorrhea isn’t the only STD that’s become drug-resistant; strains of chlamydia and syphilis have also begun resisting treatment.

The common STD most affects women ages 20-24, with 820K new cases throughout all demographics cropping up per year. Worldwide, 78M people contract gonorrhea each year.

Gonorrhea is becoming drug-resistant at the same time that STD rates are rising. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) reported that rates of gonorrhea rose 5%+, which was the first increase in the U.S. in eight years.

The STD now cannot be treated with penicillin and doxycycline, among other drugs. The WHO estimates that completely new drugs will be needed for treatment within the next five years.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Banned in Nigeria

Nigerian girl (Higher Perspectives)

Nigerian girl (Higher Perspectives)

Last fall, Nigeria became the first country to officially ban female genital mutilation (FGM). Previously, certain states had outlawed the practice. Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill into a law before he left office.

The United Nations banned FGM in 2012.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 125M+ women have been victims of the practice across the world. Nigeria has traditionally had one of the highest rates of FGM, accounting for 25% of cases worldwide.

FGM is used as a way to control a woman’s sexuality. The practice can result in any medical complications, including affecting fertility.