A woman has revealed she’s embarked on a steamy online affair behind her husband’s back and confessed she doesn’t feel guilty about it as she’s now getting everything she has been missing

Sitting in the sexual health clinic early one Saturday morning, the doctor’s face was confused.

I’d just disclosed that I thought I had contracted gonorrhoea from kissing a stranger in a club. 

She said: ‘I haven’t heard of that before.’

I immediately felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously. As though she assumed I was naive and clinging to a convenient excuse.

But I can categorically say that I didn’t do anything more than kiss – and that’s how I believe I contracted my infection.

A few weeks earlier, I was in a nightclub and made out with a guy on the dancefloor.

I’ve been with my partner, Alex*, for several years. We’re mostly monogamous, with the exception that I sometimes kiss people in club settings.

It’s an arrangement that works for us.

That night in the club, I kissed this stranger a few times passionately over the course of the evening.

And that was it. No sex. No other contact.

A week later, my throat was covered in white bacterial spots. Tonsillitis, said the doctor. I was prescribed a course of antibiotics and I was better in a few days.

But within a few weeks, Alex started experiencing a burning sensation when he urinated. We assumed it was a urinary tract infection so he sought help and was prescribed some medication.

But something didn’t quite add up. As the weeks went on and Alex’s symptoms worsened, I racked my brain for other explanations.

I can’t remember exactly what made me question it, but I googled ‘can you get an STI from kissing?’ That’s when things changed. 

One of the first hits, published only a few weeks earlier, was a piece in the Standard that cited an Australian study that suggested ‘kissing, but not sex, is the strongest risk factor’ for oral gonorrhoea.

He’s now waiting for an operation that could have life-changing consequences like incontinence if it doesn’t go well

I discussed it with Alex and we both agreed that this felt plausible given our symptoms and experiences in the weeks previous.

So we went to a sexual health clinic one morning for a walk-in appointment. 

Within a few hours, we both had our answer: gonorrhoea. It wasn’t really a surprise, more confirmation. After all, we’d read the study and our symptoms and experience matched up.

But this is when I had the interaction with the clinician who felt dismissive of how I contracted the STI.

Alex’s clinician was even more resolute – categorically saying it wasn’t possible to get gonorrhoea from kissing. It left me frustrated.

Thankfully, I was lucky. I had a mild case and was treated quickly with an antibiotic injection. But Alex wasn’t. 

The antibiotics cleared the infection and he tested negative a few weeks later. But symptoms persisted.

Over time, he developed complications – a fistula near his anus. It took several visits to both the sexual health clinic and his GP before anyone took the problem seriously or made a connection to the infection.

Eventually, he had to push hard to be referred to hospital. He’s now waiting for an operation that could have life-changing consequences like incontinence if it doesn’t go well. 

But according to UK health guidance, what happened to us isn’t even possible. In fact, multiple regional NHS websites categorically state it’s not possible.

And when we tried to speak up about it, I don’t think we were taken seriously. 

Gonorrhoea is surging in the UK, with case load records being broken year after year. There are even strands of what’s being called super gonorrhoea, which is resistant to antibiotic treatments.

Men who have sex with men are among the groups worst affected. I believe it’s another example in a long history of queer people and other marginalised communities being failed by public health bodies.  

There are even strands of what’s being called super gonorrhoea, which is resistant to antibiotic treatments

The recent announcement of a gonorrhoea vaccine being rolled out from August is great news. But the NHS doesn’t need to wait until August to broaden their advice. 

Maybe the evidence around kissing isn’t yet conclusive enough. But surely that’s a reason to say more, not less.

Health authorities and researchers in the United States and Australia both acknowledge that gonorrhea can be transmitted this way. But the NHS has been slow – stubborn even – in updating its guidance.

A line in NHS guidance that says something like this would be a start: ‘Some research suggests transmission may also be possible through kissing, though more studies are needed’.

Instead, Alex and I were left in the dark. And one of us is now facing a serious operation as a result.

For us, this wasn’t about being reckless or irresponsible. It was about being denied the information we needed to manage our own risk, and being dismissed when we tried to speak up.

The vaccine is welcome. But it won’t fix a public health culture that still fails to listen to – or inform – the people most at risk.

*Name has been changed

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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Boden has got the royal seal of approval as it is a brand the likes of Kate Middleton often turns to for royal engagement. But, that’s not the only reason we love the label, as Boden stocks vibrant pieces to weave into your wardrobe no matter the occasion. 

Our latest obsession is Boden’s Anna Linen Tiered Midi Dress, which has almost sold out in select colourways. 

However, that is hardly surprising considering the Anna Linen Tiered Midi Dress is versatile to style in numerous ways to suit all occasions this summer, whether you are heading to a wedding, summer party, or the office. 

Anna Linen Tiered Midi Dress

Crafted from a blend of linen and recycled linen, while the bodice is made from breathable cotton, this dress is perfectly lightweight for the summer.It boasts a V-neckline, short puff sleeves, as well as a tiered A-line skirt that falls to midi length.Available in eight colours, in petite, regular and long versions, and in UK dress sizes 4 to 22.

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The Anna Linen Tiered Midi Dress has been crafted from a linen and recycled linen outer, while the bodice has been made using 100% cotton fabric. This fabric blend is not only comfortable, but lightweight and breathable, which is exactly what we yearn for when the warm weather hits. 

The fit and flare shape is ultra flattering for all body shapes too. The dress also features a V-neckline, short puff sleeves, and a tiered flared midi skirt that billows out. 

The attention to detail is another noteworthy factor, as the waist is fitted with a panel that sculpts the body, but without digging in and feeling restrictive – it’s just enough to create that hourglass silhouette. 

The midi length falls mid-calf, which makes it ideal for formal occasions, as well as the office, as it provides enough coverage without draping on the floor. 

We can’t forget to mention this linen dress boasts side seam pockets too, and if, like us, you love a pocket then this is a real game changer to make you feel relaxed when you slip it on. 

The dress is available in petite, regular and long lengths, as well as UK dress sizes 4 to 22, which is an inclusive variety to suit all body shapes. 

The dress is also available in eight colours, including black, pink, green, blue, orange, white, red, and navy, though sizes are selling out fast in select colours. 

Boden has not only created a multi-functional and stylish dress, but the label is also offering shoppers 15% off womenswear for a limited time only. Simply enter the discount code ‘JM7D’ at the checkout to see the price drop. 
Whether you pair your linen dress with flat sandals, jelly shoes, trainers, kitten heels or chunky wedges, layer with a shawl or a spring jacket, such as a denim jacket, linen blazer, or cardigan, the styling options are endless.

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‘At my school, you’re only allowed one toilet break a day, and during lesson time most of the toilets are locked and guarded by senior staff,’ says Millie, 16, when asked about being on her period at school.

The teen, from Glasgow, adds that her teachers have never stepped in to challenge or educate boys in her class who make unhelpful comments about periods.

New research by Plan International UK has revealed that period stigma is rife UK’s schools. Perhaps most shockingly, their findings show that 9% of girls and young women have been bullied or teased by a teacher about their period, while 28% had been bullied about it by their peers

More than half of the 1,000 girls who took part (56%) in the study admitted they felt ‘embarrassed’ or ‘ashamed’ when talking about periods with teachers, while 41% say they’ve never spoken openly to a boy or man about menstruation in their life. 

A lack of education is contributing to the problem, with one in four girls sharing that they have spent less than an hour learning about periods throughout their total time at school.

More worryingly, 20% of girls say they’ve been told in school that extreme period pain is normal.

What is it like for girls when they’re on their period at school?

Several mothers have told Metro that their teenage daughters have been barred from going to the toilet during lessons when on their period.

One mum from South Manchester, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ‘My 14-year-old daughter’s geography teacher wouldn’t let her go to the toilet even though she was having a heavy period.

‘She said: “If I can’t go to the toilet neither can you!” My daughter doesn’t want me to say anything [to the school], as she doesn’t want to make a fuss.’

Serena, 18, from Buckinghamshire, is one of the girls who doesn’t feel she has been given a ‘proper’ education about periods.

‘All we were told about was the biological definition and information that didn’t show that everyone’s periods are different. No one mentioned options like period pants, which would have made such a difference to me as an autistic person who has sensory issues,’ she said.

‘I’ve missed school days because of how painful my periods have been, and even then, teachers didn’t always see it as a valid reason. I was told, “everyone has periods, what’s so special about yours?”.’

She adds: ‘We should be learning not just about biology, but about how to manage periods, what’s normal for your body, how to support others, and how periods affect mental health.

‘I’ve seen boys act like periods are “gross” or something to be ashamed of, which spreads stigma further.’

What do teachers say about period education in school?

Even teachers admit more needs to be done. Hannah, 33, has been a high-school teacher for over 10 years. She told Metro that while she’s never witnessed teachers bullying girls on their periods, staff and students need to be better informed.

‘At one school I worked at, there was no period education whatsoever, and we were constantly sending girls home to change as they kept leaking through their clothes,’ she says.

‘These girls were missing hours and hours of education a month because they were ill-prepared, but when I brought up my concerns, I was told that this is something that just happens and we should let them go home to shower and change. I was so shocked at the relaxed “send them home” attitude.

‘Thankfully, lots of the kids lived in walking distance of the school, but I couldn’t help feeling that they needed to be better prepared for life – they’re not going to be able to keep going home to change when they have a job.’

It got to the point where Hannah, a drama teacher, took matters into her own hands.

‘I had to pull all of the girls into the sports hall to discuss periods,’ she said. ‘I told them where they could get free sanitary towels, how often they should be changing them, and about period tracking apps they could use, so they’d at least have an idea of when their period might be coming.’

And when it comes to letting girls go to the loo during class, Hannah claims it can be a bit of a ‘minefield’ for teachers to navigate, striking the right balance between being supportive, and knowing when someone is using periods as an excuse to get out of lessons.

‘Male staff tend to be quite uncomfortable about it, so if a girl says she’s on her period they will nearly always let them go to the toilet as they don’t want an argument about it,’ she explains.

‘There have been some girls who constantly claim they are on their period to get out of class, I had to tell them they couldn’t just shout period at a male member of staff to get out of lessons.’

Hannah adds that education needs to come from home too.

‘I’ve known children whose parents refused to talk about periods, or made them seem like an unclean thing, so they were really embarrassed about it.

‘There were a few students who would refuse to go to lessons as they were worried they would leak if they sat down, so they wanted to keep walking around. They thought their parents would be ashamed of them if they leaked, so there’s parental stigma to deal with as well.’

What should you do if your child is struggling with their period at school?

Plan International UK is launching a new initiative in partnership with the Nurofen See My Pain campaign, known as The Period Peers Programme. They will be supporting organisations, schools, youth groups, colleges and universities to become ‘Period Proud Environments’.

Lizzy Brothers, Period Peers Programme Coordinator, encourages parents to speak directly to their child’s school. She tells us: ‘We encourage parents to ask their child’s school what they’re doing to create a supportive, shame-free environment – like ensuring free period products are available, having a dedicated staff contact, and taking a clear stance against period shaming.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

A spiritual expert has shared exactly how people looking for love can ditch the dating apps and use the power of manifestation to find a partner instead – and shared three ways to use the universe

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Ever had a shampoo and conditioner whose formula you *loved* but just wished it did that bit extra for your specific hair?

Sure, your hair is silky, clean and smells amazing but if only it felt thicker/stronger/healthier/less frizzy/just perfect…

That’s where Living Proof and their brand-new, silicone-free haircare range comes in clutch.

Revealing four new shampoo and conditioner pairings last month, Living Proof are here to revolutionise silicone-free haircare, leaving dry, dull results usually found with such formulas firmly in the past.

Perfect hair Day Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle

If your hair is on the dull and dry side and in need of perfecting, then the Perfect hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle will be your ride or die. Delivering 72-hours of hydration with every wash, this hard-working pair is set to leave your locks quenched and shinier than ever.

shop £49.30 (save £8.70)

Each of these four new ranges are scientifically proven to deliver healthier hair with every wash and treat your unique hair concerns: frizz, damage, dryness and lack of volume. And their star ingredient? Sili-CLONE™ HairTech.

Sili-CLONE™ HairTech, Living Proof’s proprietary new technology, consists of a blend of science-backed, multi-sensory modifiers that deliver the benefits of silicones that we all know and love. Think: shiny, sleek and conditioned hair.

While it’s at it, it’s transforming the texture of hair and delivering healthier hair with every wash, supporting long-term hair health.

In short, it looks, walks and quacks like silicone, but it’s so much better.

The silicone-free shampoos feature an eco-luxe sunflower-based surfactant that delivers a rich, decadent lather and adds silky slip for enhanced spreadability and performance.

And the conditioners? These contain a bio-derived fatty acid polymer, Polyricinoleic Acid, which has never-before used in haircare. This ingredient is known for its exceptional silicone-like slip that helps optimise the texture and condition of the hair fibre, without weighing it down.

And as if creating an exceptional silicone-free shampoo and conditioner wasn’t enough, Living Proof has gone that one step further to release four, yes four, brand new ranges to tackle your hair qualms. From fine hair to dull, damaged to frizzy, Living Proof has you covered.

For those with fine, thin or flat hair, the Living Proof Full Shampoo and Conditioner will be your go-to.

This luxe duo is proven to volumise the hair for lasting fullness and body and keep hair cleaner and healthier for longer, delivering two times the volume with every wash.

Frizzy hair that just won’t quit? The No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner is proven to smooth hair, control frizz and keep hair clean and healthy for longer, proven to deliver three times smoother hair with every wash. And humidity protection? It’s got that too.

If you’re struggling with damaged hair that needs a bit of love, then the Restore bundle will be your best bet.

This Shampoo and Conditioner duo is proven to reverse damage, repair the look and feel of damage with every wash, deliver 95% less breakage with each wash and leave hair feeling stronger and protected.

And if your hair is on the dull and dry side and in need of perfecting, then the Perfect hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle will be your ride or die.

Delivering 72-hours of hydration with every wash, this hard-working pair is set to leave your locks quenched and shinier than ever.

Ready to find your perfect pairing? Explore the new Living Proof silicon-free shampoos and conditioners below.

Full Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle

For those with fine, thin or flat hair, the Living Proof Full Shampoo and Conditioner will be your go-to. This luxe duo is proven to volumise the hair for lasting fullness and body and keep hair cleaner and healthier for longer, delivering two times the volume with every wash.

shop £49.30 (save £8.70)

Restore Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle

If you’re struggling with damaged hair that needs a bit of love, then the Restore bundle will be your best bet. This Shampoo and Conditioner duo is proven to reverse damage, repair the look and feel of damage with every wash, deliver 95% less breakage with each wash and leave hair feeling stronger and protected.

shop £49.30 (save £8.70)

frizz Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle

Got frizzy hair that just won’t quit? The No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner is proven to smooth hair, control frizz, and keep hair clean and healthy for longer, proven to deliver three times smoother hair with every wash. And humidity protection? It’s got that too.

shop £49.30 (save £8.70)

As a frizzy gal, I’m obsessed with one in particular…

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In the 90s and 00s, slimming clubs were packed with people looking to shed the pounds.

Flash forward to today however, and Weight Watchers has filed for bankruptcy, as the meteoric rise of weight loss jabs saw the company struggling to compete.

Medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Rybelsu, previously used to treat diabetes, have exploded in popularity in recent years.

An estimated 500,000 Brits are now taking either Mounjaro or Wegovy (both of which are available on the NHS) and Simple Online Pharmacy claims demand is growing by up to 40% each month.

However, health secretary Wes Streeting warned that they shouldn’t be seen as a quick ‘cosmetic’ fix, adding: ‘These are serious medicines and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision.’

So if you’re considering weight loss jabs, we’ve compiled everything you need to know, as well as a look at the biggest pros and cons…

How do weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro work?

Administered as weekly jabs, these drugs – often called GLP-1 agonists – mimic the hormones our bodies release when we eat to help diabetics manage insulin levels.

But alongside regulating blood sugar, they also help with reducing appetite (so you feel less hungry throughout the day) and increasing feelings of fullness (so you eat less when you do).

How do you get a prescription for weight loss drugs in the UK?

In the UK, new rules mean you’ll need to have a consultation with a specialist weight management service before being prescribed this kind of treatment.

This can be done through the NHS or privately, with the likes of Superdrug and Boots offering prescriptions online. 

The pros of weight loss jabs

Metro asked Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, about the biggest pros and cons of weight loss injections. In terms of their benefits, here’s what she had to say:

Weight loss

Unsurprisingly, weight loss drugs help you lose weight — but the amount is impressive, with studies showing patients typically see at least a 10% to 15% weight reduction.

‘This can be transformative, especially for those with long-standing obesity where lifestyle interventions alone have failed,’ says Dr Wylie.

⁠Reduction in obesity-related health issues

Dr Wylie explains: ‘Weight loss of this magnitude is associated with a meaningful drop in the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

‘There’s also early evidence suggesting improved cardiovascular outcomes, even independent of weight loss. And for patients with pre-diabetes, these medications may delay or prevent progression to full-blown diabetes.’

Improved quality of life and mental health

Beyond the physical benefits, Dr Wylie says the ‘positive impact on self-esteem and mood’ caused by weight loss ‘can create a virtuous cycle, making it easier to stay engaged with other aspects of health promotion, such as physical activity and social participation.’

⁠Support for patients who feel stuck

According to Dr Wylie, the helping hand these jabs provide can be a major boost for those who feel they’ve ‘tried everything’ without success.

She adds: ‘As GPs, it’s empowering to have another tool to offer that feels both compassionate and effective.’

The cons of weight loss jabs

Despite their benefits, there are a number of things to consider before taking weight loss drugs – including possible short-term and long-term side effects. Here’s a look at what Dr Wylie considers the biggest downsides:

Side effects

‘Gastrointestinal side effects are common, particularly during dose escalation,’ she says, noting that these can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation.

Dr Wylie also adds than in rare cases, ‘there’s a risk of pancreatitis or gallbladder issues.’

There are other potential complications to look out for too: Ozempic-style weight loss drugs were recently linked to symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation, as well as an increased risk of vision loss.

More worryingly, at the end of last year, the government issued a warning after 10 people died and 68 were admitted to hospital as a result of using the injections.

More than 7,000 reports of illness associated with the drugs had also been made, leading the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to publicly state they should not be used for ‘unauthorised indications such as aesthetic weight loss’.

Long-term use

Unless you overhaul your habits, the results you see while taking these medications won’t last long afterwards.

‘Once stopped, weight regain is common unless there’s been a concurrent and sustainable lifestyle change,’ says Dr Wylie.

Costs

Only ‘very specific patient groups’ are entitled to weight loss jabs on the NHS, and ‘privately, these medications are expensive, often over £200 a month.’

If you go private, it’s important to seriously whether you can afford to keep your prescription going for long enough to see results.

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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