Doctors warn the UK could see an STI surge — here’s the reason why

When it comes to avoiding the likes of chlamydia or gonorrhoea in the bedroom, the only sure-fire way to do so is by whipping out a condom.

But for us Brits this hasn’t always been a priority, with just 15% of us purchasing condoms in 2023, and a staggering 41% skipping any form of contraception at all, according to Durex.

Still, that’s 10.5 million people in the UK who are relying on johnnies to protect their sexual health, although this could be set to decrease as the Iran War pushes up the cost of this protection.

Karex produces over 5 billion condoms annually supplying leading brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as state health systems such as Britain’s NHS, and it announced in April it would need to hike prices up by 30%.

The war has strained energy and petrochemical flows from the Middle East, disrupting procurement of raw materials like synthetic rubber and nitrile, used in manufacturing condoms to packaging materials, and lubricants such as aluminium foils and silicone oil.

In fact, Pasante, has claimed non-latex materials are up 100% in cost, latex is up 30%, and packaging and logistics are also coming in at 20% more costly.

Put simply, a £10 pack of condoms could cost up to £13 by the end of 2026, and GP Nikki Ramskill, founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic, tells Metro this could have ‘real public health consequences’.

‘This rise in cost may seem relatively small but for many people, particularly younger individuals or those on lower incomes, it can absolutely act as a barrier.

‘When contraception becomes less accessible, even in subtle ways, behaviour changes.’
The GP, for Doctify, adds that condom use is ‘already inconsistent’, particularly outside of long-term relationships, and that price increases risk pushing this to an even lower level.

‘This is especially true for more casual or unplanned situations where cost or availability of condoms may already be a factor,’ she adds.

‘If fewer people are using condoms because of cost, we could see a knock-on effect with rising STI rates.’
Of course, condoms are available for free from sexual health clinics and GP services, however these have select opening hours and often aren’t as conveniently placed on the high street as retailers like Boots and Superdrug.

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Condoms UK has confirmed it’s going to freeze the prices of selected ranges of condoms on its site until June 30, 2026, using existing stock.

‘What’s happening at manufacturing level will hit UK shoppers – it’s just a matter of when,’ a Condoms UK spokesperson says.

‘Typically, these kinds of increases take three to six months to show up on shelves.

‘Behind the scenes, the category is already shifting.

Lead times are longer, freight costs are up, and suppliers are signalling further increases.

We expect value ranges to rise first, while bigger brands may hold prices slightly longer.’

How to get condoms as cheaply as possible

You’ll want to buy larger packs (of 24–36) instead of smaller convenience packs.

‘The biggest mistake people make is buying small packs at the till, where the price per condom is far higher,’ the Condoms UK spokesperson adds.

You should also avoid panic buying because rubbers have a long shelf life and stockpiling isn’t necessary.

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