Over 25% Asymptomatic in STD Infections - Reality of STDs Revealed from a Survey of 256 People. Infections Spreading from 'Close Contacts' via Dating Apps and Sex Services
A survey of 256 individuals by Tokyo Kensa Clinic revealed that over 25% of STD infections are asymptomatic. The study highlights that transmission also occurs through 'specific partners' and the role of dating apps, underscoring STDs as a common health issue for everyone.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 23:56
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Tokyo Kensa Clinic (https://tokyo-std-clinic.com/), specializing in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), conducted a "Survey on Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections" targeting 256 men and women and analyzed the data.
*Request for citation and reprinting of data
When using the survey results and images from this release, please set a link to the official website URL of "Tokyo Kensa Clinic" (https://tokyo-std-clinic.com/) as the source.
In recent years, the spread of social media and dating apps has lowered the barrier to meeting people. This has made it relatively easy to "have sexual relations with an unspecified number of people," and the number of STD infections has been increasing year by year. This time, Tokyo Kensa Clinic conducted a survey on awareness of STDs to clarify the actual situation of STDs.
Survey Purpose: Survey on the actual situation of STDs
Valid Responses: 256 people (143 men, 113 women)
Survey Method: Internet-based survey
Survey Period: March to April 2026
Survey Result Responsibility: Tokyo Kensa Clinic Gotanda Branch
What were the suspected routes of infection when you suspected an STD?
In this survey, "sex establishments" were most frequently cited as the suspected route of STD infection. However, it is noteworthy that "specific partners" followed closely. This reiterates that STDs can spread not only through contact with an unspecified number of people but also within relationships with partners and spouses.
In other words, STDs are not "a problem for people who engage in special behaviors" but a familiar health issue that can happen to anyone.
Furthermore, "unspecified partners," "dating apps," and "unspecified individuals" also accounted for a certain percentage, suggesting that as encounters diversify in modern society, the forms of infection risk are also changing. It is thought that the generalization of online encounters creates an environment where multiple contacts can occur in a short period.
On the other hand, these results represent "suspected routes of infection" and do not necessarily identify the actual source of infection. Many STDs progress asymptomatically, making it difficult to accurately determine the time of infection or the partner. From this perspective, it is also suggested that regular testing is important regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.
In summary, these results indicate the following:
- STDs are not a problem limited to specific groups.
- Infection can sufficiently occur even between partners.
- The risk structure is changing with the diversification of encounters.
- Self-diagnosis is dangerous as STDs are often asymptomatic.
The most important aspect of STD countermeasures is not "whether the risk is high or not," but "whether there is an environment where testing is easily accessible." Creating a system that leads to early detection and early treatment is more crucial than speculating on infection routes.
Why are the hurdles to visiting a clinic high?
In this survey, the most frequently cited hurdle for visiting a clinic was "no time during the day." This was followed by "don't know where to get examined," and a certain percentage also answered, "observing because there are no symptoms."
What emerges from these results is that the barriers to consultation are more about "physical and informational hurdles" than "embarrassment."
Firstly, the most common answer, "no time," is a common challenge for modern medicine in general, not just STDs. For working generations in particular, medical institutions that only offer consultations during weekday daytime hours are difficult to access, which often leads to postponing visits.
Secondly, the answer "don't know where to get examined" indicates that STD medical care is not yet sufficiently visible. It is presumed that people do not know whether to go to internal medicine, urology, or gynecology, and information is fragmented even when searching, preventing them from taking the step to consult.
Furthermore, the answer "observing because there are no symptoms" is also important. Many STDs progress asymptomatically, and self-monitoring based on self-diagnosis can contribute to the spread of infection and severe progression.
In STD countermeasures, it is important not only to "promote awareness for consultation" but also to establish mechanisms that specifically lower these hurdles. Creating an environment that includes flexible consultation hours, clear information, consideration for anonymity, and reduced waiting times is considered key to early detection and early treatment.
Did you have symptoms when you contracted an STD?
In this survey, 73.6% of people had symptoms when they contracted an STD, while 26.4% were asymptomatic. Approximately one in four people were infected without any subjective symptoms.
However, in reality, many STDs progress asymptomatically, and there may be a considerable number of people who have not been tested because they have no symptoms. This figure represents the presence or absence of symptoms at the time "infection was confirmed," and it is presumed that the number of potential asymptomatic carriers is even higher.
*Request for citation and reprinting of data
When using the survey results and images from this release, please set a link to the official website URL of "Tokyo Kensa Clinic" (https://tokyo-std-clinic.com/) as the source.
In recent years, the spread of social media and dating apps has lowered the barrier to meeting people. This has made it relatively easy to "have sexual relations with an unspecified number of people," and the number of STD infections has been increasing year by year. This time, Tokyo Kensa Clinic conducted a survey on awareness of STDs to clarify the actual situation of STDs.
Survey Purpose: Survey on the actual situation of STDs
Valid Responses: 256 people (143 men, 113 women)
Survey Method: Internet-based survey
Survey Period: March to April 2026
Survey Result Responsibility: Tokyo Kensa Clinic Gotanda Branch
What were the suspected routes of infection when you suspected an STD?
In this survey, "sex establishments" were most frequently cited as the suspected route of STD infection. However, it is noteworthy that "specific partners" followed closely. This reiterates that STDs can spread not only through contact with an unspecified number of people but also within relationships with partners and spouses.
In other words, STDs are not "a problem for people who engage in special behaviors" but a familiar health issue that can happen to anyone.
Furthermore, "unspecified partners," "dating apps," and "unspecified individuals" also accounted for a certain percentage, suggesting that as encounters diversify in modern society, the forms of infection risk are also changing. It is thought that the generalization of online encounters creates an environment where multiple contacts can occur in a short period.
On the other hand, these results represent "suspected routes of infection" and do not necessarily identify the actual source of infection. Many STDs progress asymptomatically, making it difficult to accurately determine the time of infection or the partner. From this perspective, it is also suggested that regular testing is important regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.
In summary, these results indicate the following:
- STDs are not a problem limited to specific groups.
- Infection can sufficiently occur even between partners.
- The risk structure is changing with the diversification of encounters.
- Self-diagnosis is dangerous as STDs are often asymptomatic.
The most important aspect of STD countermeasures is not "whether the risk is high or not," but "whether there is an environment where testing is easily accessible." Creating a system that leads to early detection and early treatment is more crucial than speculating on infection routes.
Why are the hurdles to visiting a clinic high?
In this survey, the most frequently cited hurdle for visiting a clinic was "no time during the day." This was followed by "don't know where to get examined," and a certain percentage also answered, "observing because there are no symptoms."
What emerges from these results is that the barriers to consultation are more about "physical and informational hurdles" than "embarrassment."
Firstly, the most common answer, "no time," is a common challenge for modern medicine in general, not just STDs. For working generations in particular, medical institutions that only offer consultations during weekday daytime hours are difficult to access, which often leads to postponing visits.
Secondly, the answer "don't know where to get examined" indicates that STD medical care is not yet sufficiently visible. It is presumed that people do not know whether to go to internal medicine, urology, or gynecology, and information is fragmented even when searching, preventing them from taking the step to consult.
Furthermore, the answer "observing because there are no symptoms" is also important. Many STDs progress asymptomatically, and self-monitoring based on self-diagnosis can contribute to the spread of infection and severe progression.
In STD countermeasures, it is important not only to "promote awareness for consultation" but also to establish mechanisms that specifically lower these hurdles. Creating an environment that includes flexible consultation hours, clear information, consideration for anonymity, and reduced waiting times is considered key to early detection and early treatment.
Did you have symptoms when you contracted an STD?
In this survey, 73.6% of people had symptoms when they contracted an STD, while 26.4% were asymptomatic. Approximately one in four people were infected without any subjective symptoms.
However, in reality, many STDs progress asymptomatically, and there may be a considerable number of people who have not been tested because they have no symptoms. This figure represents the presence or absence of symptoms at the time "infection was confirmed," and it is presumed that the number of potential asymptomatic carriers is even higher.