Women 'avoiding sexual health check-ups to save money'

A new report the Dublin Well Woman Centres has found women are avoiding sexual health check-ups in a bid to save money.

The annual report for 2010 has found that there has been a drop in the number of women accessing services for STI testing, emergency contraception and fertility advice.

The drop is being blamed on the recession and women opting to save their money for other bills.

CEO of the Dublin Well Woman Centres Alison Begas said the change could have serious consequences.

"Testing for something like chlamidya is as little as €15...and if chlamidya is not detected it can go on to cause a lot of serious health consequences down the line, including infertility and ectopic pregnancy," she said.