Why did the term sexually transmitted disease replace the older term venereal disease?

The term "venereal disease" (VD), which historically denoted any disease transmitted through sexual intercourse, fell out of favor during the late 20th century. It was largely replaced by the more comprehensive terms "sexually transmitted disease" (STD) and "sexually transmitted infection" (STI) to better reflect the nature and scope of these conditions.1

While "venereal" is derived from the Latin Venerius (relating to Venus, the goddess of love and sexual desire), the newer terminology is considered more descriptive and accurate in a modern medical context. These updated terms encompass a broader range of infections and recognize that while these diseases are typically spread through direct sexual contact, they can also be transmitted through other means, such as from mother to child during birth or via the sharing of contaminated needles.231