STDs past 50 have become a common reality for modern adults. People live longer, healthier, lives; divorce later in life and now use online dating. All of this contributes to more sex after 50. Additionally, sex after 60 and sex after 70 is taking place at a higher rate in retirement homes, nursing homes and senior communities and most often this sex is unprotected because the fear of pregnancy is removed.
Seniors are contracting sexually transmitted diseases at a high rate. In fact the rate gets higher each year. And they are the same diseases that young people are experiencing. If you are having sex, it’s important to be open, honest and to make a plan. If you find yourself with an STD past 50 or just concerned that you may contract one, you need to be prepared.
STDs Past 50 – Everything You Need To Know
Sexually transmitted diseases increasing among post 50s can be understood for some common reasons. People might have unprotected sex because the risk of pregnancy is next to impossible. And when you put together men taking erectile enhancement pills and postmenopausal women using arousal inducing estrogen creams and progesterone; casual and unprotected sex is bound to happen. There is also a lack of sex education for people above the age of 50 alongside doctors who don’t talk to patients about sex and patients who don’t talk to doctors about their sex lives. People of all ages are having sex. It’s just a fact.
STD rates in older adults is a common and growing problem. As people age, their immune systems tend to weaken and become more susceptible to sickness and sexually transmitted infections. Also, STDs might not present symptoms and could make existing illnesses worse; causing confusion as to what the root of an actual illness or disease might be. The diagnosis of an STD just might get missed.
The most commonly reported STDs in older adults are HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea, along with AIDS and herpes.
From 2007-2011 chlamydia infections increased by 31% among adult Americans above the age of 65. Syphilis rose by 52% during this time frame. The Centers for Disease Control reports that 26% of Americans living with HIV infection in 2013 were 55 years of age or older.
There are some major surveys reporting that more than half of men and 40% of women above the age of 60 are sexually active. And a quarter of people over the age of 75 say that they are still having sex.
Your doctor might not ask you about your sexual activity and you might not feel comfortable bringing it up. But you HAVE to bring it up if you’re still having sex. You should talk to your doctor about all of your health concerns. There are steps you can take to protect and prevent STDs.
Sex is a natural part of life. Just because you age does not mean you will ever lose your desire for intimate contact. Sex after 50, 60 or 70 can be enticing and liberating for many reasons. Regardless, increasing risks of STDs means you shouldn’t have unprotected sex. Have a plan for protection, detection and prevention. Take control of your personal sex health, privately and at a minimal cost.
The best and easiest way to prevent sexually transmitted disease, while still enjoying sex, is to use a condom. Having condoms will help both and men and women; providing confidence, safety and acceptance and reduce STDs past 50. In fact, making it commonplace to have condoms or give them out to others to promote safe sex will make it much less uncomfortable to promote and have safe sex.
Know the signs and get tested. And tell a friend. And tell that friend to tell a friend. Understand that you might not know or see signs of an STD. STDS can mimic other disease and signs of aging, so be proactive in protecting yourself. You have options for testing yourself at home, in private and at a reasonable cost. There are several STD blood test options for testing gonorrhea, syphilis, AIDS, HIV, chlamydia and herpes. Getting tested for HIV and AIDS at least once, is a good idea according to the CDC while getting tested for chlamydia, herpes, syphilis and gonorrhea once year is a good plan of attack if you are sexually active. This should be repeated with each new sexual partner you have.
Let’s face it. Age does not protect you from the increasing risk of STDs past 50. Don’t wait until it’s too late. In fact, start early and get ahead by having a prevention plan that includes both protection and detection.
Get LabCorp STD testing or Quest Diagnostics Lab near you.
