STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are up amongst senior citizens. According to the British Medical Journal, all but 20% of 50 to 90-yr old people are still sexually active. In this demographic, STD’s have more than doubled in the past 10 years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Research (CDC) provide statistics that indicate that syphilis and chlamydia for those 45-64 nearly tripled in the last decade. Reports of gonorrhea are up as well.
Elderly people are more at risk for catching HIV infection than are younger people. Older people tend to think that they are not at risk. Many admit to risky behavior like unprotected sex because they can no longer get pregnant. Cultural changes, such as an increase in male performance-enhancing drugs, may have also led to more STD’s among seniors.
Maybe it’s the Viagra. Maybe it’s the lack of “Sex-Ed” in high school. Maybe it’s thinking that condoms are just for birth control. Maybe it’s that more and more seniors are living in retirement communities, which are social hotspots for single seniors.
At any rate, Kids, it’s time to turn the table and have that sex talk with your parents and grandparents. Remember, they were just as uncomfortable having “The Talk” with you. And if you shudder at the thought, ask their healthcare provider to add Sex Ed information to their older patients’ regular checkups.