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Sex diseases rocket in over-45 age group


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Sexually transmitted diseases have doubled in people over 45 and are now rising faster than in the young. Men are most likely to be affected, with increases in herpes, syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital warts.

A recent Health Protection Agency (HPA) study shows that the number of sexually transmitted infections is rising in both young and old. However, the increase for older people is significantly higher. The overall rate of infections in the over-45 age group more than doubled between 1996 and 2003. Genital warts and herpes were the most commonly diagnosed diseases.

Tragically, the sexual health of men and women of this age group is largely neglected. Dr Babatunde Olowokure, from the HPA's regional surveillance unit in Birmingham, said: "Sexual health strategies have rightly focused on the under-25s but our results indicate that sexual risk-taking behaviour is not confined to young persons but is also an increasing trend in the over-45s. Services are geared towards young people, campaigns are targeted at the under 25s so over-45s think that sexual health has nothing to do with them and don't even know when they're taking risks."

According to the HPA study, internet dating, erectile dysfunction drugs, overlapping sexual networks and international travel were partly to blame. Dr Olowokure points out that "older people are increasingly likely to be single or undergoing relationship changes and are less likely to consistently use condoms, perhaps because the risk of pregnancy no longer exists."
JanaPokana

13 responses // Sex diseases rocket in over-45 age group

  • hey this is my age group and i cant tell u how many friends are dealing with STDs. some needed a crash course in condoms and others felt they couldnt get anything because of their age. if u r dating u need protection. 40 year olds are the most likely to get pregnant with that surprise baby!!!!!!!!! your body changes and u have to keep up with the times and your libido, get some yall but STAY SAFE!!!!
    owner1
  • WHOA that age group is years away from me and all i can think of is.... seriously? old people have sex... weird
    kewal91
  • There's an unintended consequence of Viagra and alike.
    eldamon
  • whew dodged that bullet...wooohooo!!
    Blackfoot777
  • Makes sense. At 40 many men and women have probably had vasectomies/hysterectomies, thus they likely do not see a point to using any type of protection anymore.
    VigorousAlloy
  • I just wonder about the potentially successful strategies that can and must be developed in order to reach out to this emerging new target group. I mean, sexual health campaigns so far have always aimed for a much younger age group and I think in order to successfully communicate with people over the age of 45, you need to come up with a lot of new ideas and concepts that actually make sense to them and raise their awareness.
    JanaPokana
  • Good point, JanaPokana! I just think it is crazy that people did not consider this before even though sex drugs and internet dating, etc. are often aimed directly at this age group! Obviously, there were going to be problems!
    dadapapa
  • It's all those Viagra and k-y warming oil commercials!
    shroomfairy
  • i just found out recently that my father has herpes. no this isn't funny at all...
    neutralmilkhotel
    1 response to this
  • Wow. I'd like to try out that third condom on the top.
    Neghie
  • note to self...do not sleep with the elderly...er cougars

    note to self...remember you have a gf
    BrianMcFayden
  • People at the age of 50 or more that are sexually active should also be informed, and also tested for VD. What!! Does a penis or vagina just dry up and fold away at that age or something? Please....HIV/AIDS effects the masses, and it needs to be discussed and addressed more to those that age at the age of 50 or more. At places like nursing homes, churches or the like.
    passjay

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