Increasing Incidences of STD Among Seniors
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Increasing Incidences of STD Among Seniors

January 22, 2019 | Health | By Amanda Johnson

The Center for Disease Control revealed that the percentage of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), like syphilis and chlamydia, among senior citizens has been increasing over the years and this is not just restricted to the United States but even is prevalent in Britain. This has been not only because the population at this age of over 50 is being rampantly sexually active but also because they are not availing the medical screening services that has been made available to them. Let’s discuss a little more in detail as to why this is happening.

Why The Rise In STD Among Seniors

Living Longer, Having More Sex

As medical breakthroughs keep happening, the lifespan of people is also increasing. That not only means that they are living longer, but they are also living a more healthy life to the extent that they are partaking in sexual activity even after 50. For men, testosterone supplements and medications like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are doing their work well indeed. Not to be left behind, women are also using progesterone and estrogen creams so as to remain sexually active. With those who are single, and America has a high divorce rate; this then is turning into exploration of new options. If the individual has a swinger’s lifestyle then he would be having sex with multiple partners. Often, this leads to contacting STDs.

Not Educated About STDs

Those in heir 50s are often not aware of STDs as much as the younger generation is. The most that they have grown up knowing that condoms need to be used to avoid pregnancy. But now that the woman who he is dating is likely to have reached menopause, that is not an issue anymore. So, the men feel that they can have unprotected intercourse. This is where the issue happens especially if the partner is a new one. Since he is not is not aware of her past sexual history, STD can always be contacted. Hence, it is always advisable to use protection while having sex.

 Immunity Falls With Age

With age ones immunity goes down and he/she becomes more susceptible to diseases – including communicable diseases like STDs. For example, women above 50 have their vaginal tissues thinning and the natural lubrication of it also falls. This can cause micro-tears and abrasions in the vagina during sex and thus increase the probability of transmission STDs.

STD Stays Undetected And So Is Passed On

Often STDs stay undetected for a long period of time and hence its treatment also starts late. Also, the older generation is often embarrassed to ask about STD during their health check ups. If detection does not happen at the right time then issues happen:

  • Undetected STD means the chances of spreading it to the partner is more
  • Even if the body is fighting the STD the chances of catching other infections due to the lower immunity is more

The Danger Of Non Detection

  • Since many STDs do not have symptoms, one often doesn’t realize till it is too late
  • At times, doctors diagnose symptoms like fatigue and nausea incorrectly and don’t link it to STDs.

If an STD is not diagnosed at the right time then the person is unlikely to benefit from the treatment as much as he/she would have had it got detected at the initial stages. This is especially true for STDs like AIDS. At a later stage the damage is done and complications like heart diseases can occur due to it. Sometimes it can be fatal as well.

The only way that the incidence of STDs can be brought down amongst the seniors is by educating them more about it, by telling them that during their regular health checks ups they should get themselves checked for STDs especially if they have an active sex life, and by having protected sex. Maybe bars and pubs should starts giving free condoms to those above 50 as well!

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