New research has blown apart a long-standing myth that people over the age of 50 do not have as active a sex life as their younger counterparts.
The MEDSBURG nursing journal reported that those in the over-50 age bracket was enjoying extremely active sex lives. Unfortunately, the journal reported that they were also getting sexually transmitted diseases, with a rise in such illnesses revealed.
Rates of diseases including HIV/AIDS, human papilloma virus (HPV), syphilis and herpes were all found to be on the rise.
Co-authors of the MEDSBURG nursing journal report, Lisa Jeffers and Mary DiBartolo, told The Sacramento Bee, “Unfortunately, the common misconception still persists that people over 50 are no longer sexually active.
"As a result, health care providers often do not discuss risky sexual behaviours and STD prevention with middle-aged and older adults.”
The number of over 50s with HIV/AIDS rose from 17 per cent in 2001 to 24 per cent in 2005, whilst the number of those aged over 40 with Syphilis climbed from 4.0 to 4.8 individuals, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Those with Chlamydia increased from 33.4 to 37 per 100,000 of the population, whilst those with gonorrhoea rose from 40.9 to 45.1.
Jeffers and DiBartolo added, “Initiatives need to be developed to assist older adults in coping with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
“Support networks could help them on a personal level, and government agencies, insurance companies, senior organisations like AARP, and communities should promote awareness by including STD facts in newsletters and other publications,” the authors added.
RSS
