Get tested and talk to your partner: how to have safer sex after age 50
At 51, I want many more years of a healthy, happy sex life. So I decided to compile my own guide
TL;DR
- STI rates are increasing in adults aged 55 and older, with rates for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis significantly rising.
- Older adults may overlook STI symptoms, mistaking them for age-related conditions, which can delay treatment.
- Factors contributing to rising STI rates include a lack of sex education, misconceptions about partners' sexual activity, and increased use of dating apps.
- General practitioners may not be adequately trained in sexual health and aging, making it essential for patients to initiate these conversations.
- Safer sex practices for older adults include regular testing, open communication with partners, consistent use of barrier protection, and considering prophylactic medications and vaccines.
- STIs can be transmitted through bodily fluids or direct skin-to-skin contact, and some infections can be asymptomatic.
- Testing for STIs varies but can include urine samples, blood draws, or swabs, and it's important to request specific tests like for herpes.
- Many STIs are manageable or curable with early treatment, and advancements in prevention and treatment options offer good news for sexually active older adults.