Sexually transmitted diseasesaren’t just a problem of the young. Older people can suffer from them, too. In fact, there are several reasons why older adults may actually be in more danger from STDs than their younger counterparts, including:
1:187 Tips For Preventing STDs
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7 Tips For Preventing STDs
The Size of the Problem
More than 60% of individuals over 60 have sex at least once a month,and yet they are rarely considered to be at risk of an STD. Furthermore, even those older adults who are no longer sexually active may still have a sexually transmitted infection for which they were never treated or screened, and the long-term neurological side effects of diseases such as HIV andsyphilismay be easily mistaken for other diseases of aging.
It is, therefore, essential that not only older adults, but the individuals who care for them, be educated aboutSTD risk. Additionally, older individuals and their caregivers need to be taught aboutsafer sex, so that they know how to reduce their risk if, and when, they choose to engage in sexual activity. Sex can be an important part of a person’s life, no matter what their age. It’s important that everyone learns how to engage in it safely so that it enhances their health rather than damages it.
HIV Is a New Problem for Older Adults
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Cervical Cancer
Every year, thousands of women in the United States die from cervical cancer.But cervical cancer is largely a preventable disease.
One of the many reasons why the incidence of cervical cancer rises so quickly in older women is that many women stop going to their gynecologist once they stop using birth control pills.
If you are a woman age 55 or older, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about how often you need to be screened for cervical cancer. Most women will need to be tested every couple of years, but certain women who are considered to be at very low risk may be able to stop screening after a certain number of negative tests.
If you have a woman in your family of that age, such as a mother or a grandmother, make certain she knows she needs to be regularly tested. It could save her life.
The Best At-Home STD Tests
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual health in menopause.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(9):559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559Harvard Health Letter.Sexually transmitted disease? At my age?Harvard Medical School.Attitudes about sexuality and aging.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV among people aged 50 and older.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.Gelband H, Jha P, Sankaranarayanan R, Horton S, eds.Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 3): Cancer. The World Bank; 2015. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-0349-9_ch4
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual health in menopause.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(9):559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559Harvard Health Letter.Sexually transmitted disease? At my age?Harvard Medical School.Attitudes about sexuality and aging.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV among people aged 50 and older.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.Gelband H, Jha P, Sankaranarayanan R, Horton S, eds.Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 3): Cancer. The World Bank; 2015. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-0349-9_ch4
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual health in menopause.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(9):559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559Harvard Health Letter.Sexually transmitted disease? At my age?Harvard Medical School.Attitudes about sexuality and aging.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV among people aged 50 and older.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.Gelband H, Jha P, Sankaranarayanan R, Horton S, eds.Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 3): Cancer. The World Bank; 2015. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-0349-9_ch4
Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual health in menopause.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(9):559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559
Harvard Health Letter.Sexually transmitted disease? At my age?
Harvard Medical School.Attitudes about sexuality and aging.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV among people aged 50 and older.
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.
Gelband H, Jha P, Sankaranarayanan R, Horton S, eds.Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 3): Cancer. The World Bank; 2015. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-0349-9_ch4
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