Practice Safer Sex
You are never too old to enjoy an active sex life. In fact, about 40 percent of women aged 60 and older are sexually active, according to the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB).
However, many do not practice safe sex. Recent statistics show that seniors are contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomonas, at a higher rate than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that, between 2007 and 2011, chlamydia infections, the most common STD, increased by 21 percent and syphilis by 52 percent among those aged 65 and older. And, almost 25 percent of women in their 40s and 50s tested positive for trichomonas, says a recent survey of 7,500 women.
The main reason for this rise in STDs is that older adults do not think they are at risk, says Margaret Polaneczky, MD, a gynecologist at Weill Cornell’s Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center. “It is simply not on their radar. Older women do not have to worry about pregnancy, so they do not think about using protection.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
These tips can help you enjoy a healthy sex life:
➤ Use a vaginal moisturizer on a regular basis to help with vaginal dryness, or talk with your doctor about whether vaginal estrogen may be a good option for you.
➤ Stay physically active. The healthier you are, the more sexual activity you can enjoy.
➤ As you face age-related physical changes and limitations, you may need to adapt to new positions and patterns of foreplay. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
STD symptoms
Many STDs have mild or no symptoms; they often get overlooked, or are considered just a normal part of aging.
For instance, chlamydia causes a burning sensation when you urinate, vaginal discharge, and/or pain in the lower abdomen. Syphilis causes sores that often are mistaken for an ingrown hair or a harmless bump. However, as it develops, it can become a non-itchy rash that may appear on the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, all over your body, or in only a few places. Hallmark signs of trichomonas include genital itching and burning while urinating.
Chlamydia and trichomonas are treated with single or multiple dosages of antibiotics, while penicillin is the preferred treatment for syphilis. Left untreated, STDs can lead to cancer and damage major organs, such as your heart, kidneys, and brain.
A longer sex life
The rise in STDs among older adults, especially women, has to do with how we live—and how long. “People are living longer, healthier lives, which is one reason they can remain sexually active,” says Dr. Polaneczky. Another reason is the growing emergence of senior living communities. Previously, many older adults had limited interaction with people their own age—but that has changed.
“There is a new and different dynamic among older adults. They are living closer together in tight-knit communities with ongoing social contacts, they have more time on their hands, and they are away from family members,” says Dr. Polaneczky. “It is ‘brave new world’ territory.”
A touchy subject
One barrier to safe sex is that, for many seniors, sex is an awkward topic. “A high percentage of sexually active adults may not be comfortable discussing their sexual health,” says Dr. Polaneczky. Often, issues of protection and recent sexual history are not addressed. “Make sure to have an open and honest talk with your partner about his or her sexual past,” advises Dr. Polaneczky. If you hesitate due to embarrassment, think about how much more uncomfortable it would be to tell your partner that you have an STD.
Protect yourself
STDs usually are spread through intercourse, so the best means of protection is to use a condom, says Dr. Polaneczky, although she acknowledges that doing so may present obstacles.
“Women often have to deal with vaginal dryness, and men may deal with erectile dys-function, and adding something like condoms to the mix can seem too troublesome,” she says. In fact, condoms were used in only six percent of sexual encounters among older adults, ac-cording to the NSSHB. “Still, the simplest way to protect yourself is to use a new condom every time you have sex,” says Dr. Polaneczky.
She also recommends that both parties agree to screening for STDs before beginning sexual relations, especially if either person has engaged in recent casual sex. STD screenings can be conducted at your doctor’s office with a basic urine test (chlamydia and trichomonas) and blood test (syphilis). If you are on Medicare Part B, you are covered for screenings for chlamydia, syphilis, and other STDs once every 12 months.
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