Rates of sexually transmitted diseases are rising among middle-aged and older people. We need to talk about this

Common rates worldwide sexually transmitted infections (STI) is increasing among people over 50 years of age. In some cases, rates are rising faster than among younger people.

Last data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that among people aged 55 and over, the incidence of gonorrhea and chlamydia, the two most common sexually transmitted diseases, more than doubled between 2012 and 2022.

Australian STI surveillance data reflects similar trends. Between 2013 and 2022, there was a steady escalate in the number of diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis among people aged 40 and older. For example, in 2013, 5,883 cases of chlamydia were reported in Australians over the age of 40, compared to 10,263 in 2022.

AND 2020 survey of Australian women also found that between 2000 and 2018, there was a greater escalate in sexually transmitted diseases among women aged 55-74 than among younger women.

Although the overall rate of common sexually transmitted diseases is highest among young adultsthe significant escalate in sexually transmitted diseases among middle-aged and older people suggests that we should pay more attention to sexual health throughout our lives.

Why are rates of sexually transmitted diseases rising among older people?

STI rates are is increasing worldwide in all age groupsand the escalate in the number of middle-aged and older people is consistent with this trend.

However, the escalate in STIs among older people is likely due to a combination changing practices around sex and relationships and hidden sexual health needs in this group.

The “boomer” generation came of age in the 1960s and 1970s. They are the generation of free love and their attitude towards sexeven as they age, it is completely different from the generations before them.

Taking into account average age of divorce in Australia is over 43 years senior, and the Internet has opened up novel possibilities dating after separationit’s not surprising that middle-aged and older people explore novel sexual practices or find multiple sexual partners.

It is also possible that middle-aged and older people have not had exposure to sexual health education at school or do not address current safe sex messageswhich are mainly aimed at youthful people. Therefore, condoms may seem unnecessary for people who are not trying to avoid pregnancy. Older people can too lack of confidence in negotiating safe sex or access to screening for sexually transmitted diseases.

Hidden sexual health needs

In current life, the sexual lives of older people are largely hidden. It is often associated with aging and an older body loss of power and attractivenesswhich is reflected in the stereotype of older people as asexual and in derogatory jokes about older people having sex.

WITH some exceptionswe see few positive representations of older sexual bodies in film and television.

The sexuality of older people is also largely hidden in public policy. In Australian Politics Review In relation to sexual and reproductive health, researchers found that middle-aged and older people were rarely mentioned.

Sexual health policies tend to target groups with the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases, which excludes most older people. Because middle-aged and older people are beyond reproductive age, they are also not included in reproductive health policies. This means a general lack of any policy regarding sex or sexual health among middle-aged and older people.

Moreover, sexual health policy focuses on risk rather than sexual well-being. Sexual well-beingincluding freedom and the ability to enjoy sexis strongly linked to the overall health and quality of life of adults of all ages. Including sexual well-being as a policy priority would enable a focus on safe and sound and respectful sex and relationships throughout adult life.

Without this priority, we have restricted knowledge about what promotes sexual well-being as people age and restricted funding for initiatives to engage with midlife and older adults on these issues.

How can we support the sexual health and well-being of older people?

Most sexually transmitted diseases can be easily cured. Serious complications however, it can occur when sexually transmitted diseases go undiagnosed and untreated for long periods of time. If left untreated, sexually transmitted diseases can also be passed on to others.

Overdue diagnosis is not uncommon because some STIs may cause no symptoms and many people do not routinely screen for STIs. Older heterosexual adults are generally less likely to do so than other groups seek regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases.

For middle-aged and older people, STIs may also be diagnosed behind schedule because some are diagnosed too behind schedule doctors don’t start testing for fear of offending or assume that the risk of sexually transmitted diseases among older people is negligible.

Many doctors do are reluctant to talk about sexual health with older patients unless the patient specifically raises the issue. However, older people may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable raising issues related to sex.

A good first step would be resources for healthcare professionals and patients to facilitate conversations about sexual health and STI screening with older patients.

We must also ensure that we address the rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases among middle-aged and older people. sexual health promotion targets these age groups and improves access to clinical services.

More broadly, it is vital to consider ways to ensure sexual well-being is a priority in midlife and older adulthood policy and practice.

A comprehensive approach to older adults’ sexual health that explicitly highlights the importance of sex and intimacy in people’s lives will enhance our ability to respond more effectively to sexual health and STI prevention across the lifespan.