Sex diseases 'double in over-45s'
Pastor Dale Morgan
Sex diseases 'double in over-45s'*
BBC - Sexually-transmitted infections have doubled in under a decade in
people over 45 and are now rising faster than in the young, research
suggests.
The Health Protection Agency study said internet dating and erectile
dysfunction drugs were partly to blame.
Men were most likely to be affected, with increases in herpes, syphilis,
gonorrhoea and genital warts.
The study, published in Sexually Transmitted Infections, looked at those
attending GUM clinics.
Tragically, the sexual health of men and women of this age group is
largely neglected-Julie Bentley-FPA
The number of sexually transmitted infections is rising in both young
and old, despite sexual health campaigns urging people to avoid unsafe sex.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) looked at people coming to clinics in
the West Midlands between 1996 and 2003.
The vast majority of these were younger people - accounting for more
than 95% in 2003.
However, the proportion of over-45s rose during the preceding eight years.
In total, 4,445 infections were detected in older people, with genital
warts accounting for almost half of these diagnoses.
Herpes was the next most common, with one-in-five diagnoses.
Men and women aged 55 to 59 were most likely to have an STI compared,
with men more highly represented than women.
The overall rate of infections more than doubled over the eight-year
period from 16.7 per 100,000 population to 36.3 per 100,0000.
This meant a significantly higher increase for the older compared with
younger patients.
No condoms
Dr Babtunde Olowokure, from the HPA's regional surveillance unit in
Birmingham, said: "Sexual health strategies have rightly focused on the
under-25s but our results indicate that sexual risk-taking behaviour is
not confined to young persons but is also an increasing trend in the
over-45s.
Sex is not the preserve of the young and gonorrhoea and syphilis are no
respecters of age-Lisa Power-Terrence Higgins Trust
"Older people are increasingly likely to be single or undergoing
relationship changes and are less likely to consistently use condoms,
perhaps because the risk of pregnancy no longer exists.
"Increased international travel, internet dating, new drugs to counter
erectile dysfunction and overlapping sexual networks may also be factors."
Julie Bentley, the chief executive of the sexual health charity FPA,
said: "We've also noticed a rise in the numbers of over-45s phoning our
helpline.
"Tragically, the sexual health of men and women of this age group is
largely neglected and its something we are increasingly concerned about.
"Services are geared towards young people, campaigns are targeted at the
under 25's so over-45s think that sexual health has nothing to do with
them and don't even know when they're taking risks."
Lisa Power, of the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Sex is not
the preserve of the young and gonorrhoea and syphilis are no respecters
of age.
"People coming out of long-term relationships may be unaware of the
risks of not using a condom.
"Rates of infections are far higher than 10 or 20 years ago, so remember
to use condoms and get a check up if you are concerned."
The government said using a condom was "relevant for anyone having
unsafe sex...regardless of age".
A Department for Health spokesman said: "Information about safer sex is
available to everyone who needs it and our target to offer appointments
at GUM clinics within 48 hours by March 2008 has improved access for all."