Research from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston shows men in their 50s are six times less likely to use condoms than 20-year-olds.
Not only are seniors less likely to have protected sex, but the rate of STDs in seniors is also growing.
STDs among seniors
What’s going on with seniors’ sex lives? The rate of STDs has climbed by 50% since 1996 in seniors, according to the Centers for Disease Control. STDs that are the most common are: HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea.
Men taking erectile dysfunction medications are also twice as likely to have an STD compared to those not taking an enhancing medication.
What’s the reason for all of this unprotected sex? Researchers say the risk of pregnancy drops off significantly for women over 50, so many don’t believe there’s a need for condoms.
In addition, divorce rates are higher than they once were so men and women are more likely to have multiple partners later in life.
Taking precautions
Just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have safe sex – that’s the message researchers want to drive home with this study.
Men who are experiencing trouble getting or keeping an erection should speak with their doctor about a medication like Viagra to enjoy a healthy sex life, but that doesn’t mean your sexual encounters should go unprotected.
Education about condom use is still necessary as men and women age.
If you’re concerned about having safe sex, or believe you may have an STD talk with your doctor.
While you may be surprised by these sexual trends in seniors, it’s important to be aware of them and even consider having “the talk” with seniors in your life to make sure they’re taking proper precautions.
We specialize in providing our over 1,000,000 customers with relevant product and condition information created by our professional editorial staff which includes our team of medical writers, medical practitioners, and health educators. eDrugStore.com Staff on Facebook