When we think of someone getting tested for chlamydia, we probably don’t picture a 60-year-old woman or an 80-year-old man. Our society tends to think of sex as something young people do. But Americans are living longer, staying healthier and having sex into their 60s, 70s and beyond.
On the one hand, this is great news—we should all be able to enjoy sex as much as we want. At the same time, sexually transmitted infections (STDs) among the elderly have increased dramatically in recent decades, and we’re still not talking about it.
Older adults still have sex
A National survey 2022 from the AARP found that most older adults have regular intercourse. More than half (52%) of those 50 and over said they had had sex in the week before the survey, and 25% of those in that age group said they usually have sex once a week. This included 17% of respondents who were 70 years of age or older.
A similar research from the University of Michigan Also done in 2022, it found that 53% of women aged 50-64 and 30% of women aged 65-80 reported sexual activity, including fondling, foreplay, masturbation or intercourse.
STDs in older adults
While younger people still account for most STD cases each year, infections among older adults are steadily increasing. Among people aged 55 and over from 2012 to 2022:
In 2023, there were over 17,000 cases of chlamydia in people aged 55-64 and over 3,700 cases in people aged 65 and over. Similarly, there were over 15,600 cases of gonorrhea in people aged 55-64 and about 3,600 cases in people aged 65 and over. In 2023, about 3,800 cases of syphilis were reported in people aged 55-64 and just over 1,000 in people aged 65 and over. (Syphilis is less common in all age groups.)
Why STDs are on the rise in this age group
Experts have a number of theories as to why STDs are on the rise among the elderly. As mentioned, people are living longer and having more sex. This may be a result of improved overall health, relaxed attitudes about sexual behavior and medications that help men with erectile dysfunction to have sex later in life.
But there are other factors at play. Many seniors find themselves divorced or widowed after a long-term monogamous relationship and returning to the dating pool. And many live in retirement communities or nursing homes that end up acting as a sex network.
A sexual network is a group of people connected through sexual relations. Whether a person is exposed to STDs has more to do with their sexual network than their behavior. Two people with similar behaviors may have very different chances of being exposed to STDs depending on the networks they belong to.
In many retirement communities and nursing homes, there are more men than women (because women tend to live longer). If men have multiple partners, STDs can spread quickly through this sexual network.
Much of the problem, however, is one of perception. Older people don’t see themselves as people who need to worry about STDs, and society doesn’t see them that way. This means they don’t take precautions like using condoms and getting tested. It also means that public health campaigns and health care providers aren’t focusing on these issues, so older people don’t get the reminders that younger people do.
Additional Topics for Menopausal Women
Older women may also be more likely to get some STDs for biological reasons. After menopause, lower estrogen levels can lead to thinning and drying of vaginal tissues, making tiny tears more likely during intercourse. These changes combined with a weaker immune system can increase the chance of certain infections.
In addition, vaginal dryness, irritation, urinary symptoms, and discomfort during sex are common after menopause. These can be symptoms of an STD, but many women may just assume it’s normal for their age. This can delay testing and treatment.
STD prevention at all ages
Sexual health has no age limit and STDs can affect anyone who is sexually active. The same prevention strategies that work for younger people work for older people: talking with partners, using condoms, getting tested, and seeking immediate treatment if symptoms appear.
Public health experts, health care providers, and older adults themselves need to start thinking about STD prevention and talking about it more openly. And we all need to remember that sex is not just for the young.
