Seniors Underestimate Sex Risk

Seniors having sex is a great thing. There are treatments for some of the age-related sexual problems for men and women. Seniors are more open about sex and sex is becoming a healthy part of aging. But, as with sex for younger people, sex carries risk. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a risk even for the oldest of old having sex.

Seniors Having Sex

In a survey (done by the UK government), around 20% of men and women aged 45 to 54 years old admitted to having unsafe sex with someone (other than a long-term partner) in the past five years. Having unsafe sex leaves both parties at risk for HIV, herpes, syphilis and other infections. Not only that, those same people may also have unprotected sex with their spouses or long-term partners, putting them at risk too.

Seniors and Unsafe Sex

The problem seems to be that seniors just don’t see sex with other seniors as unsafe. Thirty-two percent said that the risk of getting an infection from having unprotected sex (with someone other than their spouse/long-term partner) was unlikely. But that’s nothing: Twenty percent believed that their chances of picking up a sexually transmitted infection were “next to nothing.”

What Should Seniors Do?

Seniors don’t get a free pass here -- they need to use condoms, just like younger people for any sexual act outside of a committed relationship (condoms are the best protection for a majority of sexual acts, but for “more creative” sexual acts, there are other solutions). Seniors should take their health seriously and sexually transmitted infections are quite serious. As more and more seniors remain sexually active, the risk will only increase.

Sex Tips for Seniors

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Sex Tips for the Older Man

_Source:

RPSGB research carried out by YouGov between 16-18 March 2009.