You’re still at risk! Sexually transmitted diseases in over-60s

When you reach your 60s, you’re no doubt beginning to say goodbye to a number of things such as paid employment and having the kids living under the same roof, but being sexually active should certainly still be on the cards.

Regardless of age, getting hot and steamy under the sheets is something most people love doing, and – just like when you were in your 20s, 30s and 40s – sex can still be very enjoyable in later life, making you feel good and bringing you closer to that special someone.

But just because menopause may have removed the chance of women over-60 falling pregnant, this doesn’t mean protection should be forgotten. However, unfortunately, that’s exactly what many Boomers are doing and it’s putting them at great risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

In fact, a survey of sexual health behaviour conducted by Indiana University found condom use was lowest among older adults. Not only that, STDs are becoming increasingly common among the 60-plus cohort, with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and even syphilis rearing their ugly heads.

Shockingly, according to a 2017 study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, sexually transmitted infections among over-60s increased by 46 per cent between 2009 and 2013. Researchers claimed while study participants were aware of the infections through sex and symptoms, they knew less about the protection condoms can have in preventing an STD.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in Australia with a staggering 100,775 cases of the infection recorded in 2017, according to The Kirby Institute. While the younger generation made up the majority of those infected, there were still more than 9,600 over-40s who contracted the disease.

Chlamydia affects both men and women and is fairly easily spread between people by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with a person who has the infection. The bacteria – called chlamydia trachomatis – can affect the urethra, cervix, rectum, anus, throat and even the eyes, and if not treated, has the potential to lead to serious complications.

It could take a few days – or even longer – after having unprotected sex for symptoms to arise, with the most common being pain when urinating, an unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum or, for women, bleeding outside of menstruation. Worryingly though symptoms are not always present so without regular check-ups, you could go undiagnosed for months, or even years.

Though infertility may not be an issue for over-60s, chlamydia could still cause concerning health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease. But fear not, if you receive a chlamydia prognosis, a course of antibiotics should do the trick, as long as action is taken immediately.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is far less common than chlamydia, with The Kirby Institute reporting 28,364 cases in 2017. However there has still been an increase in the number of cases, with 23,875 reported in 2016.

Of those recorded in Australia, 5,451 were among those aged 40 and above, compared to 5,957 20-to-24-year-olds. As with chlamydia the infection is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with a person with the infection. If you’re a woman, you may not even realise you have it, with most not presenting any symptoms at all. Or in some cases, it’s mistaken for a bladder infection which requires different treatment.

The symptoms are quite similar to a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), including a painful or burning sensation when peeing, increased vaginal discharge or bleeding. Whereas in men the symptoms include discharge from the penis, painful or swollen testicles and a burning sensation when urinating.

Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics however, if no action is taken to treat the infection, it could lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Syphilis

Syphilis is generally not that common in Australia, however the rates have increased in recent years according to data obtained by The Kirby Institute. Between 2013 and 2017 the cases increased by a staggering 135 per cent, with a total 4,398 syphilis cases reported.

Perhaps surprisingly, it was the over-40s who were most affected, with 1,483 cases, compared to just 572 cases within the 20-to-24-year-old age bracket. The infection is contracted the same way as other STDs however, it is more common among men having male-to-male sex.

Unlike other STDs there are varying stages of the disease with symptoms worsening over time. To begin with you may notice a single painless sore on an area of the body, such as the penis, vagina, cervix, mouth or anus. But as the infection progresses further symptoms can arise including a rash, fever, headaches and ulcers in the mouth, nasal cavity or genitals. In the worst cases, symptoms can appear five to 10 years down the track and these are much more serious. The bacteria could cause heart disease, blindness, deafness and neurological problems.

Antibiotics are used to treat syphilis with follow-up appointments generally scheduled to ensure the bacteria is no longer present and is not harming the body.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.