What’s causing this STD spike? Modern medicine has increased our life spans, meaning that more widows are re-entering the dating world. At the same time, drugs like Viagra and Cialis, which have been on the market for about a decade, make sexual dysfunction a defunct concept. In addition, divorce rates continue to grow, accounting for more seniors having new sexual partners. And finally, the emergence of online dating has been particularly popular with seniors. Single men and women aged 60 and up are the fastest growing demographic in online dating, according to a study by Bowling Green State University.
That said, STDs aren’t just affecting seniors. Caretakers are at risk for contracting STDs through the course of their work functions, and families who support their loved ones are being tasked with picking up hefty medical bills.
While the only guaranteed way to prevent 100 percent of STDs is to abstain from sex, there are steps a person can take to lower their risk of contraction. Using protection, getting tested, and being sure that your partner has been tested and shown to be disease-free are all steps that should be taken. The following is a list of the most common STDs in senior citizens, along with symptoms and courses of treatment if you think you’ve been exposed.
Chlamydia
What Is It?
Chlamydia is a common bacterial STD that affects both men and women. It can be cured easily with antibiotics, but if left untreated, can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system, making pregnancy difficult or impossible. It can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy that occurs outside the womb. The vast majority - 80 to 90 percent - of chlamydia sufferers have no symptoms, but those who do report a burning sensation while urinating, inflamed or painful pelvic region, or testicular pain. Symptoms appear one to three weeks after infection.