Shocking
rise in sexually transmitted diseases in the over 50s!
What you don’t know CAN hurt you!
What you don’t know CAN hurt you!
Don't be blasé!
Over the last couple of decades, the medical profession has
aimed their STD awareness campaigns at young people aged 16 to 25. Overall it
has been successful, however, in many ways it has backfired. By constantly targeting
the young there has been a dramatic rise in STDs diagnosed within the 50 to 90
age group. Should we be surprised? Probably not!
Staggeringly, it’s not just the easier to treat STDs that are
rising such as chlamydia diagnosis which has increased by 75% in the last ten
years. Frighteningly the incidence of those over 50 seeking treatment for HIV
has increased by 82% since the beginning of the 21st century. This phenomenon
has been ongoing for several years now and doesn’t look likely to stop unless
we address the issue ourselves!
Why the rise?
Well, there are many reasons that can be, largely, put down to medical and cultural changes that the
new over 50s and above are experiencing.
Divorce is no longer taboo in most cultures. Increasingly we
are not prepared to live in a miserable relationship once the children are
older. This means there are a heck of a lot of new singles on the market who
want a sexual relationship and might even for the first time in a lot of years
be experimenting with several partners. And why not. The over 50s are having
more casual sex than ever before. Now that is great, but with this comes risks
that must be addressed whether one is 20 or 65!
Research shows that men over 50 seem to have a scary lack of
understanding when it comes to using condoms! 70% of men from this group do not
think to use a condom when having sex with a partner they have recently met.
Women don’t do much better to be honest! Of women researched aged between 58
and 93, 50% did not use a condom with a new partner.
Another reason for not using contraception and practising safe
sex is “I’m post-menopausal so I can’t get pregnant”! No shit Sherlock, but you can
still get hideous STDS! PUT A BLOODY CONDOM ON IT!
Until you have both been tested and have the paperwork, you need to make
it very clear that the old bare back riding aint going to happen! NO PAPERWORK, NO
NAKED WILLIES!
It might be that your man, assuming your partner is male, is
not keen to fiddle about with a condom because he might get an attack of droopy
willy. In all fairness, there is some medical truth here. Condoms restrict
blood flow which will only exacerbate floppy willy syndrome. Get him down to
his GP to get a script for Viagra. If he won’t do that then you have options –
no sex, female condom or speak to your GP about a different barrier method.
If your partner is a woman, don’t think you are exempt from
catching STDs. You can get them. Penetrative sex is not a precondition!
All people who are sexually active whether straight, gay or
bisexual or unlabelled should never share sex toys (eugh!)) Always keep them
scrupulously clean and if in doubt pop a condom on any penetrative toys.
So, I have banged on, pardon the pun, about getting tested
and paperwork to stay safe, how do you go about getting it done?
It’s easy, visit
your GP or local sexual health clinic. Many peeps prefer the clinic as it is
more anonymous. Let me tell you however there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed
about…..you are looking after your precious body. It is actually possible these
days to get tests that can be done in the privacy of your own home. Chlamydia
should be the absolute essential test if you do nothing else. It is so common
and nearly always symptomless! All it takes is a quick urine test! If you or
your partner test positive, there is treatment! To find out more about the most
common STDs, symptoms and treatment watch the companion slide show I have created!
As strong women, over 50 and beyond we always talk about how
nothing fazes us anymore. So, take the bull by the horn(s) and be open with any
new partner about your expectations re their sexual health. Ask them for proof that
they are clean. Share that you have been tested. You are strong wise women, so don’t
go all shy and coy about your sexuality. Your life depends upon it!
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For information to find your local clinic click here
To read more about common STDs, symptoms and treatments click here.
Please can I ask you to share this article on your social
media? It is so important yet people barely speak about their sexual health.
Perhaps the shy will read this and act!
Have a fantastic day,
Namaste
Janie S xxx
Founder XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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