Over 45s ‘unaware of safe sex’

LONDON - People over 45-year-of-age are apparently ignorant about the need to use condoms in a new relationship, a UK charity has warned.

Almost 13,000 men and women over 45 were diagnosed with a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) last year - double the number in 2000, according to UK data analysed by the Family Planning Association (FPA).

The charity has launched a campaign to highlight the issue, called The Middle-age Spread, targeted at older age groups but particularly the over-50s.

It said people coming out of long-term relationships are using websites, social networks and holidays to date again but too many are “apparently oblivious to the need for safer sex and the importance of condoms”.

Julie Bentley of the FPA said this group was also more likely to be embarrassed about STIs and therefore less likely to seek help.

“There is very little sexual health information and services for this age group, and current campaigns, however good, are exclusively for the young,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

“Sex is something very personal, we can all find it difficult to talk about and this can be particularly true for older generations.Many people, relieved contraception is no longer an issue, forget about using condoms.

“Others haven’t had to think about using condoms for decades, let alone go into a shop and buy them.

“Worries about confidentiality stop them going to clinics which tend to be more geared for young people.

“We celebrate the positive and fulfilling sexuality of the over-50s, but we also have to get the message across that STIs don’t care about greying hair and a few wrinkles.

“This is a concerning situation which unless we take action now is only going to get worse,” she said. (ANI)