Safe Sex

[K-man]

This little gem turned up on our late night television tonight.

Not quite sure what to think!

http://safersex4seniors.org/ :eye-popping:

 

[Gnarlie]

K-Man, I just read straight on from that site to your signature line. Now that's funny.

 

[Buka]

You mean my grammy might be having sex? Noooooooo!

 

[shesulsa]

The opposite of porn right there.

 

[K-man]

Actually I did post it for discussion, not voyeurism! (It's not like buying Penthouse to read the articles. )

My thoughts on Florida are coloured by the Dustin Hoffman movie, Midnight Cowboy. (it can't possibly be over 40 years ago.) Rizzo heading off to Florida. We had a similar retired population on our "Gold Coast" where lots of older folk were lured north to an area of mild climate and great beaches. That, coupled with no death duties (while the rest of the country had them) ensured a population explosion among the elderly. Unfortunately the social infrastructure to support such a population was not available and there were significant social issues.

However, for those who actually looked beyond the clip, there was the claim that STDs in Florida had increased in the elderly by about 70%.

Recent statistics from the CDC have shown that the number of new HIV infections is actually growing faster in individuals over 50 than in people 40 years and under, and HIV may just be the tip of the iceberg. Numerous factors have contributed to the increase in sexually transmitted diseases in the elderly, and many of them stem from a single problem. Namely, clinicians and scientists don't spend enough time thinking, or talking, about older individuals having sex. Not only are the elderly usually overlooked in many STD studies, but they are frequently less likely to get screened for STDs than their younger counterparts.

http://std.about.com/od/stdsspecificcommunities/a/elderlystd.htm




​

There are many references to this issue.

(CBS) Rates of sexually transmitted diseases have doubled among 50- to 90-year-olds in the past decade.
PICTURES: Dangerous sex: 27 vintage STD postersAnd the authors of a new editorial want to know why.According to the editorial, an estimated 80 percent of 50- to 90-year-olds are sexually active. This activity has contributed to rises in cases of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea among 45- to 64-year-olds in the U.S. and the U.K.
According to CDC estimates, there were almost 900 cases of syphilis in 45 to 64-year-olds in 2000, and in 2010, the number grew to more than 2,500. In the elderly age group, 6,700 people were diagnosed with chlamydia in 2000; by 2010? 19,000. The number of new HIV diagnoses in people over 50 has also doubled between 2000 and 2009, according to the editorial's authors.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_...smitted-disease-rates-rise-among-elderly-why/​

Now the next interesting point is that when you look for Australian data it is conspicuous by its absence, not that it should be any different from the US or UK.

 

[Jenna]

This is interesting material you have found. I was not aware of these incidences at all. I heard of increases among over 45 here in the UK though I think like clinicians and probably the active senior generations also, I am guilty of stereotpying too. It is discomfiting that stereotyping can cause really dangerous harm to health. And it is a horribly serious message in the video yet it is done in a light and fun way. Thank you for posting this. I think it is wise and useful when these kind of topics are given air. +1

 

[Sukerkin]

I am surprised at the stat given in the clip - but of course, as ever with such numbers, without the baseline we have no idea what kind of risk factor a 71% increase is. Nonetheless, I applaud both the recognition of sex beyond retirement age and the notion that there is no expiry date on being cautious about your health.