Sexually Transmitted Infections Among the Elderly

As human beings age, they become more susceptible to illnesses. Chronic diseases
become more common in late adulthood. Although aging does indue some changes in the sexual
performance among the elderly, sexually transmitted illnesses still affect people in their late
adulthood phase of development. This is the case because a considerable percentage of
individuals in their late adulthood stage remain sexually active. Studies show that more adults
above the age of 60 remain sexually active as long as they remain healthy (Santrock, 2018).
However, divorce rates are more common among the elderly than in early adulthood. Thus, most
of them engage in sexual activities with individuals who are not their partners. High divorce
rates, low risk of getting pregnant, and a lack of knowledge about STIs among the elderly are the
main causes of a high prevalence of these infections.
High divorce rates and the loss of a partner forces the elderly to re-enter the dating scene.
Older adults who have been in monogamous relationships for a significant part of their lives are
rendered single upon the loss of a partner or through a divorce. Due to the sense of safety that
they have enjoyed for years within their marriages, they do not perceive themselves as being at
risk of contracting STIs. They thus end up engaging in risky sexual behavior, and this exposes
them to STIs.
Besides, women within this age bracket do not see themselves at risk of getting pregnant
and thus do not consider using condoms for protection. These individuals tend to associate STI s
with the younger generation, and they think that they are safe because they are old. Additionally,
physiological changes associated with aging, such as reduced estrogen levels, can expose women
to the risk. Decreased estrogen makes women experience increased dryness and thinning of the

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vaginal mucosa (Johnson, 2013). Such changes make the vagina more susceptible to bruises and
abrasions during intercourse, and this increases the risk of viral infections, which could lead to
STIs.
Statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the number of
people infected with STIs and aged above 65 years has doubled in the last decade (Smith et al.,
2020). The elderly have many misconceptions ad inaccurate information about STIs, and this
exposes them to the risks of getting infected (Smith et al., 2020). Health care providers also
report that older adults do not like discussing sexual health. Older adults do not ask questions
neither do they raise concerns about their sexual health. They are thus disadvantaged as they
have access to limited educational opportunities. These individuals also have less access to
interventions that can help engage in safe sexual activity and thus reduce the risk of STI. Limited
education on STIs makes the elderly engage in risky sexual behaviors. They have a reduced
frequency of using condoms, and this leaves them exposed to these infections.
The elderly are at risk of contracting STIs, but they can make changes in their sexual
lives to make the experience safe for them and their partners. For instance, women in this stage
of development can use estrogen creams to reduce discomfort during sexual activity. These will
help reduce the risk of abrasions that could potentially lead to the contraction of infections
(Johnson, 2013). They will be able to engage in increased sexual activity without exposing
themselves to the risk of contracting STIs. They should also ask about available vaginal
lubricants that they could use to avoid abrasions during sexual activity.
Additionally, education should be provided to the elderly population on safe sex, STIs,
sex in general and how to communicate with a partner about sex to enhance safety. Sex
education should be provided to both women and men above the age of 60 even if they do not

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ask questions since they may never ask these questions; health care providers should volunteer
the information in a way that is comfortable to both parties (Johnson, 2013). Nurses charged with
providing this education should approach the topic with a genuine, non-judgmental and
accepting attitude. At first, they should inform the older adults about the physiological changes
that occur with age. Some of these include delayed penile erection and vaginal dryness. They
should also include information on available vaginal lubricants as well as signs and symptoms of
an infection and when to seek treatment.
Overall, older adults who are sexually active should consider the risks involved. It is
important that they equip themselves with the right information, go for STI testing and screening,
engage in safe sex, and openly discuss their sexual practices with their partners. The elderly
should also be aware of the bodily and physiological changes that they will experience as a result
of aging and seek appropriate assessment and testing whenever necessary. Besides, nurses and
health care providers should be generous with information on sexual health to ensure that these
individuals are safe and engage in safe sex. Whenever sick, they should be directed on where to
seek proper treatment as it is important for their general health.

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References

Johnson, B. K. (2013). Sexually transmitted infections and older adults. Journal of
Gerontological Nursing, 39(11), 53-60.
Santrock, J. W. (2018). Life-span development.
Smith, M. L., Bergeron, C. D., Goltz, H. H., Coffey, T., & Boolani, A. (2020). Sexually
Transmitted Infection Knowledge among Older Adults: Psychometrics and Test–Retest
Reliability. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(7),
2462.