People over 50 are more sexually active and therefore more likely to become infected with sexually transmitted diseases. Medical societies warn against this. “Sexuality in old age is still a taboo topic in our society – with dramatic consequences when you look at the numbers on sexually transmitted infections (STIs),” said the President of the German STI Society, Norbert Brockmeyer.
The rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases is not a new trend. What is striking, however, is the group of older people. According to studies from the USA, the number of sexually transmitted diseases among 55 to 64 year olds has doubled in the past decade. The Robert Koch Institute also sees a sharp increase in syphilis in Germany, primarily among younger people, but the proportion of older people is growing. While around 326 cases were reported among those over 60 in 2013, there were a total of 930 cases in the same group in 2023. Men are particularly affected.
Divorce, online dating and sexual enhancers
The specialist societies cite the reasons for this are an increasing divorce rate, online dating, sexual enhancers and the elimination of worries about an unwanted pregnancy. There is little research on sexuality in the second half of life. However, the Berlin Aging Study II from 2019 showed that almost a third of 60 to 80 year olds say they are sexually active more often than the average of 20 and 30 year olds.
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Many people estimate their personal risk of getting an STI to be significantly lower than it actually is. The experts are therefore calling for increased education in this age group. “Sexual health education campaigns are often aimed at the younger generation,” said Julia Welzel, President of the German Dermatological Society (DDG). That is fundamentally correct. “But there needs to be a rethink. You’re never too old for STIs,” she said.
If you suspect, see a doctor
Different strategies are required for prevention: Condoms offer extensive protection against STIs. There is a vaccination against some pathogens such as hepatitis B.
People who suspect they have an STI should get tested to avoid spreading the pathogen. There are also certain medications such as Doxy-PrEP, an antibiotic used to prevent certain STIs such as chlamydia and syphilis, that people who have frequent unprotected sexual contact can take.
So-called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can also be taken to prevent HIV infections. However, this often means that condoms are not used and the risk of other STIs increases again.
People over 50 are more sexually active and therefore more likely to become infected with sexually transmitted diseases. Medical societies warn against this. “Sexuality in old age is still a taboo topic in our society – with dramatic consequences when you look at the numbers on sexually transmitted infections (STIs),” said the President of the German STI Society, Norbert Brockmeyer.
The rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases is not a new trend. What is striking, however, is the group of older people. According to studies from the USA, the number of sexually transmitted diseases among 55 to 64 year olds has doubled in the past decade. The Robert Koch Institute also sees a sharp increase in syphilis in Germany, primarily among younger people, but the proportion of older people is growing. While around 326 cases were reported among those over 60 in 2013, there were a total of 930 cases in the same group in 2023. Men are particularly affected.