Sexually Transmitted Diseases among the Elderly

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have always been identified in the younger population. However, those over the age of 60 years are also suffering from high rates of such diseases (Bansal et al., 2021). This rise of STIs in elderly individuals has primarily been fueled by a sequence of social, physiological, and even behavioral factors exposing them more than younger individuals. This article examines three grounds on which older people are at higher risk of being infected by STIs and examines two probable solutions to fend off the imminent threat: Sexually Transmitted Diseases among the Elderly.

Factors for Increased Susceptibility to STI of the Elderly

Education and Lack of Awareness

Many older adults grew up in an era where sexual health education was either limited or did not address concerns relevant to aging populations (Ezhova et al., 2020). Thus, they may not be adequately informed on the reality and risks of contracting STIs or even the precautionary measures. Young people have been exposed more to education in sex, and thus, they understand the dangers of unprotected intercourse, but older people may not.

This makes them more predisposed to STIs since they may not practice safe sex, like using condoms when engaging in sexual activities. Similarly, cultural shame and embarrassment stand in the way of talking about STI prevention among the elderly since it is seen as taboo to have sex at that age.

Physiological Changes and Heightened Susceptibility

Age contributes to physiological changes that heighten susceptibility to infection. Postmenopausal women, for instance, have reduced estrogen levels and resulting vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal epithelium that increases susceptibility to microtears during intercourse. Microtears provide an entry point for infection, and the chance of contracting infections is higher (Bleibel & Nguyen, 2020).

Likewise, the immune response also decreases with age, and thus, older individuals become more susceptible to infection on exposure. Older males who use medications for erectile dysfunction are also more likely to engage in more sex without consideration of protection against STIs, once again enhancing the risk of transmission.

Evolution in Social and Relationship Trends

Greater access to dating websites, mobile apps, and geriatric homes has brought about a sexually active life among the elderly. The majority of elderly people are divorced, widowed, or single and, therefore, start fresh sex without necessarily thinking about preventing STIs (Queiroz et al., 2020). Besides, as pregnancy is no longer an issue among most aging groups, condom usage is less common and thus increasingly on the upswing in the context of STI transmission. Permissive sexual society and changing marriages have increased partner counts, thereby doubling vulnerability to STIs for this group.

Solutions in Coping with STI Existence among the Aged

Expanding Sexual Health Information and Knowledge Transfer

One of the most effective measures to decrease the prevalence of STIs among older individuals is to improve sexual health education among older persons. This can be addressed by healthcare providers openly discussing sexual health within regular medical consultations, such as safe sex information. Senior centers and communities can also include workshops and campaigns that provide information on STI risks and prevention methods in a clear, non-judgmental fashion. Public health interventions must also address the stigma surrounding elderly sexuality to enable open communication and informed decision-making about sexual health.

Promoting Routine STI Testing and Condom Use

Routine STI testing should be promoted among older adults, as it is promoted among younger adults. Healthcare providers can make it routine to discuss sexual activity and promote routine testing among sexually active older adults. Moreover, promoting condom use as prevention, even at post-childbearing ages, is crucial to preventing STI transmission.

Having condoms available freely in elderly homes and how to use them can be highly effective in avoiding risk. Medical staff and pharmacies should also provide STI testing and prevention discreetly so that the elderly feel at ease in accessing these.

Conclusion

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise among elderly people due to a lack of education/awareness, anatomical susceptibility, and social factors. To combat this, awareness, education, better promotion of STI awareness and condom utilization, and strengthening of schools are needed. These strategies can help prevent the escalation of STI incidences among the elderly as they encourage and ensure the adoption of healthy sexual practices among the elderly.

References

Bansal, A., Relhan, V., Hegde, P., & Sahoo, B. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections in the elderly: A 6-year retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, 42(2), 144. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijstd.ijstd_60_20

Bleibel, B., & Nguyen, H. (2020). Vaginal atrophy. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559297/

Ezhova, I., Savidge, L., Bonnett, C., Cassidy, J., Okwuokei, A., & Dickinson, T. (2020). Barriers to older adults seeking sexual health advice and treatment: A scoping review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 107(107), 103566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103566

Queiroz, J. F., Medeiros, K. S., Sarmento, A. C. A., Monteiro, M. N., Cobucci, R. N., Stransky, B., & Gonçalves, A. K. (2020). Use of dating sites and applications by women and their risk of sexually transmitted infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. BMJ Open, 10(11), e038738. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038738

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Cummings-Clay, D. (n.d.). Child developmentLinks to an external site.. Pressbooks. https://library.achievingthedream.org/hostoschilddevelopmenteducation/
  • Module 8. Prenatal Development
  • Module 9: Early Childhood
• Lally, M., & Valentine-French, S. (2019). Lifespan development: A psychological perspectiveLinks to an external site. (2nd ed.). Open Textbook Library. https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/lifespan-development-a-psychological-perspective
  • Chapter 7. Emerging and Early Adulthood
  • Chapter 8. Middle Adulthood
  • Chapter 9. Late Adulthood
    

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases among the Elderly

Instructions

• A review of the scholarly literature will uncover a prevalence of risky sexual behaviors and a high rate of sexually transmitted infections in individuals over 60 years of age. For this assignment, it is your responsibility to investigate the phenomenon of increased sexually transmitted infections, and you must provide at least 3 well-researched reasons why the elderly are at an increased risk of contracting an STI compared to their younger counterparts. And finally, provide at least 2 possible solutions to quell this problem.