People over the age of 50 who have unprotected sex are being warned they could be at risk of sexually-transmitted infections.
Recent evidence reveals that middle-aged people who have divorced or separated from long-term partners and have gone back to dating are putting themselves at risk by having unprotected sex.
Coming from a generation when, as young people, protection was about not getting pregnant, the middle-aged singles are being urged to protect themselves against STIs as infections in the age group are on the rise.
This is Sexual Health Week and this year’s campaign, The Middle-age Spread, focuses on preventing STIs in people over 50.
Cases of chlamydia rose by 72% in men and women aged 45-64 between 2002 and 2006.Unprotected sexA Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain poll found almost 20% of people aged 45-54 admitted to having unprotected sex with someone other than a long-term partner in the last five years.
A survey of sexually active over-50s found one in 10 is not using condoms with their current partner to prevent transmission of STIs.
Other groups also at risk of STIs include young people and men who have sex with men.
Ann Eriksen, strategic lead and commissioner for sexual health at NHS Tayside, said, “Reducing STIs remains very much a priority for NHS Tayside.
“There has been a large rise in sexually transmitted infections and HIV in recent years and the best way to avoid these infections is to use a condom.Emergency contraception”NHS Tayside offers a range of services for anyone who needs advice or emergency contraception at the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic on level 7 of Ninewells Hospital,” she said.
“Early sexual activity and unprotected sex can lead to high levels of unintended pregnancy and STIs.
“One of our main aims is to encourage young people to delay sex or, if they are sexually active, to ensure that they understand the importance of contraception and practice safer sex.
“In Tayside we have a comprehensive range of education, screening and testing services, as well as outreach clinics in communities to tackle STIs.
“We also actively encourage people who think they may have been exposed to an STI, even if they do not have any symptoms, to come along to one of our clinics.
“By doing that and identifying new episodes of infection we can treat the individual and ensure they cannot go on to unintentionally infect others.”
The Tayside sexual health websites www.sexualhealthtayside.org and www.gaymenshealthtayside.com provide information on services and issues which people might want to consider when thinking about their own sexual health.
The “Cool 2 Talk” website www.cool2talk.org provides advice to young people.