Over the past couple of years there has been an increase in the number of older people with Sexually Transmitted Disease/Infection (STD/I), this is thought to be down to a couple of reasons. The introduction of drugs that combat erectile dysfunction such as Viagra and Cialis, an increase in the number of older people using dating websites and a general naivety in regards to sexual health within the older generations.

Unlike younger people the older generation are less likely to get tested to these disease if they think they are at risk due to many feeling uncomfortable talking to their doctor about their sexual activity, also  when this generation was growing up there wasn’t much emphasis put on STD’s/STI’s as there is now. The only risk people faced back then through unprotected sex was pregnancy, however for many now that isn’t a problem and so many do not bother using protection such as condoms.

With more information and drugs available now regarding sexual dysfunction many older people do not feel the need to visit a doctor, however people who are older can suffer more side effects to these drugs and are putting themselves in danger, especially if they are already taking medication for other health issues.