Sexual Health: The Three Ps for Older Adults

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease, and for older adults returning to dating, the risk of infection remains a concern that requires active management. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPV can lead to cancer later in life.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, stated that age does not change the risk of infection. "Getting older does not make you immune to getting a sexually transmitted disease," Rogers said. "Just because you retired, your sexual health didn't."

Rogers also noted that appearances can be misleading. "You can't tell by looking at someone if they have a sexually transmitted disease," she said. "You say, 'Oh, they look healthy.' You can't tell by that."

Gerontologist Sam Cradduck addressed the misconception that menopause eliminates the need for protection. "A lot of people think, 'Well, I've been through menopause, I can't get pregnant. I don't need to protect myself,'" Cradduck said. "Menopause doesn't protect you from gonorrhea or syphilis or HIV or HPV."

Cradduck further explained that syphilis contracted at a younger age can manifest later in life within communities where older adults reside. "That lives forever in you," Cradduck said. "We've seen neurosyphilis in communities."

Aging expert Amy O'Rourke emphasized that prevention begins with testing and communication. O'Rourke suggested starting a conversation by stating that an active sex life is important and then asking a partner about their views on testing and prevention methods.

Rogers added that individuals should discuss risk factors with health care providers and get tested, as conditions can change quickly. "That test might have been one month ago and things have changed," Rogers said. She identified a weakened immune system as a risk factor, noting, "If your immune system is not strong, you can't fight off what you get exposed to."

Cradduck warned that certain products should not be used together. "Wearing a condom is important, but a lot of condoms and a lot of lubricants don't go well together, and so you will impair the integrity of the condom with certain lubricants," she said. Cradduck also stated that individuals with a latex allergy should not use latex condoms.

Rogers stated that it is easy for a person with one disease to acquire another. "When we treat people for chlamydia or gonorrhea, we treat for the other one as well," Rogers said. She also noted that PrEP, a medication taken to prevent HIV infection, does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.

Regarding couples who are dating after being widowed and each had one sexual partner, Rogers advised continued use of protection. "They only had one sexual partner that they know about," Rogers said. "I used to get this all the time.. You only know what the person told you. You don't really know, so still protect yourself."

O'Rourke suggested using specific names for diseases rather than the term "STDs" to ensure the gravity is understood. "STD seems like a distancer, like you don't really hear syphilis. When I hear syphilis, my ears perk up," O'Rourke said. "I think it's important to really say what those diseases are, and then what do we get if we have it and it progresses and you're older? I want to say the word cancer."