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More STDs in Seniors Linked to More Sexual Freedom of Menopause

By HERWriter
 
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seniors have more STDs along with more sexual freedom in menopause Design Pics/Thinkstock

You may suspect that once a woman hits menopause the worthwhile part of her life may be over. And if you think this way, chances are you are not a postmenopausal woman.

Because we know better. Things look somewhat different on this side of the menopause line. Fortunately they look better.

Many postmenopausal women would beg to differ with the image many (younger and therefore uninformed) people have of them. If you are a young woman, that is an ominous future you are predicting for yourself in a few years.

Plenty of postmenopausal women feel younger in their fifties than they did in their forties. They're not worried about becoming pregnant, and painful periods may be a thing of the past for the first time since their teens.

This can be a long-awaited dream come true. But the picture isn't necessarily ideal, at least for women with an active sex life with more than one partner, or whose partner is not monogamous.

Sexually transmitted diseases know no barriers, including age. Postmenopausal women are just as vulnerable as younger woman. Perhaps more so. Younger women grew up with the spectre of STDs, but many of the older set did not have that experience.

Condom use meant pregnancy protection in the olden days. Now that pregnancy is no longer possible, some women assume they don't need condoms.

And some are catching sexually transmitted diseases as a result. Some STDs don't make themselves visible with symptoms in women.

But when chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV and syphilis go unchecked, things can get dangerous. Burning upon urination, genital itching, sores or rashes are red flags requiring immediate treatment.

How has this situation managed to spread so far and wide among a group of seniors who are surely old enough to know better?

Never underestimate the embarrassment factor in forming an effective barrier between doctor and STD-carrier.

Some seniors may be extreme modest about talking to a doctor abiout such things, but many are not the least bit prudish. They just didn't think STDs had anything to do with them.

It will come as an even greater surprise to some that they may be at even higher risk than their younger counterparts for sexually transmitted disease.

Thinning of tissue in the vaginal wall of an postmenopausal woman can lead to tiny tears from intercourse.

A possible tendency to experience less natural lubrication compounded with this more fragile, thinner tissue can create an environment where transmission of an STD is more likely to occur.

An older immune system is less able to protect against infection. This age-related difference in immune systems can also make for less noticeable symptoms of an STD.

A senior who had chronic health issues before contracting an STD may begin to have more trouble in managing that health issue afterward.

Seniors can also find themselves more vulnerable to other health problems as a result of sexually transmitted disease, or treatment for the STD.

Sources:

STDs, Vaginal Dryness and Menopause: What Every Woman Should Know
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/vaginal-dryness/articles/stds-vagin...

Menopause And STIs
http://www.womens-health.co.uk/menopause-and-stis.html

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in the Elderly
http://www.seniorhealth365.com/2012/02/13/sexually-transmitted-diseases-...

Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger

Add a Comment3 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Don't upset by it. It is just a virus to most of the people after the careful managment. If you feel alone after get it, I recommend a warm-hearted wherpes dating site for you: positivefishes.com . There are many singles with Herpes are finding support, information, and even love here!

July 17, 2012 - 10:43pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Getting diagnosed with Herpes can be the worst moment of your life.
However, in order to safely and confidently date with genital herpes you should definitely know a few things. HerpesPal.com can help you deal with and overcome any issue which genital herpes might create in your dating life. So take a deep breath. And realize taking little steps every day will help you recover and heal from this experience. And I promise, you will find happiness again.

July 17, 2012 - 7:41pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Genital herpes can be transmitted even if a person has no symptoms,suggesting a high risk of transmission from people with unrecognized infections of herpes simplex 2, researchers said on Tuesday. You can check more tips on a herpes support and dating site ==herpesanddating.net== It is a popular online dating for h people.

July 17, 2012 - 6:56pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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