THE CONVERSATION – Diagnoses for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are increasing in older adults.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the number of people older than 65 diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the U.S. increased about three-, five- and sevenfold, respectively, from 2010 to 2023.
Data also suggests that women older than 50 are at greater risk for HIV than younger women.
Explanations for why these infections are so common in older adults include limited understanding of STIs in this age group, infrequent condom use and increased availability of medications for conditions that typically limit sexual activity in older adults, such as like Viagra and Cialis for erectile dysfunction and estrogen creams and tablets for vaginal dryness.
Many older adults are reluctant to discuss their sexual history with their partners and health care providers, which contributes to misconceptions that they are monogamous or sexually inactive.
In my work as an infectious disease scientist, I examine the largely unexplored biological reasons for why postmenopausal women have increased susceptibility to STIs.
My recently published research shows that menopause is associated with loss of the genital tract’s protective barrier, an essential defense against the microbial pathogens that cause STIs.
Menopause: A natural part of aging
Menopause is the stage in a woman’s life marked by no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. In the U.S., menopause begins on average between ages 45 and 55.
It is estimated that by the year 2030, 1.2 billion women worldwide will be menopausal or postmenopausal.
Menopause results from a loss of estrogen production from the ovaries, which can diminish vaginal lubrication and vaginal tissue elasticity.
This can cause a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM, which involves symptoms such as vaginal dryness and irritation, painful sex and frequent urinary tract infections. Roughly half of postmenopausal women experience GSM …
