Sex infection cases at 40-yr high as single over-65s find new lovers
CASES of the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea have reached a 40-year high amid a rise in casual sex, figures show.
Doctors have blamed the surge on dating apps such as Tinder, older Britons finding new sexual partners after divorce or bereavement and TV shows such as Love Island ‘normalising’ casual sex.
More than 56,000 people were diagnosed with gonorrhoea last year – up by more than a quarter from 2017. Pensioners experienced the highest proportional increase, with cases surging by 42 per cent last year to 336.
Cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) have been rising in both men and women for years – but have now reached their highest level since 1978.
Experts said online dating means that older people are finding new sexual partners after becoming widowed or divorced – but warned that many do not use condoms due to low pregnancy risk. Dr Mark Lawton, from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said: ‘Previously if older people were widowed or divorced, that would spell the end of their sex lives. But now, quite rightly, they want to get back out there and have sex again.
‘The problem is they’ve not used condoms for 35 years in their marriage so they don’t start using them now.’
He added: ‘Many of these people would make sure their grandchildren have condoms but don’t use them themselves.’
The data from Public Health England revealed an overall five per cent annual increase in STIs to 447,694 cases.
Almost half of these diagnoses were for chlamydia, with 15-24 year olds the most commonly affected. However, rates of the STI also increased by more than a quarter among the over-65s. Dr Lawton said: ‘Attitudes to sex are changing thanks to shows like Love Island, which makes people feel that having casual sex with lots of different people is normal and they should be doing it.’
He added that dating apps have made casual sex easier, and said: ‘You can just swipe right – you don’t have to take them out for dinner any more.’
The data also revealed there were 7,541 cases of syphilis, which has often been regarded as a Victorian-era disease. The figures show that rates have more than doubled in a decade.
Dr Gwenda Hughes, from Public Health England, said: ‘STIs can pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of current and future sexual partners. No matter what age you are, or what type of relationship you are in, it’s important to look after your sexual health.’