Sneaky, private infection on the rise in women 55+

Q: A friend, who is 58, widowed and dating again, recently got gonorrhea. I’m divorced and also just started dating. I didn’t think women our age had to worry about sexually transmitted diseases. Am I wrong?

A: Believe it or not, between 2014 and 2018, the rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) doubled among those ages 55 to 64. In particular, rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis have soared in this age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The reasons for the increases aren’t fully understood, but as we get older, our immune system begins to weaken, and that can increase susceptibility to getting an STD. What’s more, when women lose estrogen after menopause, vaginal tissues become thinner, which can make us vulnerable to tiny tears that can raise the risk of contracting an STD.

Thankfully, being aware of the risks and knowing the signs of an STD can help protect your health. Gonorrhea, for example, has the same symptoms as a yeast infection: itching, burning and vaginal discharge, but while a yeast infection discharge is white, discharge with gonorrhea is green or yellow. The good news: A short round of antibiotics will cure it completely.

Chlamydia’s predominant symptom is frequent urination with burning, which can be mistaken as a urinary tract infection. And syphilis can cause breakouts on the extremities that are easy to overlook. Fortunately, both infections are detectable with simple tests and can be treated quickly and easily with antibiotics.

As an additional precaution, if you decide to initiate a new sexual relationship, you and your partner could consider being screened for STDs beforehand. And at any age, using condoms helps protect you from STDs.

At my recent checkup, my pelvic exam was uncomfortable. My doctor said my cervix is ‘high.’ Is this cause for

concern?