HOW TO BE HEALTHY 50 + AT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN LATER LIFE

If you’re dating again, there’s more than bir th control to consider…

QIwasina relationship with my husband for 40 years. We married young and were childhood sweethearts. Unfortunately he passed away three years ago. I loved him very much but am in my early 60s and recently began to consider other relationships. I had a new partner and, as I know I am too old to get pregnant, I didn’t use contraception. However, a few weeks later I developed a discharge. My GP took a sample and rang me to tell me I had gonorrhoea! Me!! A 63-year-old old who has had one sexual partner until three months ago and only one more since then got gonorrhoea! She gave me

AWITH FAMILY DOCTOR

PHILIPPA KAYE

antibiotics which cleared it all up but I am both mortified and upset. What should I do to stop it happening in another relationship?

I am sorry for the loss of your husband – and indeed for your recent distressing experience!

You are not alone; sexually transmitted infections are rising in the over-60s. I think that is the combination of no longer being anxious about getting pregnant and people star ting new relationships – perhaps after divorce or loss of a par tner. But just because you can’t get pregnant, it does not mean that you don’t need to continue to use contraception! The only forms of contraception which prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are condoms, both male and female kinds. Male condoms are more easily available and are easier to use.

STIs include gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomonas vaginalis. These can produce an of fensivesmelling vaginal discharge. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia may have no symptoms at all but can lead to pain and pelvic inflammator y disease (as well as infer tility in younger women).

Genital herpes produces painful burning lesions in the genitals. Hepatitis B and C, syphilis and HIV are also sexually transmitted.

So good luck in your relationships and always use a condom!