Let's Talk About Sex

The British Medical Journal released new information on sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases in senior citizens.

Research shows 80 percent of seniors, age 50-90, are sexually active. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has more than doubled in the senior population in the past 10 years. The increase is a trend that concerns many health care providers.

A New Boom

Margaret Dean, R.N., MSN, faculty associate with the School of Nursing, believes the increase is caused by a change in sexual behaviors in baby boomers. Dean noted access to medications like Viagra and Levitra since early adulthood has helped older generations maintain active sex lives.

Since many of the women in the Baby Boomer generation are postmenopausal, Dean said the use of condoms is not generally considered, which contributes to an increase in STDs.

“Our older population has the highest rising rate of HIV,” Dean said. “Many times the STDs are asymptomatic so this doesn’t alert the patient that there might be a serious problem so they pass it on to their sexual partner.”

Dean also suggested postmenopausal women might forgo annual exams, which results in a missed opportunity for health care providers to educate seniors.

The answer to the problem is education and open and honest relationships between patients and health care providers, Dean said.

“We need to know what the sexual orientation and practices are of our patients,” Dean said. “These are sensitive issues that need to be addressed. Without knowledge of the problem then we are unable to provide the testing and education needed to provide care for our older adult patients.”

Straight Talk

Linda Brice, Ph.D., R.N., with the School of Nursing, and Kathleen McPherson with Texas Tech Physicians Obstetrics and Gynecology, have integrated a section for senior citizens and college students into Lubbock’s Straight Talk program. The program was previously called Teen Straight Talk, and was only aimed at teens, tweens and their parents.

Straight Talk For All Ages is a free, community-based program now designed to motivate people of all ages to talk about topics including sex education, STDs and responsible decision-making. The program is supported by more than 60 community organizations, businesses and individuals.

Event Co-Chairs Brice and McPherson said it is important to focus on men and women in their 20s and those 55 and older, as STD rates between these two groups continue to grow.

“STD rates among senior citizens have tripled and seniors are now one of the fastest growing segments the population contracting STDs, including HIV,” Brice said. “We wanted to make sure that they are educated about STDs and provide other medical related information.”

Straight Talk For All Ages begins at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at the Academic Classroom Building, 3601 Fourth St., in Lubbock.

For more information about Straight Talk, contact McPherson at (806) 743-2463, ext. 229 or email kathleen.mcpherson@ttuhsc.edu or Brice at (806) 241-3652 or linda.brice@ttuhsc.edu.