Safe sex campaign for over 50’s

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDSep 9 2010

New figures have shown an alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections among the over-50s in Britain. Health charity FPA (Family Planning Association) has come up with a nation wide campaign using fashion adverts from the 60s and 70s to encourage members of the baby boomer generation to use condoms and practice safe sex.

The campaign posters bear the phrase: “Remember wearing this?”, next to an image of someone posing in an outfit from the period, adding: “Then remember to wear this” beside an image of a condom packet.

According to latest figures from the Health Protection Agency there is a rise in people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s having sex with new partners over the past 10 years. That trend has led to an increase in the five main sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in those age groups. People aged between 45 and 64 had the biggest rise in syphilis, herpes, chlamydia and genital warts between 2000 and 2009. They also had the second biggest rise in gonorrhea cases, beaten only by the over 65s.

According to a FPA spokeswoman people in these age groups commonly made the mistake of thinking that sexual health issues would not affect them. She added, “The problem is that lots of people over 50, single or dating, don't think safer sex applies to them… After the menopause, when pregnancy isn't a concern, using condoms can be easily forgotten about. Result? STIs are making a comeback in a new generation.”