Dating apps, Viagra, and a lack of sexual inhibition are increasingly affecting people over the age of 60, leading to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases

Tuesday, Jul 29, 2025

HVG

STI rates rise significantly among older adults across Europe due to changing sexual behaviors and reduced awareness.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has significantly increased among older generations, with some reports showing a threefold rise in those over sixty. In Benidorm, Spain, healthcare workers have noted increases in gonorrhea and syphilis cases, attributing this to factors like swing balls, dating apps, lack of fear regarding pregnancy, and Viagra use. While the trend is global—with substantial rises in STIs among older adults in the US since 2010—the situation in Hungary presents data reliability issues due to underreporting by medical professionals and a reduction in STI clinics. Official Hungarian statistics show a rise in syphilis cases since 2018, but experts suggest the true prevalence is much higher. In contrast to some official figures suggesting stability or decline in gonorrhea, reduced healthcare access likely skews the observed numbers. European data indicates significant increases in gonorrhea across the EU between 2018 and 2022. Furthermore, in France, a notable percentage of HIV diagnoses are among those aged fifty and older, linked to increased sexual freedom after divorce or widowhood, coupled with low condom use rates among this demographic.

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