Sex doesn't have an expiration date. But sexually transmitted infections do

Thursday, Jan 15, 2026

Gazeta Wyborcza

STIs are rising among older adults globally, linked to changing sexual behaviors and reduced health awareness.

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

Sexually transmitted diseases are increasingly affecting older adults globally, not just young people. Statistics from Spain show a fourfold increase in venereal disease cases among those over 60, while Greek reports indicate high rates of syphilis and chronic hepatitis B in age groups 45-64 and 65+. Similar trends are noted in France regarding HIV infections and the US concerning gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. In Poland, there has been a significant rise in cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydiosis between 2020 and 2023/2024. Research suggests that while some increases might be due to better diagnosis, they are primarily driven by changing sexual behaviors among mature and older individuals who are embracing their sexuality more openly. This trend is supported by increased interest in dating apps for seniors and higher sales of erectile dysfunction medications. Experts attribute this shift to a desire to enjoy life fully, sometimes involving casual encounters or substance use. However, the issue persists due to ageism and societal taboos surrounding senior sexuality, leading many older individuals to remain uninformed about sexual health practices, such as condom use, which is reported as low among those aged 55-65 in Spain. Furthermore, there is a diagnostic challenge as medical professionals may underestimate the risk of STIs in elderly patients.

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