Researchers find that older women are not given enough education on STDs

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of developing a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Unfortunately, there are many populations who are engaging in sexual behavior but believe they do not have to worry about becoming infected. For example, there has been a rise in elderly people getting STDs because they do not get tested often.

Recently, researchers have found that older women are not properly educated about the dangers of these infections and how to protect themselves against them. While many women surveyed claimed they understood the risks associated with STDs, many said they felt uncomfortable bringing the topic up with the doctors or sexual partners. This can lead to a lack of condom use and proper STD testing.

The good news was that many women seemed interested in gaining the tools to approach this subject with more confidence. Most STD information is not geared toward older women, but researchers are hoping to change this.

"The findings generated from our research offer a rich foundation for better understanding the motivations and concerns that influence senior-aged women's attitudes about dating at their present stage of life," said researcher Cynthia Morton, M.D.