Sexually Transmitted Diseases and the Condom

Over the past few years many conclusive scientific investigations have proven that some age groups are more inclined to contract sexually transmitted diseases than others. For various reasons these individuals are at risk of contracting infections but fortunately this trend can be reversed by using protection during sex.

Adolescents are generally regarded as one of the primary age groups at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, since youngsters or teens have less access to contraceptives and are also most likely to risk performing unprotected sexual intercourse. Although this view can be largely debated for various reasons, namely the wide spread accessibility of contraceptives together with the numerous ongoing awareness programs enforced by governments to inform the younger population of the risks associated with unprotected sex, the truth is that even with these preventative measures infections still occur regularly.

There are other ages groups severely affected by sexually transmitted diseases although the reasons are entirely different. Older sexually active individuals, ranging from 50 years of age and beyond, have seen the number of infections rise considerably. A very simple justification has been presented to explain this new phenomenon. In the past when an elderly couple separated or faced the premature death of a spouse, few were the ones that sought new partners and engaged in sexual activity with another person. Today this concept is becoming increasingly popular and many elderly citizens prefer to seek relationships where sexual activity is common. Join unprotected sex together with many sexual partners and the results are contamination with sexually transmitted diseases.

One of the major problems affecting these two age groups is the little importance given to sexually transmitted diseases. Many individuals believe that their age is a safeguard against contracting an infection, leaving them with a false sense of security. Another dilemma worth noting is that many of the older individuals are not accustomed to using condoms or any other contraceptive device for that matter. Since diseases like HIV/AIDS weren’t a problem when they became sexual active, many believe that their advanced age and that of their sexual partners saves them from infection.

Safe sex can be enforced if both partners are prepared to take a responsible approach to sexual intercourse and use a condom together with other contraceptive devices during penetration. Diseases like HIV/AIDS are more common than most would dare to think although some believe that only drug addicts and homosexuals are at risk.