Sexual Health for Seniors: Why Menopause Is Not a Shield

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, stated that older adults face the same sexual health risks as younger people. She emphasized that retirement does not pause the need for protection. Rogers said, “Getting older does not make you immune to getting a sexually transmitted disease. Just because you retired, your sexual health didn’t.”

Gerontologist Sam Cradduck addressed the common misconception that menopause provides natural immunity. She explained that while pregnancy is no longer possible, infection risks remain high. Cradduck noted, “Menopause doesn’t protect you from gonorrhea or syphilis or HIV or HPV.” She added that syphilis contracted earlier in life can remain dormant for decades before surfacing in older populations.

Rogers highlighted that visual inspection is an unreliable method for determining a partner's health status. She said, “You can’t tell by looking at someone if they have a sexually transmitted disease. You say, ‘Oh, they look healthy.’ You can’t tell by that.” She identified human papillomavirus, or HPV, as the most common infection, noting that the virus can lead to cancer later in life according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Amy O’Rourke, an aging expert, recommended that couples initiate conversations about testing early in a relationship. She suggested framing the discussion by stating that an active sex life is important and then asking how both partners feel about prevention. O’Rourke advised naming specific diseases rather than using the general term STDs. She said, “When I hear syphilis, my ears perk up.”

Rogers warned that a weakened immune system increases the difficulty of fighting off infections. She said, “If your immune system is not strong, you can’t fight off what you get exposed to.” She also noted that PrEP, a medication used to prevent HIV, does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases. She added that treating one infection often requires treating another, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, simultaneously.

Cradduck advised that individuals check the compatibility of their chosen protection products. She said, “Wearing a condom is important, but a lot of condoms and a lot of lubricants don’t go well together, and so you will impair the integrity of the condom with certain lubricants.” She also recommended that people with a latex allergy avoid latex condoms to prevent irritation or reaction.

Rogers stated that couples who have been monogamous for many years should still use protection when dating again. She said, “You only know what the person told you. You don’t really know, so still protect yourself.” She urged older adults to consult their health care providers to identify personal risk factors that may not be immediately apparent.

The experts concluded that prevention relies on three key elements: partners, practices, and protection. They encouraged the use of modern tools such as advanced screenings and daily PrEP. Rogers reminded listeners that a test result from one month ago may no longer be valid. She said, “That test might have been one month ago and things have changed.”