Whether you want to admit it or not, your parents are probably having sex. And chances are your grandparents are doing it, too. In fact, up to 80% of 50-to-90-year-olds enjoy making whoopee, according to new research published in the British Medical Journal.
But with more sex comes more sexually transmitted diseases and, according to the CDC, cases of STDs are on the rise in this age group and have more than doubled in the past 10 years. We’re talking specifically about syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Researchers aren’t exactly sure what’s causing the increase. But when the kids are out of the house, bridge and volunteering at the hospital can’t take up that much time ... so there must be plenty of opportunities for a little “bow-chicka-bow-bow.” And of course the invention of that little blue pill probably helps, too. Plus, more men and women over 50 are turning to online dating, according to sex therapist and CNNHealth.com contributor Ian Kerner.
Sounds like a great way to spend your retirement! Problem is, seniors may not be as cautious as the younger folks when it comes to sex.
“They just don’t think it can happen to them,” clinical psychologist Judy Kuriansky tells CNN. “The fears and the warnings didn’t hit their generation.”
So here’s our warning to the members of the “Lucky Few” generation who’re still gettin’ lucky: Wrap it up! That’s really the best way to protect yourself. If the Golden Girls can do it, so can you:
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