STIs After 50: What Every Woman Needs to Know About the Hidden Health Risk - Willowmere Home

The Hidden Risk: What No One Told You About STIs After 50

If you’re a woman over 50, chances are you’ve been through your fair share of life’s surprises. But here’s one you probably didn’t see coming: sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise among women in midlife and beyond—and no one’s really talking about it.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about staying informed, protecting your health, and reclaiming control over a part of your life that’s still very much alive—your intimacy.

Why Older Women Are at Risk – More Than You Might Think

Let’s start with the facts.

According to the New York Post, women over 52 are seeing a sharp rise in STI rates, with infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis climbing faster in this age group than in any other¹. In the UK, STI diagnoses in older adults more than doubled between 2014 and 2019². And in the U.S., similar trends are showing up across health reports from the CDC.

But here’s the real kicker: many older women don’t even know they’re at risk. And if you’re not being tested regularly, you might not know you’re carrying something until it leads to more serious health problems.

So what’s driving this surge?

1. The Biology of Post-Menopause

You already know that estrogen takes a nosedive during menopause—but what does that mean for your sexual health?

Thinner vaginal tissue: As estrogen declines, the vaginal lining becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile. This increases the chance of microtears during intercourse—tiny openings that make it easier for infections to enter the body³.
Less natural lubrication: Painful sex isn’t just uncomfortable—it may lead to damage that leaves you more vulnerable to bacterial or viral transmission.

It’s not about being careless. It’s about the natural effects of aging, and we’re not being warned about them.

2. The Condom Conundrum

Let’s be honest: for many women over 50, condoms were always about pregnancy prevention. So when fertility was no longer a factor, many simply stopped using them.

But here’s the truth—condoms are still the most effective way to prevent STIs. And in many cases, older women aren’t using protection at all. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Women’s Health found that only 14% of sexually active women over 50 reported using condoms regularly⁴.

And the dating landscape has changed, too. Online dating has made it easier to meet new partners, but the conversations around sexual history and testing? Not so much.

3. No One’s Testing Us Anymore

This one’s frustrating.

Routine STI testing is common for women in their 20s and 30s—but after a certain age, it just stops being offered. Unless you ask for it. Many OB/GYNs assume women over 50 aren’t sexually active or at risk, which means you have to be your own advocate.

The result? Silent infections. Some of the most common STIs in older women—like chlamydia—are asymptomatic, but can lead to chronic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, or increased risk of urinary tract infections if left untreated⁵.

4. We’re Re-entering the Dating Pool—But Without the Playbook

For a lot of women, life after 50 includes starting over—whether after divorce, the loss of a partner, or simply a desire to explore. And while this can be liberating, it also brings new risks.

It’s not uncommon to hear stories like:

“He said he’d been tested, and I believed him. I didn’t think I needed to ask for proof.”
“I hadn’t used a condom in 25 years. It just didn’t even cross my mind.”

We were raised to believe that being sexually active was something tied to youth. But intimacy doesn’t end when your periods do—and neither does the need to protect yourself.

So What Can You Do?

✅ Get tested

If you’re sexually active with new or multiple partners, get an annual STI panel—even if you have no symptoms. Yes, you can request it from your doctor. No, it’s not weird.

✅ Use protection

Condoms, internal condoms, dental dams—these aren’t just for teens. They’re for any stage of life where STI exposure is possible. And that includes yours.

✅ Have the talk

It may feel awkward to ask about testing and protection. But having that conversation could protect your health—and it tells your partner that you respect yourself.

✅ Know your body

Pain during sex? Unusual discharge? Frequent UTIs? These could be signs of an underlying infection, and they shouldn’t be brushed off as “just part of aging.”

This Isn’t About Fear—It’s About Freedom

The truth is, you have every right to enjoy a full, vibrant sex life after 50. In fact, many women report that intimacy becomes richer and more authentic at this stage. But freedom doesn’t mean ignoring risks. It means being informed, prepared, and empowered to take care of yourself.

You’ve earned that right.

So talk to your doctor. Talk to your partner. And above all, talk to yourself honestly about what you need to stay safe and well.

Because your health isn’t behind you—it’s still yours to protect.

– Julie W.

“Why many women over age 52 have a higher risk of getting STIs,” New York Post, Aug 2, 2025. https://nypost.com/2025/08/02/health/why-many-women-over-age-52-have-a-higher-risk-of-getting-stis/ ↩
Public Health England, STI trends in older adults 2014–2019. ↩
North American Menopause Society. “Vaginal and Vulvar Health After Menopause,” 2022. ↩
Journal of Women’s Health, Vol. 32, Issue 3, 2023. “Condom Use and STI Awareness in Midlife Women.” ↩
Mayo Clinic. “Chlamydia – Symptoms and Complications,” 2023. ↩