Oral Sex Increases Throat Cancer Risk

Recent observations that oral sex increases throat cancer risk by transmission of the human papilloma virus (HPV) are definitely something to consider for those of us over 50.

Especially since the appearance of AIDS to the sexual scene, oral sex has been seen by many as a form of safe sex.

And for couples over 50, it also is a way around some of the sexual performance difficulties that occur more often as we age such as erectile dysfunction, dry vagina, and painful intercourse.

Now, with this more recent information, it is clear that we have to be careful about oral sex too, especially with new partners. So here is another STD about which responsible people need to be honest and disclose.

Senior Sex Senior STDs

Senior sex didn't become risk free when pregnancy was no longer an issue. Remember the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).


According to the Centers for Disease Control, older people are at increasing risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs. A growing number of older people now have HIV/AIDS. About 19 percent of all people with HIV/AIDS in this country are age 50 and older. Because older people don't get tested for HIV/AIDS on a regular basis, there may be even more cases than currently known.

Many factors contribute to the increasing risk of infection in older people.

• In general, older Americans know less about HIV/AIDS and STDs than younger age groups because the elderly have been neglected by those responsible for education and prevention messages.


• In addition, older people are less likely than younger people to talk about their sex lives or drug use with their doctors, and doctors don't tend to ask their older patients about sex or drug use.


• Finally, older people often mistake the symptoms of HIV/AIDS for the aches and pains of normal aging, so they are less likely to get tested.

You can find links to more information here.