Sexually transmitted infections and the aging female: placing risks in perspective.

Gynecological literature is replete with multiple papers on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young women. Although those past the reproductive prime may well be at lower risk for STIs than women in the peak reproductive years, STIs are regularly seen in the older cohort and are a cause for significant morbidity and distress. Care givers reluctantly approach or are outright amiss in assessing sexual health of their aging patients, nor is this population adequately counseled regarding practices of safe sex. Sexuality among the aging population, safe behaviors, and diagnostic challenges of STIs in an older cohort are herein discussed.