How common is chlamydia for over 50's?
Over 50s may think that if they do not need to worry about pregnancy then they do not need to worry about protecting themselves during sex. A survey of the over 50s found that one in ten of those who were sexually active were not using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections. However, STIs such as chlamydia can be as easily transmitted between the over 50s as between younger people.

Although chlamydia is easy to cure, up to one in ten sexually active young people in the UK are thought to have the disease. In Australia, the number of over-50s with chlamydia has increased by over 100% since 2005, from 620 cases to 1446 in 2010. The UK FPA reported that in 2009 13,000 over 45s were diagnosed with an STI and chlamydia cases in those aged 45-64 increased by over 70 percent from 2002 to 2006.

Chlamydia can be transmitted by sex toys as well as vaginal, oral and anal sex. Up to 50% of women and 70% of men will not show symptoms of infection with chlamydia until they have developed serious complications such as pelvic pain in women and inflammation of the testicles in men.

The UK's Family Planning Association reports that the over 50s are increasingly likely to experience relationship changes or be without a long term partner. These factors can lead to more sexual encounters with new people, and hence a greater risk of contracting an STI. In 2010, the FPA launched its first ever sexual health campaign for the over 50s. They advise getting over the post Chlamydia testing and being tested for STIs if you have had unprotected sex with a new partner, if your partner has had unprotected sex with someone else recently, or if you or your partner display any symptoms.