Seniors deserve healthy sex lives, too.

Follow this authorLeana S. Wen's opinions

2. Low condom use. Smith explained that condom use among this demographic is “really limited.” This might be a result of the misconception that condoms are primarily used to prevent pregnancy. Since this is no longer a concern in this age group, many forgo condoms.

In one study by AARP, only 8 percent of older individuals who were sexually active in the past month reported using condoms all the time. In another study, just 3 percent of people 60 and older used condoms in the past year.

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3. Older people are healthier and staying sexually active for longer. Thanks to pharmaceutical advancements, such as medications for erectile dysfunction and hormonal therapies to alleviate vaginal dryness, today’s older adults can sustain a healthy sex life for longer than in years past.

One survey found that more than half of men and 31 percent of women between the ages of 65 and 80 reported being sexually active. Another, by AARP, concluded that 26 percent of those 60 to 69 had sex weekly, as did 17 percent of those 70 and older.

4. More opportunities for new sex partners. Smith pointed out the rise in widowed and divorced people choosing congregate living communities. “They are residing together and want intimacy,” he said. In addition, many dating apps specifically target older adults, such as OurTime, SeniorMatch and SilverSingles.

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5. A gender imbalance. Women have an average life expectancy that is nearly six years longer than that of men. The disproportionate number of women who outlive their partners results in what Smith calls a “partner gap,” with older men having multiple female sex partners. With low or absent condom use, such non-monogamous behavior increases the risk of STIs.

This phenomenon is supported by CDC data, which shows a huge gender gap in STI rates among those 65 and older. In this age group, men had nearly seven times the rate of gonorrhea and nearly 10 times the rate of syphilis compared with women. Though some of the discrepancy could be from men having sex with each other, it’s likely that some men are having unprotected sex with multiple women — and unknowingly spreading infections.

6. Discomfort in discussing sex. Many........

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