In a recent study on internet dating of women in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, by Deborah Bateson the Medical Director of Family Planning NSW she found that there has been an increase in Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). As women go back into the dating arena after years of monogamy it is difficult to renegotiate safe sex practices. I remember decades ago running seminars with females on this issues, they said it took them a while to have the confidence to speak up because it was such an embarrassing experience. It reminded them of their adolescent youth where they preferring to wait for their male counter-part to take the lead and pull out the condom.

A helpful element to come out of these workshops was to talk about safe sex practices in a non-sexual situation rather than leave it to the throws of passion. The analogue we made was with the decision of contraception because it’s important to be clear with what you want to do before hand rather than risk the consequences. In this situation it is helpful to make a decision about using condoms or waiting for test results before, heading to the bedroom.

Even the issue of oral sex, which many have believed is less risky needs to be looked at in a different light. Research by Professor of International Medicine Maura Gillison at Ohio State University Columbus, has made a correlation between oral sex and mouth and throat cancer. It appears the more sexual partners you have the higher the risk. Pleasure is not just for the young it is an important part of our life no matter what age we are, so it’s nice to remember that with maturity, wisdom comes so please practice ‘safe sex’, and have lots of fun.

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