Sexed-up fifties put sexual health at risk

London: Many sexually active middle-aged lovers who believe '50 is frisky' are inviting the risks of sexual disease, a new survey has revealed.

The study found that one in 10 sexually active over-fifties did not use any form of contraception which would stop them catching sexually transmitted infections, and knew next to nothing about their partner's sexual history.

While, two-thirds of those over 50 claimed to enjoy active sex lives, they viewed diseases such as AIDS and Chlamydia as problems for younger generation only.

"It will surprise older people that they are vulnerable to sexually-transmitted diseases and should be having protected sex," Saga magazine editor Emma Soames said.

The findings shatter the myth that once you hit 50, your sex life is over.

Rather, there is less pressure than when people were younger and it is likely that you feel more comfortable about your body, she said.

"Forget about the dirty 30s or the naughty 40s. The frisky 50s are having the most fun by swapping the boardroom for the bedroom," the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.

The statistics reveal 85 per cent found sex less pressured and 76 per cent said it was a more fulfilling experience than in their youth.

Nearly 16 per cent admitted using drugs such as Viagra to improve their performance in the bedroom.

Two years ago, Health Protection Scotland warned that the popularity of swapping partners and of women going on foreign holidays to pick up men had led to a rise in sexual diseases among the over-50s.