International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Sexual women's health information is wanted and needed by older generations, it has been claimed.

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs and conducted by researchers at the University of Florida in the US found females aged 50 and older are aware of sexually transmitted diseases but not comfortable asking for advice.

Dr Cynthia Morton and her colleagues discovered that older women are receptive to being educated on strategies to ensure they stay healthy, but most initiatives offering advice on contraception are not aimed at their demographic.

Although ladies of this age tend to understand the importance of using condoms, they expressed difficulty negotiating the use of the products with their partners.

Social marketing campaigns and efforts to increase women's confidence when talking to their doctors are needed, the authors said.

"The findings generated from our research offer a rich foundation for better understanding the motivations and concerns that influence senior-aged women's attitudes about dating at their present stage of life," Dr Morton added.

Campaigns targeting younger generations are more abundant and include Ask A Doc RI - a website set up by Vinita Goyal of Women & Infants' Center for Women's Primary Care at the Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, US.

Posted by Martine Ward