Sexually transmitted infections in midlife women

According to the 2021 Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) surveillance on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), rates of STIs are increasing in all age groups. One study showed that STI rates were increasing faster in women aged 55 to 64 years compared with younger age groups. Although the incidence of STIs is lower in midlife women than in younger women, midlife women may have life changes that lead to new sexual partners, but healthcare professionals may assume they are not sexually active. Treatment of STIs is guided by the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines. Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing in all age groups. Although STI incidence decreases with age, midlife women have risk factors that may lead to STI acquisition and underdiagnosis. Clinicians may assume that older women are not sexually active. Although many STIs are asymptomatic, when midlife women do experience vaginal symptoms, they may be erroneously attributed to menopause changes. Clinicians should follow evidence-based screening recommendations provided by the US Preventive Services Task Force and consider STIs in the differential diagnosis of vaginal symptoms. Treatment of STIs in midlife women are guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's STI Treatment Guidelines.