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Q: I’m an older woman starting to date again after divorce. Should I be concerned about sexually transmitted diseases?
A: The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is higher in younger women than in older individuals. Nevertheless, older women may also be at risk if not in a monogamous relationship. Also in older women, infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) may pose a greater risk, as they may not clear the virus as frequently as do younger women and may thus have a greater chance of persistent disease with a greater risk of malignant transformation of cells of the lower genital tract. Dr. Charles Dubin graduated from UCLA medical school and is a specialist in gynecology, menopause and gynecologic minimally invasive surgery. He is in private practice in Santa Monica, Calif. He was among the first 100 physicians in the United States certified in advanced laparoscopy and hysteroscopy by the Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy. He was cofounder of the Westside Menopause Center and a member of the North American Menopause Society. He was founder of the Endometriosis Center of Southern California. Dr. Dubin’s practice caters to the needs of perimemopausal and menopausal women employing a customized, holistic approach using hormonal, herbal, dietary and lifestyle approaches. Send your questions to Charles@smartnow.com. |
