Older Women Susceptible to 'Sex Parasite'

Middle aged women have it rough in today’s world. Men their age start ignoring them in favor of younger women, younger men start paying attention them in hopes that they’re some kind of crazy sex cat that will teach them lessons about life and love, they start relating to post-1995 Diane Keaton, and now we’re discovering that many of them are infected with a sex parasite.

Unfortunately, in this case, “sex parasite” does not mean Dov Charney.

The International Society for STD Research reports that more than 1 in 8 women over 50 and nearly 1 in 10 over 40 are infected with a parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis, which “causes urogenital infection, and can raise susceptibility to HIV.” Un-fun.

The reason that many women in this age group unknowingly carry this parasite is that many of them are not screened for its presence. Additionally, trichomonas isn’t reported to the CDC in the states while other STI’s are. Every year, it’s estimated that 7.4 million new people are infected. If left untreated, it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women. Men don’t experience any symptoms, and until recently a reliable way to test for the parasite’s presence didn’t exist.

So, enjoy your sex parasites, older ladies! Now, let us never again say that sentence.