Sexually transmitted infections have doubled in under a decade in people over 45.
Men were most likely to be affected, with increases.
Tragically, the sexual health of men and women of this age group is largely neglected.
The number of sexually transmitted infections is rising in both young and old, despite sexual health campaigns urging people to avoid unsafe sex.
The proportion of over-45s rose during the sample period.
In total, 4,445 infections were detected in older people, with genital warts accounting for almost half of these diagnoses.
Herpes was the next most common, with one in five diagnoses.
Within the over-45 age group, men and people aged 55 to 59 were most likely to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The overall rate of infections more than doubled over the eight-year period from 16.7 per 100,000 population to 36.3 per 100,0000.
This meant a significantly higher increase for older people compared with younger patients.