SEX-ED FOR SENIORS:

“Sex is a part of life. People are sexual from the time they’re born until they die. People can be orgasmic into their 90s,” said Sallie Foley, a sex therapist who works with seniors at the University of Michigan’s Sexual Health Counseling Services in Ann Arbor, and writes a regular column on love and sexuality for AARP’s magazine.

But there’s a dangerous downside to sex in the golden years. Many sexually active seniors don’t realize that they may be at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, and even more may not know how to protect themselves.

“The hormone therapies and Viagra can keep sex going even into the 80s and 90s for some people,” said Dr. John Morley, a geriatric sex counselor at St. Louis University School of Medicine. “But a lot of the patients I see are not having sex with their life partner, or are also active with someone else, and those partners may not realize they need protection.”

I’m all for safe sex, but the AIDS fears seem exaggerated. If you’re 90, which is a bigger worry — something that might kill you in 10 years, or missing a shot at getting laid now? I guess it all depends on your discount rate . . . .

UPDATE: A reader sends this story to suggest that I’m wrong to be so cavalier. I stand corrected. Hey: Glove your love at any age.