IT is normally the age when people have settled down with their soul mates for a quiet life.

But modern lifestyles mean soaring numbers of 40-somethings are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Now a Hampshire health body is backing an awareness campaign urging middle-aged lovers to get tested for potentially damaging and fatal diseases and conditions.

Solent NHS Trust is among organisations supporting the Generation Sex initiative.

The campaign is today being launched to mark Sexual Awareness Week – a seven day drive promoting a healthier sex life.

The initiative is aimed at people in their 40s, 50s, 60s and older, who are often less comfortable talking about their sexual health than 20-30 year-olds.

Trust sexual health promotion and HIV lead Andrew Smith has written a blog addressing the problem, titled Sex for the Over 40.

He said: “We know that many people over 40 are starting new relationships. Online dating has become a fun, easy and socially acceptable way of meeting new partners.

“However, many people forget their sexual health when entering into these connections and condoms are often not even mentioned.”

But he warned STIs have risen among over 40s since 2011 and while treatments have improved, many conditions are incurable.

He continued: “Pregnancy might not be an issue for some people, but STI’s can seriously affect your sexual enjoy-|ment.

“Most people over 30 will remember the HIV messages of the 80s, which scared many into believing that HIV/AIDS was coming to get them.

“Over time, the memories of that campaign have faded and the urgency to use condoms has fallen by the wayside.

“The reality is this – HIV is still around 35 years on, and although it is a very different illness to that of 1984, with treatment and testing the best it has ever been, there is still no cure and new infections come from every age group and demographic in the community.”

The trust offers a range of free, confidential sexual health advice services available to people of all ages.

See letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk for more information, or follow @solentnhstrust on Twitter.