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Researchers monitored the numbers of sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed in 19 sexual health clinics and reported to the Health Protection Agency's Regional Surveillance Unit from 1996 to 2003.

In total, 4,445 sexually transmitted disease episodes were identified among people ages 45 and older during that time. Most were straight men and women.

The study, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, found rates of sexually transmitted diseases have doubled among those over age 45 during the study period.

The most commonly diagnosed infection among those older than 45 was genital warts -- 45 percent. Herpes was the next most common, accounting for 19 percent.

Cases of Chlamydia, herpes, warts, gonorrhea and syphilis all rose sharply among the middle-aged, the study said. The cumulative rate of infections more than doubled from 16.7 per 100,000 of the population in 1996 to 36.3 per 100,000 of the population in 2003.

The numbers of infections identified in younger age groups rose 97 percent during the period of the study while those identified in the over 45 age group rose 127 percent.

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