`Fifty Shades of Grey' linked to rise in sex infections

The immensely popular erotic novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” has been linked to an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among older couples in Britain.

While the book had encouraged older people to become ``more explorative’’ in the bedroom, the problem was that many were not using protection, said British Medical Association GP committee chairwoman Charlotte Jones.

According to Jones’ organization, there were 1,281 cases of new STIs among British people aged 65 and over in 2011. The number rose more than 7 percent to 1,374 in 2012. Among people aged 45-64, there were 19,896 STI cases in 2011 and 20,445 in 2012, an increase of nearly 3 percent.

``When it comes to forgetting about safe sex we always think of the vulnerability of young people, but there’s the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ effect where older people are being more explorative but not necessarily remembering to use a condom,’’ Jones told the Independent.

``Anyone, of any age, going into new relationships should be thinking about safe sex and particularly the role of condoms. People need to take care.”

“Fifty Shades of Grey,” by E. L. James, has become one of the world’s fastest-selling books since its release in 2011. With more than 100 million copies sold worldwide in 52 languages, it is the fastest-selling paperback of all time.

The story is built on the relationship between college graduate Anastasia Steele and a young business magnate, Christian Grey. The book is notable for explicitly erotic scenes featuring involving bondage and sado-masochism.