Almost a third of people have regretted not using a condom with a new partner, many because of embarrassment, a survey revealed today.
The study of more than 2,000 adults for the FPA (Family Planning Association) showed 36% of those aged 35 to 44 and 15% of the over 55s regretted not using prophylactics.
The research also showed that only 39% of people found talking about condoms with a new partner easy, with more than a third, 36%, saying it was such a tough conversation it made them less likely to use one.
A total of 16% said discussion depended on the situation or person, 8% found it difficult and 33% said it did not apply to them. Of the 8% who found it difficult, 70% felt the conversation was embarrassing while 42% felt it was a turn off.
The study, released to mark the beginning of sexual health week, also found that the over 30s did not find the topic any easier to discuss than younger people.
Anne Weyman, chief executive of the FPA, said: "We have to ask why in the 21st century when sex is so widely portrayed in British culture, talking about using condoms is still embarrassing? People in their 30s, 40s and 50s, who may be supremely confident talking about everything else in their lives, struggle at the thought of talking about condoms.
"The problem is our preoccupation with the sexual behaviour of the young. Thirtysomethings are a forgotten generation. They received little sex and relationships education at school but grew up in an increasingly sexualised society.
"They've had to find the confidence themselves to talk about condoms and learn the hard way. It's not surprising that people can feel it's easier not to use a condom, than put themselves through the torture of talking about a subject they feel deeply uncomfortable about.
She added: "Safer sex campaigns are often targeted at the young. But thirtysomethings are also entering into new sexual relationships. It's not acceptable that they risk their sexual health because they feel embarrassed and view condoms as a turn off."
More than half said it would help if the subject featured more in television soaps and dramas.
Last month, official figures revealed a continuing rise in the number of sexually transmitted infections.
New cases rose by 2% to 376,508 from 2005 to 2006, largely among young people and gay men, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
The biggest rise was in genital herpes, up 9% to 21,698, with a rise of 16% among girls aged 16 to 19. The HPA said there were nevertheless encouraging early signs on changes to some STI patterns - gonorrhoea and syphilis had dropped by 1%.
