Introduction:
The definition of sexual health has evolved since the World Health Organization (WHO) published its original definition in 1975. The definition is expected to evolve as the cultural discourse evolves. It is important to remember that any attempt to create “norms” and an objective definition of sexual health is dangerous because it can be used to exclude people or label people as unhealthy or abnormal.
What is sexual health?
Sex-ual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not just the absence of disease, dysfunction or disability.
Sex-ual health requires a positive and respectful attitude towards sexuality and sexual relations, and the ability to experience enjoyable and safe sexual experiences without coercion, discrimination or violence.
Actions for good sex-ual health
The NCSH has identified five key actions to help people achieve a good sex life:
- Think about yourself and decide what’s right for you.
- Treat your partner and expect them to treat you right.
- Build good relationships.
- Be aware of your body and take care of it.
- Make personal health part of your health.
5 components of sexual health
1. Consent
Consent is one of the most important cornerstones of sex-ual health and the development of healthy sexual relationships. Consent is a universally recognized principle of sexual health, meaning that you are willing to engage in sexual activity or a relationship with someone. Let your partner know all the parts you want and need for sexual activity.
Being able to seek agreement throughout sexual interactions creates a safe space for each sexual partner to explore safety, pleasure, and experiences that fit each person’s needs. We can talk a lot about acceptance. More on that!
2. Non-Exploitation
Prevention of abuse is the second priority of sexual health. Coercion is when a person uses their power or control over another person to pursue their own interests. Sexual exploitation can take many forms, including the vulnerability of a person to a position of power, including obtaining economic, social or political benefits through sexual activity. Seduction occurs when a person uses power for sexual purposes against a more vulnerable person.
3. Honesty
Honesty is about communicating honestly with your partner about your health, needs, thoughts, wants, and desires. What does this look like? When it comes to sexual health, honesty equals openness to sexual pleasures, sexual experiences, and sex education. Without the ability to truly commit, sexual relationships cannot communicate well or uphold other principles of sexual health.
Tip: If you feel embarrassed about a sexual topic being discussed on social media or with a friend, take a deep breath and honestly examine your position. Why does this topic or question arise? What does it mean to be honest and vulnerable? This is very difficult, and often requires some soul-searching to understand more about what you really think, feel, want and need about sexual health.
4. Shared Values
Sexual values play an important role in sexual motivation. Values can be a way of identifying gender norms and ethics. Differences in values between you and your partner can be resolved through an honest, transparent conversation (both with your partner and with yourself) that helps clarify your sexual values. Something that can help you start exploring your sexual health is to consider a few questions:
- Am I satisfied with my sexual health?
- Am I satisfied and confident in my sexual health?
- Am I open about my sexual health?
- How was my sexual health going? values and beliefs about sexual health have changed over time?
- Am I ready to explore my sexual health and challenge my beliefs?
- What do I need to be sexually happy?
- What gives me sexual satisfaction? ?
- What do I need sexually from my partner?
- What do I not like about it?
- Where do I draw the line?
- What doesn’t feel good?
There are many ways to explore your sexual values, and these questions can provide an opportunity to explore and reveal your sexuality values may mean to you.
5. Pleasure
This final pillar of sexual health involves pleasure. Pleasure may be the primary motivation for same-sex activity and for giving and receiving between sexual partners. According to the Harvey Institute, “Sexual health at all stages of life is the art of balancing sexual safety and responsibility with lifelong pleasure, exploring sexual interests, and remaining curious about ever-changing sources of sexual pleasure.” What looks good on you may not look good on someone else. Everyone is different when it comes to sexual pleasure. There is no “right way” to experience sexual pleasure. Finding ways to create and increase pleasure alone and with partners can be an important part of sexual health!
Protects against STIs, HIV and unwanted pregnancies
This rule includes the require for anybody locks in in sexual movement to actualize a contraception arrange and a arrange for the anticipation of obtaining or transmitting a sexually transmitted contamination and/or HIV. This incorporates get to to tests to distinguish STIs and legitimate restorative consideration to address any disease and get to to comprehensive therapeutically exact sexual wellbeing care and instruction.
Need of therapeutically precise sexual wellbeing instruction and data could be a noteworthy issue within the Joined together States. As of October 2021, as it were 39 states command sex instruction and/or HIV instruction, and of those states, as it were 18 require that the program substance is therapeutically precise. Furthermore, as it were 20 states require the arrangement of contraception with only 16 states requiring an comprehensive see of sexual introduction.
There’s a parcel of work to be tired this region! Numerous adolescents––even those blessed sufficient to have school-based sex education––may not be uncovered to restoratively exact data almost HIV, STIs, and contraception.
What impacts Sexual Health?
How we define health varies from person to person. This is because a person’s health is influenced by many personal and social factors, such as:
- Our values and beliefs
- Religion
- Religion
- Citizenship of power
- Spirituality
- People around us
- Personal experience
- Public expectations
- Legal and social problems/human rights
Think about what affects your health. Regarding sexual health… (if applicable) What message did you receive from your family? friends? community? do you mean prayer? spirit? What are your own values and beliefs?
The way we live our sexuality is also part of our life experience. For example, health researchers have discovered that there are many factors that affect our health, including people’s health. These are known as “social determinants of health” and include the impact of income, education, employment, child development, nutrition, housing, health services, gender, race, disability, citizenship, social exclusion and social services for health.
Conclusion:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), human well-being is the physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to food. It is not simply the absence of disease, weakness or infirmity.
What are the key points of sexual health?
Key conceptual elements of sexual health
Sexual health is about well-being, not merely the absence of disease.
Sexual health involves respect, safety and freedom from discrimination and violence.
Sexual health depends on the fulfilment of certain human rights.
What are 3 characteristics of good sexual health?
Healthy sexuality is all about self-awareness, education about reproductive health, and positive, open communication. One important key to healthy sexuality is consent. Another is a willingness to communicate openly and honestly. It’s important to add compromise, boundaries, and respect to that mix too!
