Sexuality is an important part of being human. Love, affection and sexual intimacy play an important role in healthy relationships, and also contribute to your sense of well-being. But some disorders can affect men's and women's ability to have or enjoy sex. These may include fear of possible unwanted pregnancy, infertility concerns, sexually transmitted diseases, or medications that affect sexual desire. These are all real and important factors in sexual health, they just need to be normalised so that they do not become a hindrance to sexual health.
Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or disability. For sexual health to be achieved and maintained, the sexual rights of all people must be respected, protected and fully exercised. We must be aware that sexuality is central to our lives and encompasses not only sex, gender identities and roles, eroticism, intimacy, pleasure, sexual orientation and reproduction.
Sexual health is having healthy relationships, respecting each other, enjoying sex, having safe and protected sex, and not doing anything you don't want to do. One of the big misconceptions about sexual health is to relate it directly to sex. Here, it is important to stress that sexuality is much broader and its dimensions range from the purely biological to the psychological and social;
“Sexuality goes far beyond having sex”.”
For good sexual health, there are a number of guidelines that can be followed in relation to the following good habits. Sexual health is closely related to mental health, as sexual dysfunctions can lead to nervousness, insecurity and even depression and anxiety. To achieve good sexual health we advise you:
It is very important to know about risky practices and the methods available to avoid the dangers associated with sexuality. Of course, it is important to know what a healthy relationship is and where to go when problems arise.
Lack of information about sexuality and our bodies affects our sexual health. We need to improve our self-awareness and education about the elements that support sexual growth and well-being.
Emotions also play an important role in this area of health, which is directly connected with the mental well-being. Maintaining an emotionally healthy relationship with a sexual partner, avoiding stress or having high self-esteem are factors that help in this area.
By exercising we will experience an emotional improvement. These exercises are not only aimed at having more satisfying sex, but also help to prevent urine leakage, maintain bowel control and prevent premature ejaculation.
In addition to sedentary lifestyles and diets high in saturated fats, there are other bad habits linked to sexual dysfunction. Tobacco smoke is extremely harmful as it causes premature ageing of the arteries, which can lead to erectile dysfunction.
A balanced diet and healthy eating are part of the healthy habits that help prevent obesity. Diet also has an impact on sexual relations; in fact, women's sexual behaviour can be diets high in saturated fats can decrease sperm concentration in ejaculation.
Hygiene is a very important factor. It is important to clean the sexual organs with soap and water before and after sex.
Physical and mental health directly influence sexual health. There are psychological and organic health problems. Examples of the latter include pelvic pain, perineal lesions, urinary incontinence and pudendal neuralgia. Once the pathology has been diagnosed, there are treatments that help to avoid these organic problems, which can often lead to erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation in men.
Avoiding risky sexual practices is also part of the decalogue of “good habits”. Among the most important is the use of contraceptive methods to avoid not only unwanted pregnancies, but also Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), whose only preventive method is the condom.
40% of adults admit to having had risky sex at some time. The lack of protective measures is compounded by the fact that a large number of STDs do not show symptoms until they reach their most advanced stages.
STDs are a cause of acute illness, chronic illness, infertility and death, with serious medical, psychological, economic and social consequences. That is why, when in doubt or after having had a risky relationship, you should be screened for STDs. STI test to detect any of these diseases early and treat them as soon as possible.
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