Sexual Health

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, coercion, discrimination and violence. Sexual health is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of individuals, couples and families, and to the social and economic development of communities and countries. Sexuality includes how someone thinks about and expresses them as a sexual being, including thoughts, actions, fantasies; sensuality. Sexuality is an integral part of the personality in everyone: man, woman and child. It is a basic need and an aspect of being human that cannot be separated from other aspects of life. Sexual health is evidenced in the free and responsible expressions of sexual capabilities that foster harmonious personal and social wellness, enriching individual and social life. Sexual health is not limited to the absence of disease or dysfunction, nor is it important confined to just the reproductive years. It includes the ability to understand and weigh the risks, responsibilities, outcomes and impacts of sexual actions and to the practice abstinence when appropriate. It includes freedom from sexual abuse and discrimination and the ability to integrate their sexuality into their lives, derive pleasure from it, and to reproduce if they so choose.

 

 

Sexual and Reproductive Health Care includes care, access, and experiences of medical health relating to sexual and reproductive areas such as: STIs and HIV, pap testing, prostate exams, pregnancy testing, birth control, abortion, birth, transgender care, etc.

Sexual health is influenced by many personal and social factors such as: Our values and beliefs, Upbringing, Culture, Religion, Indigenous Status, Spirituality, The people around us, Our personal experiences, Societal expectations, Legal and/or sexual rights.

Sexual health-related issues are wide-ranging, and encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, sexual expression, relationships, and pleasure. They also include negative consequences or conditions such as:

·        infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and their adverse outcomes (such as cancer and infertility);

·        unintended pregnancy and abortion;

·        sexual dysfunction;

·        sexual violence; and

·        Harmful practices (such as female genital mutilation, FGM).

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to a condition passed from one person to another through sexual contact. A person can contract an STD by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the STD. An STD may also be called a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or venereal disease (VD).That doesn’t mean sex is the only way STDs are transmitted. Depending on the specific STD, infections may also be transmitted through sharing needles and breastfeeding.

Signs and symptoms may include: Clear, white, greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge, Discharge from the penis, Strong vaginal odour, Vaginal itching or irritation, Itching or irritation inside the penis, Pain during sexual intercourse, Painful urination.

Many different types of infections can be transmitted sexually. The most common STDs are: Chlamydia, HPV (human papillomavirus), Syphilis, HIV, Gonorrhoea, Pubic lice (‘crabs’), Trichomoniasis, Herpes.

Safer sex is all about protecting yourself and your partners from sexually transmitted infections. Safer sex helps you stay healthy and can even make sex better.

 

 

STDs can be prevented:

·        Abstinence - The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex.

·        Vaccines - They are safe, effective and recommended ways to prevent Hepatitis B and HPV.

·        Reduce Number of Sex Partners – If you have more than one sex partner, it is imperative that you and your partners tested, and that you share your test results with one another.

·        Mutual Monogamy - Being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STDs.

·        Use Condoms - Correct and consistent use of the male latex condom is highly effective in reducing STD transmission. Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Unintended pregnancy

Unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is either unwanted, such as the pregnancy that occurred when no children or no more children were desired. Or the pregnancy is mistimed, such as the pregnancy occurred earlier than desired. 

Birth control, also known as contraception, is designed to prevent pregnancy. Birth control methods may work in a number of different ways:

·        Preventing sperm from getting to the eggs. Types include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges.

·        Keeping the woman's ovaries from releasing eggs that could be fertilized. Types include birth control pills, patches, shots, vaginal rings, and emergency contraceptive pills.

·        IUDs, devices which are implanted into the uterus. They can be kept in place for several years.

·        Sterilization, which permanently prevents a woman from getting pregnant or a man from being able to get a woman pregnant.

Abortion

Induced abortion is the active termination or ending of a pregnancy through a medical procedure. There are 2 types of induced abortions: aspiration abortion (sometimes called surgical abortion) or medication abortion (sometimes called medical abortion). It is legal to have an abortion if doctors agree that it would be better for your health and wellbeing to end the pregnancy than to continue it. Although abortion can be carried out until 24 weeks into pregnancy, 90% of all abortions take place in the first 12 weeks. The earlier in pregnancy the abortion takes place the safer it is for the woman. Early in pregnancy the woman may be given a choice of abortion method and is likely to have her abortion locally.

Reproductive rights

Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:

Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence.