Prioritise your Sexual Health: Everything you need to know

Introduction

As a young person navigating relationships, identity and newly found independence, it’s important that we’re making sure to take care of ourselves and prioritizing our sexual health. By doing so, you are making the most empowering and important decisions you can make. It’s something that it’s not discussed, mainly due to negative stigma or awkwardness. But it does matter, because it plays a role in protecting your physical, emotional and mental well-being, while ensuring you are staying guarded and safe.

What is 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 just the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. 

Furthemore it involves an overall positive, respectful experience and the ability to have pleasurable, safe sexual encounters without feeling coerced or discriminated against. 

Therefore, in order to protect your sexual health, you must know and understand your own body, set boundaries for yourself, clearly communicate what you are and aren’t comfortable with and take advantage of the reliable healthcare resources available to you. 

The Importance of Prioritizing your Sexual Health

It’s a shame that there’s such awareness surrounding the topic, because your sexual health has such a significant impact on many areas of your life. This includes your physical wellbeing, your mental state and your romantic life. Let’s go through some examples: 

• Protect your personal well being 
• Preventing Sexual transmitting infections 
• Recognizing unhealthy and abusive relationships whilst promoting healthier ones 
• Building up your confidence and self-esteem 
• Reaffirming your body autonomy and choices 

Now that we have gone through the definition and importance of sexual health, let’s unpack some key information that everyone should know: 

Educate yourself on the Symptoms of STI’s

Part of prioritizing your sexual health is being educated, and knowing the different STI’s and their symptoms: 

• Chlamydia: Pain or burning when urinating, Unusual discharge from private parts, pain during sex, bleeding between periods for women and pain or swelling in the testicles in men. 
• Gonorrhoea: Thick yellow/green/white discharge, pain or burning when urinating, pain or tenderness in lower abdomen for women and pain or swelling in testicles in men.  
• Genital Herpes (HSV): Painful blisters or sores around genitals, anus or mouth, itching, tingling or a burn prior to the blisters, pain when urinating and flu-like symptoms.
• HIV: Early stages include flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and feeling fatigue, and excessive weight loss, night sweats and frequent infections due to the fact the immune system is weakening. 

Get yourself tested Regularly 

It’s advised to get tested once a year, or at least every time you change your sexual partners. It’s important to know that not every STI shows symptoms. This means that you may have a STI, and not even know it. Hence why it is important to ensure that you are getting tested. The NHS sexual health clinics offer free testing to everyone no matter your age, gender, ethnicity or sexuality. All you have to do is visit their website and find the nearest clinic near you.

Use Protection

Condoms are the most common and effective form of protection. Additionally, it is the most effective way to protect yourself against both STIs and unwanted pregnancy during penetrative sex. Other forms of protection can be used during oral and manual sex, such as Dental Dams and gloves. There is no shame in carrying protection around. Rather it is a very smart and incentive thing to do and is a key way to protect your and prioritize your sexual health. 

Understanding Consent 

Consent is defined by section 74 Sexual Offences Act 2003. It states that “someone consent to vaginal, anal or oral penetration only if s/he agrees by choice that penetration only if s/he agrees by choice to that penetration and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.”

“Consent to sexual activity may be given to one sort of sexual activity but not another, e.g.to vaginal but not anal sex or penetration with conditions, such as wearing a condom. Consent can be withdrawn at any time during sexual activity and each time activity occurs.”

Therefore, consent should be clear, enthusiastic, and a consistent agreement between all parties involved. Without it, sexual activity is unacceptable and unlawful. Therefore to protect and prioritize your sexual health and ensure healthy sexual experiences, educate yourself on giving, asking and recognising consent. 

Explore different contraception options 

Condoms are not the only form of contraceptives. There are many different options for you to explore, if you are sexually active but don’t desire to become pregnant. 

There are short-lasting options including the pill, contraceptive patch, vaginal rings, injections and implants. And then there are long lasting options including a IUD and IUS. Do your research before being sexually active to figure out what works best for you, and avoid ending up in unwanted predicaments.  

Look after your Emotional Health

The information explored above mainly relates back to your physical health. However, your emotional health matters just as much. Sexual experiences can bring out all different types of emotions. This ranges from excitement, anxiety or at times regret. Therefore it’s important to check in with yourself emotionally and mentally. If something feels off, it probably is. Remind yourself you have the right to stop and say no. And if you feel bad after, talk to someone you trust. 

Conclusion

Prioritizing your sexual health is vital and key. You want to make sure physically and mentally you are in the best shape possible. So look after yourself in all aspects.

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