Ways to Maintain Your Sexual Health - Page 4

Sexual health includes a whole lot more than condom use and annual pap smears.  It is a compilation of physical health, responsibility and values, as well as knowledge of emotional attitudes and assessment of behavior. Most importantly, sexual health is something that should be maintained way before you get in between the sheets.  Don’t know where to start?  Here’s some help:

1) Annual Pap Smears and STI testing:

Women should see a clinician or gynecologist at least once a year once they’ve become sexually active or are over the age of 18.  During a pap smear a clinician will take a sample of cervical cells to test for abnormalities or any indications of cervical cancer.  While pap smears can be uncomfortable they usually only take a few minutes. Gynecological exams can also reveal the presence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it is important to inform the clinician or staff if you are worried that you’ve been exposed to an STI.  Most clinics do not test for these without the patient’s consent. Be proactive about your health and make the request.

Males do not need exams nearly as often, but should definitely see a doctor if they have issues or concerns.  If health insurance and cost are concerns, many family planning agencies can provide services and supplies for free or no cost.

Most important:  If you are regularly engaging in unprotected or protected sex, get tested at least once a year.  Some STI’s have no symptoms at all and many such as herpes can be spread through skin-to-skin contact as well as vaginal, anal or oral sex.

2) Know where to go for resources:

Most unplanned pregnancies or STI infections occur because people are misinformed or uniformed about where to go for information.  Take a step beyond your middle-school sexual health class and research your options.  There is more to the Internet than YouTube and Facebook (A Google search on sexual health yielded about 19,000,000 results).  A sexually healthy person knows where to find support and guidance when it comes to sexual decision making.  Most organizations can provide resources that are free and confidential if you are over the age of 13.  (Get started by visiting one of the sites listed at the end of this article.)

4) Communicate with your partner.

Regardless of if intercourse takes place in a relationship or not, both partners should be in agreement on a variety of elements that come into play when sex is involved.  Sex isn’t something that is always planned or scheduled, but a discussion about sexual history and birth control can help you both relax and enjoy the experience.  Getting tested together can also help bring partners closer and build trust, but keep in mind that HIV results can take up to six months to be confirmed.  Conversations about sex aren’t always the most comfortable, but neither are STI symptoms.

Consent, values and expectations are also things to consider when communicating with a partner.  Are you having sex just for pleasure or are you expecting something more out of the experience?  Are you comfortable expressing your desires?  Sex can complicate things and a sexually healthy person understands that communication can help clear up misunderstandings.

5) Maintain confidence and positive self-image

Sex can be a confidence booster, but confidence is something every individual should possess whether they are sexually active or not.  People have sex for many reasons; as long as you and your partner are comfortable with those reasons and not harming each other or anyone else, sex can be gratifying experience that enhances a relationship.  An individual should also be comfortable exploring their sexual interests while respecting the values and ideas of others.  Sexually healthy relationships are those of consent, agreement and pleasure.  If you feel something is missing from your life and you are generally unhappy with yourself, sex will only temporarily fill the void.

6) Identify your sexual values and respect the values of others.

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.  We all have opinions about what is acceptable when it comes to sex, but if you never investigate your thoughts and ideas on sex, you’re likely to be manipulated or coerced into a situation you may not agree with. “What are your reasons for engaging in sex?”  “When do you think the time is right to enter a sexual relationship?” “How does sex conflict with your culture and religion?” “Who am I attracted to?” are all questions that may come into play while exploring your sexuality.  Once you identify your sexual values, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t  always stick to them.  You won’t make the right decision all of the time, but it is important to have values to which you can refer.

7) Maintain your hygiene and vaginal health.

The vagina is a complicated organ.  A sexually healthy woman practices good hygiene and understands how to maintain vaginal health. Douches are typically discouraged by health professionals since the vagina is a self-cleansing organ that independently maintains a naturally healthy balance of yeast and bacteria.  Don’t be afraid to become comfortable with your body by exploring it.  Keep track of menstrual cycles as well.  If you know what your vagina looks and smells like when it is healthy, you will be better able to determine when there is a cause for concern.

8) Maintain your reproductive health.

Males and females who plan to have children in the future should take steps in advance to maintain their reproductive health.  Eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight are a few things you can do to give yourself a better chance of reproducing in the future.  Regular STI testing is especially important due to the fact that many are asymptomatic.  Untreated STI’s can lead to complications within the reproductive organs and can result in infertility, sterility, birth defects and miscarriage.

9) Know the laws in your state.

Many laws govern sexual conduct and can change according to the state in which you’re located.  When entering into a sexual relationship it is important to become familiar with rape, statutory rape, sexual misconduct and child pornography laws.  Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it.

For more information:

www.avert.org

www.siecus.org

www.plannedparenthood.org