Sexual health is a condition of physical, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. Not only is it freedom from disease, dysfunction, or weakness, but it also includes the ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life, and to decide whether, when, and how often to reproduce.
To maintain sexual health, you can:
- Access accurate information
- Use contraceptive methods that are safe, effective, affordable, and acceptable
- Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections
- Check your health regularly
- Consult a doctor if you have complaints
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Sexual health is part of Human Rights (HAM). These rights are absolute and universal, and include the right to seek, receive, and communicate information related to sexuality, receive sexual education, and have respect for bodily integrity.
If you are experiencing sexual violence or coercion, do not hesitate to seek help.
A healthy sexual relationship is characterized by the following key elements:
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Mutual Consent: Both partners enthusiastically agree to engage in sexual activity. There is no coercion, pressure, or exploitation involved.
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Mutual Respect: Each partner respects the other’s boundaries, needs, and right to make decisions about their own body and sexuality.
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Open Communication: The partners feel comfortable discussing their desires, concerns, and boundaries openly and honestly with each other.
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Shared Pleasure and Satisfaction: The sexual activity is pleasurable and satisfying for both partners, not just one-sided.
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Safety and Protection: The partners use protection against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy as appropriate.
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Autonomy and Agency: Each partner has the freedom and ability to make their own choices about their sexual and reproductive health.
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Absence of Abuse: The relationship is free from any form of sexual, physical, emotional, or psychological abuse or violence.
Ultimately, a healthy sexual relationship is built on trust, respect, consent, and the mutual well-being of both partners. It allows for the safe, satisfying, and empowered exploration of sexuality.
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Scope:
- Sexual health encompasses a broader range of aspects related to sexuality, including sexual function, sexual pleasure, and sexual rights.
- Reproductive health is more narrowly focused on fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth.
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Components:
- Sexual health includes fertility regulation, but also encompasses other aspects like sexual rights and sexual pleasure.
- Reproductive health primarily deals with fertility regulation, pregnancy, and childbirth.
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Underlying Conditions:
- The underlying etiologies and management approaches for sexual health and reproductive health conditions can differ.
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Engagement:
- Sexual health takes a more positive approach, focusing on sexuality and reproduction, not just the absence of disease or dysfunction.
- Reproductive health has historically been more focused on controlling fertility, rather than a broader view of sexual and reproductive wellbeing.
In summary, while there is significant overlap, sexual health has a broader scope that includes aspects like sexual function, sexual rights, and sexual pleasure, beyond just fertility regulation. Reproductive health is more narrowly focused on fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth. The two concepts are related but distinct in their components and underlying approaches.
