Running Head: SEXUAL HEALTH

Sexual Health
 Running Head: SEXUAL HEALTH

1.0 Introduction and Definition of Sexual Health

The sexual health definition has evolved since the initial definition by the World Health

Organization in 1975. The World Health Organization defined sexual health as “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 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 coercion, discrimination, and violence. For

sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be

respected, protected, and fulfilled” (World Health, 2002).

Sexual health is a sexuality approach founded on the knowledge, personal awareness, and

self-acceptance where individuals’ values, emotions, and behaviors are integrated with the

personality structure of individuals and their self-definition. Sexual health entails intimate

abilities with partners, the ability to communicate sexual needs and desires, and the individual’s

ability to be sexually functional i.e. having the desire, the ability to become aroused, and

obtaining sexual satisfaction and fulfillment (Gruskin et al., 2019).

Sexual health involves the aspect of communal which reflects the personal self-acceptance,

respect, appreciation of personal differences and diversity, and the sense of individual belonging

to a certain sexual culture. Sexual health also entails self-esteem feelings, individual level of

attractiveness, competence, and freedom from sexually transmitted infections, sexual

dysfunctions, and sexual assaults (Gruskin et al., 2019). Sexual is a vital part of human

psychological and physiological health. It is an imperative part of human being identity held
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together with basic human rights including privacy, family life, and a life free from being

discriminated (Mitchell et al., 2021). Better sexual health is depicted by healthy relationships and

sexual satisfaction and increased access to information and services related to sexual health to

avoid the risks of unwanted pregnancies and sexual illness. Therefore, sexual health is not

inclined to absence of sexual illnesses and sexual dysfunctions but it is essentially confined to

individual reproduction time frame. It entails the person’s abilities and capabilities of

understanding and weighing the associated risk, responsibilities, roles, outcomes, and effects of

sexual activities.

1.1 Components of Sexual Health

The main components of Sexual health entail physical, emotional, mental, and social well-

being related to sexuality (Brown & Prinstein, 2011). It is not only the absence of illness and

dysfunction but it involves positive sexuality approaches and sexual relationships and the

possibility of individuals experiencing pleasurable, safe, coercion free, free of violence, and free

of discrimination sexual experiences. An individual’s perspective of sexual health means the

freedom of not having sexually transmitted infections, reproductive and sexual health-related

problems including prostate cancer, and cervical cancer, and also avoidance of unplanned

pregnancies.

The perspective of sexual health from various national and international health organizations

including the center for disease control and prevention, the World Health Organization, and the

World Association of Sexual Health, sexual health is described as the presence of healthy and

positive individual characteristics (Brown & Prinstein, 2011). These characteristics enable
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individuals to express their sexuality in their lifestyles and with consistency with their values,

and beliefs with no barriers. Generally, the components of sexual health involve the common

individual set of skills and attributes, the thinking ability, and making critical decisions of

supporting one own’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being and health and entering

into relationships termed as healthy relationships with others.

1.2 Sexual Health Awareness

Sexual awareness refers to the state of an individual’s acknowledgement of the level of their

sexuality such as the innate connections to their health and reproductive health (Gadkari et al.,

2012). Sexual health awareness entails learning and understanding the mental, emotional, and

physical well-being of individuals and their sexual partners. It involves the recognition of own

sexual orientation, individual protection roles from themselves and partners from sexually

transmitted infections, and having a satisfactory and safe sexual relationship (Gadkari et al.,

2012). Sexual health awareness helps in understanding ways of practicing healthy sexuality

including using protection, consent, age, and communication during sexual activity.

Communication is vital during sexual activity; it enhances efficient discussion on the needs and

preferences of the partners. Communication helps in developing healthy sexual relationships and

makes partners feel safe, and comfortable while deepening the intimacy of the relationship.

Sexual health awareness enhances understanding of age factors in sexual activity. Sexuality is

not about being physical but it entails emotions, communication, and consent. Consent in

sexuality involves the partner providing clear communications on whether to get involved in any

kind of sexual activity or not and ensuring that the partner is of legal age.
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1.3 Sexual health problems (issues)

Globally, sexual health problems are seen as taboo and individuals fear talking about them.

Sexual health problems include diseases including sexually transmitted infections, unwanted

pregnancies, abortion, and sexual dysfunction. It is noted that many things affect the sexual

health of individuals ("Sexual Health and Sexual Problems," 2018). The associated factors

include age, life stage, individual sexual experiences, religious norms and beliefs, culture, sexual

abuse, body stress, physical health, and psychological health ("Sexual Health and Sexual

Problems," 2018). Sexual health is largely affected by sexually transmitted infections including

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia Hepatitis, Herpes, HIV/AIDS. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

and Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen).

Sexual dysfunction is also a sexual health problem affecting a significant number of

individuals. It is prevalent in both men and women and the rates increase among the aging

populations. The dysfunction occurs in different areas of the sexual response cycle including

desire, arousal, and organism (Stringer, 2016). Generally, it impacts the desire of indulging in

sexual activity, sexual enjoyment, and sexual life satisfaction. Sexual dysfunction is associated

with mental and physical diseases including depression, diabetes, alcohol consumption and

substance abuse.

The prevalent sexual health problems in men include erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory

disorders, low sex drive, performance anxiety, and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the difficulty of getting and maintaining an erection during

sexual activity. It is a common sexual dysfunction in men and increasing in aging individuals, it

affects individuals aged 40 and above years (Rew, 2021). ED increases the risk of developing

physiological and psychological health problems including diabetes, nerve disorder, high blood

pressure, penis injury, depression, anxiety, and heart disease.

Ejaculatory disorders include premature ejaculation (PE) and delayed ejaculation (DE). In this

case, individuals find it hard to control when to ejaculate or take a longer time to ejaculate during

sexual activity. Men also experience painful ejaculation called retrograde ejaculation where the

ejaculation is released back into the bladder rather than coming out of the penis. Men experience

anejaculation due to the inability of ejaculating during sexual activity (Rew, 2021).

Low sex drive is caused by factors such as medical conditions including cancer and low

testosterone. Mental factors such as depression and stress also contribute to low sex drive in men

(Rew, 2021). Low sex drive can be caused by individuals experiencing desire disorder including

hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Sexual dysfunction in women is of different forms and causes. The problems may occur

before sexual activity, during, and after sexual activity. The common sexual issues in women

include Anorgasmia, Dyspareunia (Pain during sex), Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and

Sexual arousal disorder. sexual dysfunction in women is related to physical and Psychological

causes:
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Anorgasmia: anorgasmia refers to persistent, and delayed or absent orgasm attainment after

enough sexual stimulation (Jenkins & Mulhall, 2015). Various factors such as intimacy

problems, medical conditions, medications, and physical conditions cause anorgasmia.

Treatments for anorgasmia include the use of sexual enhancement devices, therapy and sexual

stimulation education.

Dyspareunia is persistent pain with sexual intercourse causing distress. It is considered

superficial and leading to pain during vaginal insertion (Hill & Taylor, 2021). This causes an

increased risk of sexual dysfunction, distress, depression, and anxiety. The condition may affect

the mental and physical health of the individual, the relationship with their partners, and

conceiving efforts. It can be diagnosed through provoked vulvodynia, inadequate lubrication,

postpartum dyspareunia, and vaginal atrophy. The treatment is performed depending on the

cause of the condition including pelvic floor physical therapy, lubricants, and surgery (Seehusen

et al., 2014).

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: refers to persistent deficient sexual fantasies and desires

of sexual activity leading to distress. It is characterized by the deficiency of sexual feelings,

thoughts, and receptiveness to sexual stimulation, the condition leads to distress in individuals.

HSDD has no known single cause, but it is associated with the physiological, psychological, and

socio-cultural factors underpinning female sexual desire.

Physical causes include:

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a) Blood flow disorders: Such as vascular disorders which may prevent the flow of blood to

the female reproductive system especially the vagina, clitoris, and labia which need enough

blood for effective sexual arousal.

b) Medications and treatments: Various medications and treatments affect sexual

functionality in women. Antidepressants have been associated with decreased sex drive in

women and orgasm ability. Chemotherapy and related cancer medications affect the levels of

the hormone leading to sexual health problems.

c) Hormone imbalances: This causes vaginal dryness or vaginal atrophy, thus making sex

painful. Low estrogen levels reduce feeling in the genitals. Changes in hormone levels in

women can be caused by the onset of menopause, pregnancy, and surgical operations.

d) Gynecologic health conditions: conditions such as Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine

fibroids, and vaginitis causes pain during sex. Vaginismus, a condition that causes vaginal

muscle spasms, makes sexual activity uncomfortable.

Psychological causes include: Depression, a history of physical or sexual abuse, Relationship

problems, and Stress

1.4 Sexually Healthy Individuals characteristics

The characteristics of individuals with healthy sexual life involve various aspects of

individuals life including relationships, communication, education, self-esteem and self-worth,

and individual values (Biney & Dodoo, 2016). The aspect of relation as a characteristic of a

sexually healthy individual entails the ability to develop friends with no sexual agenda, avoiding

being in exploitative relationships with others, and being sexually intimate without physical
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expressions i.e. expressing sexual feelings and using verbal attractions. Communication involves

the capability of interacting with individuals of different gender appropriately and respectfully,

the desire of asking questions related to sexual health issues when the necessity arises, sexual

limits communication and negotiations, accepting sexual activity refusal without the feeling of

being insulted and hostility, and communication with sexual partners concerning the sexual

activity, sexual limits, contraceptive measures and the significance of the relationship.

Self-worth and self-esteem imply that one is aware of the effects of negative sexual

encounters including abuse on personal sexual development. Self-esteem enables individuals to

take the required steps in addressing sexual health issues arising. And this aids in individual

psychological and emotional healing from what occurred in the past (Biney & Dodoo, 2016).

Education helps individuals to identify the impacts of sexual activity, understand and

comprehend that sex drive is powerful and is integrated into the life of individuals healthily and

positively, and respect people’s rights of engagement in consensual, and non-exploitive sexual

characters.

1.5 Significance of Sexual Health Hygiene

Sexual health hygiene is important in reducing the chances of being infected in the private

parts and removing the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted infections (Hilber et al.,

2010). Various hygiene practices are used in men and women in enhancing their sexual health

hygiene. For women, sexual hygiene practices include avoiding washing intimate parts with gels,

frequently changing tampons and menstrual cups, regularly changing sanitary pads, and regularly

washing intimate parts (Hilber et al., 2010).

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Men’s sexual health hygiene involves genital washing and regular checkups. To improve

health and sexual life, men are also supposed to practice sexual health hygiene, this is because

the problem of dead skin built into genitals does not affect women alone but men also. In

between the foreskin and the penis, there is smegma which if not cleaned properly causes a bad

odor. The odor can be a turning point for the partner (Burns et al., 2016). Regular checkups of

the male genitals the male individuals help in determining if there existence of any symptoms

and signs of sexual-related health problems and enables one to seek medical attention in case of

noticeable signs such as pain during intercourse, pain during ejaculation, smell and color of

sperm, reddish, itching and pelvic pain.

1.6 Conclusion

Sexual health is an important part of human life and it affects and is affected by various health

components. Sexual health entails the physical, emotional, mental, and social health of

individuals. Individuals are considered to be in better sexual health if they are well-informed,

respectful, and careful of their health and that of others around them. Sexual health involves self-

enjoyment sexually in a way that an individual is comfortable and pleased with (Liang et al.,

2019). Staying healthy is a true reflection of the individual’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings.

Sexual health cannot be managed individually but with trusted people. It involves talking about

what is termed safe and what is okay. Sexuality is regarded as an important part of human

beings; it is seen as a basic need and a component that cannot be separated from life aspects.

Sexual health, therefore, is not synonymous with sexual activity but is the force that motivates

individuals to find love, warmth, contact, and intimacy. Sexual health is an expression of feelings
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of being sensual and sexual. Sexual health influences individuals’ thoughts, actions, feelings, and

interactions.
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