Sexual health is crucial for overall well-being. It is important to take good care of sexual health to avoid life threatening condition in future
While sex can be enjoyable, it can also be riddled with risks. Sexually transmitted diseases can be painful and have long term effects that include loss of fertility. Taking care of sexual health means acquiring more knowledge about STDs among other things. Here are some aspects of sexual health that you should know about:
Sex basics
A proper understanding of the cycle of desire, stimulation, and response is important to help enhance sexual health.
Knowledge about reproduction
Sexual health and reproduction are linked. It is essential to be acquainted with the birth control steps as well as the methods couples need to adopt in order to have a healthy pregnancy.
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Vaginal dryness
Women go through various phases in their lives. During pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, they may experience no vaginal lubrication. This can make sex painful for them. However, there are solutions for the issue.
Desire issues
A common cause of conflict between couples is the difference in the desire levels of the partners.
Erectile dysfunction
There are many reasons why men may face this issue during sex.
Identification of infection
Know about the signs and symptoms of the STDs and also the results of the infection.
Prevention
Taking the right steps to prevent the spread of the infection helps protect your and your partner’s health.
Testing
Regular examination and testing is an essential part of taking care of sexual health. When you go for a check up to see if you have a STD, you can start treatment for the same and protect your sexual partners.
Living with an infection
Certain STDs including herpes, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis will remain life-long with you. You need to find out ways to cope with the infections in the long run.
Diagnosis
If you are sexually active, it is imperative that you visit a health care provider regularly to discuss sexual health issues and for regular health check-ups. Most people are embarrassed to visit a doctor and wait for long before they consult a doctor. Sometimes it is too late for them when they visit a doctor. It is important that you visit a doctor as soon as you face some concerns instead of waiting for long.
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A sexual health check-up is when a doctor or nurse examines you for sexual health issues including sexually transmitted diseases.
Here are some circumstances under which it is advisable to visit a doctor for a checkup
• Infection
• Unsafe sex, including oral, vaginal and anal sex
• Breakage of condom during sex
• Having more than one sexual partner
• Shared needles
• Starting new sexual relationship
A sexual health care provider will enquire about your sexual history. He/she might want to know about the number of sexual partners that you have had, the kind of sexual activities that you may have engaged in, if you have had sex with both men and women, and if you have taken drugs or shared needles. It might be uncomfortable to answer the questions, but it is essential to give accurate information to get the best advice.
During your check-up, your doctor may want to examine your external genital area for any signs of the infection. Several tests may be conducted including a blood test, urine test, swabs, and for women, a vaginal examination, such as a Pap smear may be done. During the health check-up, feel free to ask any question that you may have regarding sexual health.
Tips
Sexual health is an important part of overall wellbeing. To take care of your sexual health and for better satisfying sex, here are some vital tips.
• Eat healthy – Pay attention to what you eat. Healthy food nourishes your system and enables you to be at your best in many things, including sex
• Quit smoking – Smoking decreases your vitality. It constricts the blood vessels in the body and can make it very difficult to maintain an erection
• Shed weight – Obese people are at risk of contracting a wide range of illnesses and this can affect sexual health.
• Decrease alcohol consumption – Studies have shown that consuming plenty of alcohol has a negative effect on the sexual abilities of men and women
• Protect yourself – If you are not ready for pregnancy, make sure to protect yourself with a contraceptive.
Keep these points in mind to ensure that your sexual health is excellent at all times.
