by Javay da BAE aka The Millennial Sexpert
September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, an important month for sex education, sexual health, and wellness overall. As a community resource for all things sexual health and wellness, we wanted to share some information with everyone so folks know how to prioritize their sexual health this month and always!
What is sexual health?
When people hear the phrase sexual health, they generally think of things like testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), safer sex practices, and pregnancy prevention, and though those things are a part of sexual wellness, they aren’t the whole picture. Sexual health, as defined by the American Sexual Health Association, is “the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. It is an important part of our physical and emotional health.” This broad definition includes everything that impacts your sexuality, like the sexual response cycle, types of sexual stimuli enjoyed, body image, fantasies, relationships with others, intimacy, gender identity, sexual orientation, reproductive health, contraceptives, the physical activity of sex, and so much more. If something impacts you as a sexual being, it is a part of your sexual health.
Why should you prioritize your sexual health?
Just like your general health and well-being, sexual health is an important component of your life. Your sexual health may not seem evident in every aspect of your life, but it is as integral to your health as any other system.. Stressed about work and struggling to find a way to release that energy? Masturbation can be a great outlet. Feeling like communication is lacking in your relationship? That’s a part of sexual health, and learning more tools and skills can help you. Exploring your sexual orientation or gender identity plays into your mental health in so many ways. Ensuring your sexual desires and needs are being met is also part of your sexual health. All these different things may seem inconsequential, but they have a great impact on our lives, and that is why it is important to prioritize sexual health.
Where to start with your sexual health?
There are a few different ways you can take a more proactive approach to your sexual health. A great starting point for everyone is getting STI tested to know your status. You can get tested with your medical provider, by going to a clinic or ordering an at-home testing kit. If you already stay on top of your STI testing–firstly, great job, and you could turn your attention to look at your emotional regulation and intelligence to make sure you can interact and engage in relationships and sexual activities with others in a way that is healthy and respectful of everyone evolved. You can also prioritize your sexual health by taking note of your sexual wants and desires, seeing where things aren’t the way you want them in your life and relationship, and thinking about ways you can change that.
Now that you have a little better understanding of sexual health, what are you going to prioritize in your life? If you want to learn more about sexual health and wellness, be sure to follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) to learn more, and stop into the store to ask any of our certified sex educators a question! And join us for our different workshop offerings to learn hands-on practical skills and more emotional/mental skills that impact your sexual health!
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