What reproductive health check-ups should I get?
These may include STI tests, pap smears, fertility tests, breast exams, or testicular exams. They help find problems early. This keeps you healthy in the long run.
Sexual Health 101: Your Guide to Confidence and Care
By Dr. Sharon Kumar
With a strong academic background in dentistry and clinical exposure, Dr. Sharon who has studied at PDM Dental College, brings a valuable blend of medical knowledge and communication skills to health content writing. She is passionate about creating clear, compassionate, and evidence-based content on topics such as general wellness, sexual health, oral care, and patient education. Her goal is to make complex medical information easy to understand, relatable, and genuinely helpful for readers seeking clarity on their health concerns. Dr. Sharon believes in the power of well-researched, empathetic content to educate and empower people to make better health decisions. Whether it’s writing about preventive care or breaking down myths in sexual wellness, her content always balances science with sensitivity.
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• 20th June 2025
Why This Was Updated?
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information became available.
Updated on 20th June 2025
- Article was updated as part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
4 min. read
INGeneral Sexual Education
Quick Read
Sexual health is about feeling good and safe when it comes to sex, your body, and your relationships. It’s not just about avoiding diseases or not getting pregnant, and it’s also about how you feel inside. It means being comfortable with yourself, making choices that are right for you, and feeling respected by your partner. It includes using protection like condoms, picking the right birth control, getting regular check-ups, and talking openly with your partner. It’s also about feeling okay to say yes or no, and knowing that it’s always okay to change your mind. Things like stress, sleep, diet, and even how we feel about our bodies can affect our sex life. So, taking care of your health overall can help your sex life too. Everyone’s experience is different, and that’s okay. Whether you’re straight, queer, single, married, or still figuring things out, you deserve respect, support, and clear information. At the end of the day, sexual health is about knowing your body, making choices that feel right, and not being afraid to ask for help if you need it.
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Sexual health is an important part of our overall well-being. It’s not just about the body. It also includes our feelings, thoughts, relationships, and how we connect with others when it comes to sexuality.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is not only the absence of disease or dysfunction but involves a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, and feeling confident about yourself sexually.
In simple words, sexual health means feeling good and healthy in your body, mind, and relationships when it comes to sex and sexuality. It’s not just about not having any diseases. It includes having safe, respectful, and enjoyable sexual experiences without any judgments.
Sexual health also means no one should be forced, hurt, or treated unfairly because of their sexuality. For everyone to have good sexual health, their rights must be respected and protected.
Sexual Health has become much more than just preventing diseases or unplanned pregnancies, now it is more about having a positive physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. This means feeling safe, respected, and informed in our sexual experiences and relationships.
Everyone’s journey with sexual health is unique. People from different backgrounds, including those from LGBTQ+ communities [1], have diverse experiences and needs. With the rise of online dating and more open conversations about sexual experiences, it’s essential to provide sexual health education that perfectly fits in today’s world. Such education ensures that all individuals, regardless of their identity or experience, have access to the knowledge and resources they need to make informed and confident decisions about their sexual well-being.
Understanding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) play an important role in maintaining the sexual health of an individual. So, what is a sexually transmitted disease? These are the infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Also called Sexually Transmitted Infections STIs.
They are of a wide variety, and symptoms can also vary. Many STIs are asymptomatic, making regular check-ups important for sexually active individuals.
STI symptoms [2] might include
- Itching
- Unusual discharge
- Pain in the genital area
- Swelling in the genital area.
Common STIs include
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- Trichomoniasis.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect more than just your physical health, they can also impact your emotions and mental well-being.
After a diagnosis, it’s common to feel emotions like shame, guilt, or anxiety. These feelings are often intensified by societal stigma, which may lead individuals to avoid getting tested or discussing their condition with their partners, or even close family members or friends.
Found out I have Chlamydia. The shame is destroying me. – Anonymously confessed [3] by someone on Reddit
It’s important to remember that STIs are medical conditions, not reflections of one’s character. Open and supportive conversations with healthcare providers and loved ones can help improve these emotional challenges and promote overall well-being.
Even though a lot has changed since the 1997 report, The Hidden Epidemic [4], many things in the U.S. remain the same. Despite efforts over the years, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major health issue. Funding for STI prevention and care has stayed low, making it hard to address the growing crisis.
Experts believe that with strong commitment and action, the situation can improve. Teaching people, starting from adolescence, about sexual health and giving them the tools to make informed choices is key. With bold steps, the country can reduce STI rates and eventually work toward eliminating these infections.
STIs can affect anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Unfortunately, traditional sexual health education often ignores the specific needs of LGBTQ+ individuals [5], leaving them without crucial information about prevention and care.
It may be because of a lack of information, or the individuals may be able to talk comfortably. Inclusive sexual health education that addresses diverse experiences is essential. By providing accurate, affirming information and fostering an environment of understanding, we can ensure that everyone has the resources they need to manage and prevent STIs effectively.
Contraceptive Methods: Choosing What’s Right for You
Just like the STIs are a major part of sexual health, contraception is even more important to protect ourselves from STIs and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Ideal contraceptives are user-friendly, easily available, effective, reversible, and should not interfere with sexual desire or activity [6].
| Method Type | Examples | How It Works | Can You Have Kids Later? |
| Natural Methods | -Avoiding sex during fertile days
-Pulling out before ejaculation -Breastfeeding as birth control |
Use natural body signals or timing to avoid pregnancy | Yes (Reversible) |
| Barrier Methods | -Condoms -Diaphragms -Spermicides | Block sperm from meeting the egg | Yes (Reversible) |
| IUDs (Intrauterine Devices) | -Copper IUD
-Hormonal IUD -Non-medicated IUD |
A small device placed in the womb to stop pregnancy | Yes (Reversible) |
| Birth Control Pills | -Regular pills -Emergency pills | Use hormones to stop the release of eggs or fertilization | Yes (Reversible) |
| Hormonal Methods | -Injections
-Implants |
Release hormones slowly to stop the release of eggs | Yes (Reversible) |
| Surgical Methods | Vasectomy (for men) Tubectomy (for women) | A medical procedure that permanently blocks sperm or eggs | No (Permanent) |
Together, these methods give individuals a wide range of options to make choices about their sexual and reproductive health tailored according to their preferences.
The effectiveness of each method varies, where condoms are around 85% effective with typical use, and hormonal IUDs can exceed 99% effectiveness. The suitability of a method often depends on factors such as age, relationship status, health conditions, and future fertility plans.
Family planning helps individuals decide if and when to have children through contraception and infertility treatment, improving health, reducing maternal (mother) deaths, and empowering women and girls. As of 2023, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), 257 million [7] women still lack access to contraception due to factors like limited options, cultural barriers, and poor-quality services.
Cultural beliefs and social rules can affect how people see and use contraception. In some communities, talking about birth control is considered shameful, and people, especially those from LGBTQ+ groups, teenagers, or women in strict societies, may face judgment.
That’s why it’s important to teach and offer contraceptives in a respectful, open-minded way. Health workers and educators should create safe spaces where everyone feels respected and supported in making their own choices.
Maintaining Overall Reproductive Health
Reproductive health is an important part of your overall well-being at every stage of life. Regular check-ups like STI tests, pap smears, fertility check-ups, and breast and testicular exams for early detection and potential issues can be done, which help to catch problems early and keep you healthy.
Your mental and emotional health is also connected to your reproductive health. Social pressure to have children, dealing with infertility, or health conditions like PCOS or having endometriosis [8], or erectile dysfunction can cause stress, sadness, or anxiety. It’s important to know these feelings are normal and you’re not alone.
PCOS [9] (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)can also cause anxiety, depression, and a negative body image. Some symptoms, such as infertility, obesity, and unwanted hair growth, can lead to social stigma. This can affect other life areas such as family, relationships, work, and involvement in the community.
Whether it’s family, friends, support groups, or mental health professionals, having someone to talk to can make a big difference. Open conversations and breaking the stigma around reproductive health help people feel more in control of their well-being. With the right support, we can create a healthier, more understanding, and compassionate approach to lifelong reproductive care.
Online Dating and Sexual Behaviour
Online dating platforms have transformed modern relationships, making it easier to connect but also introducing new twists and turns. Studies show dating app users are more likely to engage in casual encounters and inconsistent condom use, increasing STI exposure. The facelessness of digital interactions can encourage risk-taking behaviors, while the abundance of potential partners may lead to impulsive decisions.
Emotionally, digital dating can be a rollercoaster. The ease of matching creates hope, but ghosting and rejection can damage self-esteem. Many users report dating fatigue from endless swiping without meaningful connections.
“I can’t detach myself from the ghosting/rejection/unmatching. It gets to the point where I’m having anxiety attacks after going on a date, or even just while swiping through people, and it just doesn’t feel worth it at all to hurt myself this much.”
A female confessed on Reddit [10]
Smart online dating means knowing what you want, taking breaks if it feels too much, and not taking rejection personally. It usually just means you’re not a good match. By being careful and understanding yourself, you can meet new people while staying safe both physically and emotionally.
A recent study [11] of 122 college students in Texas found that those who use dating apps are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors:
- 2 in 3 students used dating apps
- App users were more likely to have multiple partners and skip condoms
- Urban students used apps more often than those from small towns
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis are rising sharply in countries like Denmark, the UK, and the USA, especially among young people. Experts [12] suggest this increase may be due to dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, which make casual sex more accessible and frequent. These apps should be considered a potential risk factor in STD research and prevention strategies.
Why This Matters?
Since STIs [13] are rising among young adults, universities should:
- Expand easy-access STI testing on campus
- Provide sex-positive education on safe dating app use
- Offer free/low-cost condoms and prevention resources
Dating apps don’t have to be risky, but with the right support, students can stay safe while staying social.
Tips To Boost Sexual Desire or Libido
In case your sexual desire or libido is low or there is no desire to have sex, then this can be due to various reasons, which can be easily improved by changing a few habits.
- Foreplay
Enjoyable sexual experiences can increase a person’s interest in sex and boost their libido. Many people can improve their sexual satisfaction by focusing on activities like touching, kissing, using sex toys, and oral sex, usually called foreplay or outercourse. For women, foreplay is especially important. A 2017 study [14] found that only about 18% of women reach orgasm through penetration alone, while around 34% need clitoral stimulation to orgasm.
- Sleeping Better
Getting good sleep can boost your mood, energy, and even your sex drive. A small study [15] in 2015 found that women who slept more at night felt more interested in sex the next day. Those who got more sleep also experienced better physical arousal compared to those who slept less.
- Stress and Anxiety
Feeling anxious or stressed, whether from work, life, or worries about sex, can lower your sex drive in both men and women. It can also make it harder for men to get or keep an erection (commonly called erectile dysfunction), affecting confidence and desire. Avoiding stress plays a major role in causing sexual distress.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects up to 30% of young men [16] and can be caused by mental health issues or physical problems. Treatment often starts with medications like Viagra, which help improve erections.
- Diet
Eating healthy can boost your sex drive by improving blood flow, heart health, and hormone balance. Conditions like heart disease or PCOS can lower libido, but a diet full of veggies, lean proteins, and less sugar can help keep things running smoothly, both for your body and your sex life.
- Exercise
Exercise not only improves your overall health but also improves your sexual desire. A study [17] conducted in 2015 concluded that men going through testosterone-lowering treatment felt better about their bodies, had improved sex drive, and handled relationship changes more easily when they stayed physically active with regular exercise.
Low sex drive can be caused by many things like stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, or even lack of physical activity. The good news is that small lifestyle changes like getting enough rest, eating better, and staying active can naturally boost libido. Feeling good in your body often leads to feeling more interested in sex.”
Acceptance and Identity
Everyone deserves to feel seen and respected when it comes to sexual health. Inclusive information that reflects all gender identities and sexual orientations helps people make informed, confident choices. Though many LGBTQ+ [18] individuals face challenges like discrimination, a lack of understanding from doctors, or not finding resources that suit their needs.
This can make it harder to get the right care or feel safe asking questions.
That’s why it’s important to create a welcoming environment in healthcare and education. Many organizations now offer inclusive resources and support, making it easier for everyone to access respectful, accurate sexual health care.
Consent and Respecting Boundaries
Consent means both people clearly saying “YES” to what is happening ( sexually, emotionally, and physically)
It should never be silent, forced, or assumed. You can ask things like, “Is this okay?” or “Do you want to keep going?” or “Are you comfortable?” Checking in makes your partner feel safe and respected. And remember, anyone can change their mind at any time.
If something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s about sex, your body, or how you’re feeling emotionally, you don’t have to deal with it alone. You can talk to a counselor, call a helpline, or visit the Allo sexual health clinic. Support is out there, and asking for help is a strong and healthy step.
Disclaimer
"The following blog article provides general information and insights on various topics. However, it is important to note that the information presented is not intended as professional advice in any specific field or area. The content of this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only.
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The content should not be interpreted as endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of any product, service, or information mentioned. Readers are solely responsible for the decisions and actions they take based on the information provided in this blog. It is essential to exercise individual judgment, critical thinking, and personal responsibility when applying or implementing any information or suggestions discussed in the blog."
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