As a means to honour the awareness month of sexual health, we need to acquire deeper knowledge on matters such as these, as they directly affect us in our daily lives.
We have always heard and known about mental well-being and the overall wellness of our bodies and minds, but when it comes to sexual well-being, there’s often not enough said or if talks are being talked about it, they often include misconceptions.
Psychology Today mentions that sexual well-being does not necessarily involve intercourse, “Modern definitions of sexual well-being consider a person’s full range of physical and emotional sexual needs. It describes not just sexual satisfaction but other components that similarly predict mental health and self-esteem, such as sexual identity, trauma, self-forgiveness, and shame.”
The above sure further mentions that sexual well-being should be prioritised regardless of sexual orientation, regardless of whether you’re single, married, kinky, in an open or polyamorous relationship, straight, cis, or trans.
In agreement with the publication above, the Lancet Public Health explains that a model with seven core domains was developed to operationalise sexual well-being, including sexual safety and security, sexual respect, sexual self-esteem, resilience concerning past sexual experiences, forgiveness of past sexual events, self-determination in one’s sex life, and comfort with one’s sexuality.
“The concept should apply to people irrespective of their partnership status (including those who are unpartnered); the concept should be based on elements amenable to change through policy, public health action, clinical support, or personal growth; and the concept should focus both on a person’s summation of experience and assessment of prospects for sexual wellbeing in the near future.”
Additionally, the Lancet details that sexual well-being adds new dimensions to community engagement in health issues, addresses local health determinants, and links local and larger public health policies and practices related to sexual and reproductive health.
“Positioning sexual wellbeing as a driver for cross-cutting public health innovation challenges the structural origins of sexual inequities and requires acknowledging that sexual wellbeing is experienced by people in relation to contexts and surroundings. This suggests that surveillance of sexual well-being, at individual and community levels, is required, and thus challenges the centrality of privacy in sexuality.”
Blue Heart suggests that to cultivate sexual well-being, you need to communicate your sexual needs, desires, and desires with your partner, create intentional time for sensual engagement, seek sexual literacy resources, identify your preferences, and seek sex therapy for dysfunction or relationship issues. It is further said that sexual mindfulness, or the ability to avoid judgment during sexual encounters, is uniquely associated with sexual well-being.
Also see: Health benefits of morning sex
