September is Sexual Health Month, and we’d like to start by defining what sexually healthy actually means. Sexual health is physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality and sexual acts. Sexual health requires respectful and positive approaches to sexuality, sexual relationships, and sexual experiences. To have sexual health, the rights of a person MUST be respected – meaning there is no coercion, discrimination, and violence, and everybody involved is safe.
Sexual health is not a one-and-done thing; it is built over a lifetime. As you develop into a sexually healthy person, you will begin to notice these characteristics:
Communication – being able to communicate and being receptive to desires, boundaries, consent, and non-verbal cues, interacting and communicating with all genders appropriately and respectfully.
Relationships – have relationships with no sexual agenda and take responsibility for personal boundaries; choose trustworthy, safe partners, where you can be intimate without being physical.
Self-Esteem/Self-Worth – appreciate and stay connected with your body; allow vulnerability; become comfortable with sexual orientation and gender identity; confidence is establishing boundaries; become aware of negative sexual experiences, their impact, and how culture influences sexual decisions.
Education – recognize the consequences of sexual activities; recognize the impact of cultural messages on sex and sexuality; understand positive sex can be integrated into life in healthy ways; respect boundaries and the right for people to enjoy non-exploitive, consensual sex.
Values – establish personal boundaries; respect others’ boundaries; are unthreatened by differing sexual orientations; show respect for all individuals who are different from them (particularly in terms of culture, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, religion, race, and gender).
Body Autonomy – practice safe sex; promote healthy behaviors such as regular STI testing, check-ups, and self-examinations.
Achieving sexual health is about the journey, not the destination. It involves learning about yourself and becoming attuned to your body’s wants and needs. If you have questions or need assistance on your sexual health journey, that’s okay! Greenville Women’s Care is happy to help you however we can. To schedule an appointment with a provider, call 252-757-3131.