{"id":6096,"date":"2021-03-12T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-12T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6096"},"modified":"2021-03-11T15:09:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T15:09:42","slug":"what-is-sexual-health-and-why-is-it-so-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-sexual-health-and-why-is-it-so-important\/","title":{"rendered":"What is sexual health and why is it so important?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The term \u2018sexual health\u2019 covers a range of different topics, from STIs, to contraception and family planning, to intimacy and relationships. Looking after your sexual health is important to protect your overall long-term health and to foster positive relationships between yourself and your partner(s).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

For many people,\ngoing to a sexual health clinic can feel shameful and embarrassing. This is\noften due to the stigma associated with it, emphasising the need for a societal\nshift in attitudes towards sexual health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking care\nof your sexual health is such an important part of your relationship with\nyourself and others. As described by the World Health Organisation, \u201csexual\nhealth, when viewed affirmatively, requires a positive and respectful approach\nto sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having\npleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and\nviolence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s break\nthat down. What does it mean to take care of your sexual health?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand\nhow to set boundaries in your relationship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should\nalways feel safe in your relationship. Never be afraid to speak to your partner\nand set any boundaries which help you to feel comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Feel\nempowered to take control of your body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your body,\nyour rules! Sexual health plays an important role in physical health, mental\nhealth and how you feel about yourself, so always take care of your mind and\nbody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect your\nlong-term health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sexual\ncontact and\/or intercourse can lead to the transmission of sexually transmitted\ninfections (STIs) which, if left untreated, can lead to serious health\ncomplications. Therefore, being knowledgeable about STIs will help to protect\nyour overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make\ninformed decisions about sex <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who you\ndecide to have sex, intimacy or a relationship with is entirely your choice.\nConsider the importance of having \u2018safer\u2019 sex, using condoms, and the number of\nsexual partners you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take\nresponsibility for your own actions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since sex\nand relationships can lead to further consequences such as STIs or pregnancy, taking\nthe necessary steps to look after your sexual health, including regular STI\ntesting, is an important form of self-care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respect differing\nviews on sexual health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every\nindividual perceives sexual health in their own way. To some people, it is a\nvery sensitive issue, while others may not blink an eyelid at an STI test! Be mindful\nof these differences and always be respectful to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicate confidently\nabout your needs and desires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have open\nand honest conversations with your partner(s) about what is important to you\nand what you want from your relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better2Know\ncan help you take care of your sexual health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our highly\ntrained sexual health advisors can help you with any concerns you have about\nyour sexual health. You can contact our team in confidence by calling the 24\/7 phone\nnumber at the top of the page or sending an anonymous message using our live webchat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

[1] World\nHealth Organisation: Sexual Health<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The term \u2018sexual health\u2019 covers a range of different topics, from STIs, to contraception and family planning, to intimacy and relationships. Looking after your sexual health is important to protect your overall long-term health and to foster positive relationships between yourself and your partner(s).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[1344,841,3394,3392,727,1144,3393,661,3396,1361,2402,2583,3395,795,1494,1961,2126,637,563,752],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6096"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6096"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6100,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6096\/revisions\/6100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6096"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=6096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}