| In common parlance sexual health would mean, | | | | world body is a step in the right direction and |
| anything or everything to do with sexual activity, | | | | needs to be an ongoing process. Sexual health is a |
| a simple explanation for the term would be sexual | | | | state of physical, emotional, mental and social |
| intercourse. What in medical term is "coitus", | | | | well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely |
| meaning coming together. For a common man it is | | | | the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. |
| sex with the penis in the vagina. Intercourse is a | | | | Sexual health requires a positive and respectful |
| natural phenomenon, it's not a science which | | | | approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as |
| needs to be learned, it is within us. From millions | | | | well as the possibility of having pleasurable and |
| of years man has been doing it instinctively. | | | | safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, |
| The feeling of sexual contact is something which | | | | discrimination and violence. |
| has always been curtailed; sexual contact has | | | | Sexual health is influenced by a complex web of |
| always been considered naughty, secret, | | | | factors ranging from sexual behavior and |
| dangerous, forbidden or even criminal. The root | | | | attitudes and societal factors, to biological risk and |
| cause of thinking such a pious natural urge as a | | | | genetic predisposition. It encompasses the |
| forbidden act is our nature. From time immemorial | | | | problems of HIV and STIs/RTIs, unintended |
| the human species has thought of sex as a | | | | pregnancy and abortion, infertility and cancer |
| means of reproduction. Pleasure was a luxury, and | | | | resulting from STIs, and Sexual Dysfunction. |
| communication between the sexes was minimal. | | | | Sexual health can also be influenced by mental |
| Sexual health does not imply penetrative sex | | | | health, acute and chronic illnesses, and violence. |
| alone. In recent times sexual health is a new | | | | Addressing sexual health at the individual, family, |
| focus for WHO (World Health Organization). It has | | | | community or health system level requires |
| convened international technical consultation on | | | | integrated interventions by trained health |
| sexual health. Its importance accorded by the | | | | providers and a functioning referral system. |