Healthy Sexuality

What is sexual wellness or healthy sexuality?

Although sexual wellness or healthy sexuality is a personal question to be examine and explored individualy, the concepts are an explict part of our mission and the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) believes it is important to offer some views for an individual consider.

Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors. SASH has adopted and supports the working definition of sexual health given by the World Health Organization:

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected, and fulfilled.[1]

Understanding our sexuality must go beyond concerns related to behaviors and the numbers of partners and practices. This requires looking at sexual health holistically and comprehensively. We are all sexual people regardless of disability, illness, orientation, gender, or culture, and we have a right to live a fully sexual and satisfying life. SASH advocates for socially responsible sexual behavior. SASH supports and understanding of sexual development and age appropriate sexual behaviors. Addressing sexual health at the individual, family, community or health system level requires a legal, policy and regulatory environment where the sexual rights of all people are upheld.[2]

Sexuality can be enjoyed alone or with others. Sexuality experienced with others should include respect, consent (without implicit or explicit coercion), safety (emotional and physical), and mutuality. As with most aspects of health the end result usually includes: feeling positive (enhanced self esteem, joy, pleasure, connection) with the absence harmful experiences (compulsion, guilt, shame, and/ or fear). When an individual’s sexual behaviors, values and attitudes are in alignment the sexual experience is usually without emotional conflict and generally gratifying, leaving the individual with a sense of well being.

[1] Report of a technical consultation on sexual health. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2005.

[2] P. Butler, (2004), Progress newsletter, V64, World Health Organization, Geneva.