The Importance of Sexual Health Awareness and Empowerment

Sexual Health involves quite a bit more than checking to see whether you are free from STI’s (sexually transmitted infections).  Whilst being clean and free from Sexually Transmitted Infections is indeed a part of Sexual Health awareness, there are numerous components to it that must also be considered and addressed when you think of your sexual health.  Pearl Chemist Group has wonderful, discreet and compassionate sexual health services in Wandsworth that will address all of your sexual health concerns in a professional and caring way.

What is sexual health?
Sexual health encompasses the ability to enjoy safe, happy sexually intimate experiences without any party suffering emotional or physical harm or coercion. Good sexual health means you should feel good about your sexual experiences and not live in regret. This applies to all sexualities and genders. It also involves the practice of safe sex for the prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancy.

How do I obtain/maintain sexual health?
Positive sexual health encompasses four key elements. Knowledge, Respect, Safety, and Communication.

Knowledge:  this means learning and knowing about your body and mind, your sexuality, health, reproduction and laws that affect sex. You should also know where and when to access sexual health services, contraception and STI testing, and costs involved (if any).

Respect:  This means respecting not only others but yourself at all times.

Safety:  This includes remaining safe from unwanted emotional or sexual behaviour; STI’s and unwanted pregnancy. This includes negative emotions.

Communication:  You should be able to communicate comfortably about sexuality with other people including medical professionals, sexual health professionals, and partners. You should be able to chat with friends about what is going on with you as well as have healthy, mature, discussions about relationships that can help to guide you and your friends to have healthy expectations.

You should be able to communicate with partners when they say or do something that you do not like, they should respect this, and they should treat you with respect pertaining to this.  You should feel safe with them in doing so.  If any of these things are not true, you may not be in a healthy relationship.

Pearl Chemist Group has sexual health services in Wandsworth.  Visit us online to begin your sexual health empowerment today.  www.pearlchemistgroup.co.uk