Sexual health: Top 5 facts

Having a great sexual health means having an affirmative approach to sexual relationships and sexuality. We celebrate this World Health Day by bringing you top five facts about sexual health. Good sexual health results in your well-being. #BeHealthyBeSexy

1. Sexual health and figures
   Sexual health is impacted when your sexual and reproductive organs or mental and social well-being needs a specific action or treatment. These problems could be with having pleasurable sex, reproduction, gender and sexual identity, emotional attachment or sexual safety.
   
   Recent studies by Centers for Disease Control and Infection suggest that every year, there are more than 19 million new cases of STIs in the US. It is estimated that over one million people get STIs every day. In 2008, 110 million people in the US had STIs and 20 per cent were found among women and men aged 15 to 24 years. The total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India was estimated to be at 21 lakhs in 2015.
2. Sexual health disorders are common
   Sexual health disorders can happen to anyone; male, female or trans. They are most often a result of poor hygiene, bad lifestyle, stress, unsafe sex, sexual violence or accidents.
   
   While problems like erectile or sexual dysfunction, ejaculation disorders are fairly common with men, women also face problems like lack of orgasm, painful intercourse or infertility. STIs are also included under sexual health disorders and are caused due to risky sexual behaviour. 
   
   Read more about STIs here!
3. Sexually transmitted infections
   One of the most important ways to take care of your sexual health is to prevent yourself from STIs. STIs can be contracted through unsafe or unprotected sex, risky sexual behaviour and/or having multiple sexual partners. Some of them like pubic lice and Chlamydia are fairly common and treated easily but can have dire consequences.
   
   A report says 35 per cent of the newly infected HIV patients in India are between 15 to 24 years. Knowledge and information about safe and pleasurable sex and regular use of condoms is important. One should also be able to discuss these topics openly with their partners. In case of STIs or other disorders, communication and medical intervention can help a lot.
   
   Read our top five facts on sexually transmitted diseases here!
4. Sexual health issues are curable
   Being mindful of your health, stress and hygiene is an important step towards ensuring better sexual health.  If you have a problem, chances are that you may start seeing its symptoms soon. Comprehensive sex-education and counselling can help you in recognising these symptoms.
   
   Some of the common ones are vaginal discharge, urethral discharge or burning genital ulcers, and abdominal pain. Most of the sexual health problems are curable with safe and effective vaccine programs. However, early detection and regular treatment are mandatory.
5. Ways of preventing sexually transmitted diseases
   Besides using condoms regularly, keeping good hygiene and indulging in safe sex is always helpful. Make sure you wash sex toys or any objects you might use during sex. Getting yourself checked and ensuring your partner's sexual health is also your primary responsibility, whether you are a man, woman or trans. Don't shy away from it or ignore it. Excessive use of alcohol and drugs trigger risky sexual behaviour so better to keep a control. 

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About the author: Harish Pedaprolu is a writer and academic based out of Mumbai, India. He has been writing and editing content for the last 6 years. He has also been researching and teaching philosophy at the university level for the past 5 years. He can be reached out on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.