Women's Sexual Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as "the physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality, not merely the absence of disease, disability and dysfunction. Sexual health requires a positive, respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, and the opportunity to have fun and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be achieved and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected and protected. "This channel focuses on understanding sexual health issues of particular interest to women. It also examines issues related to communication in sexual relationships, and more.

Women's Sexual Health Topics:
desire: Sexual desire is much more complex than it may appear on the surface. When desire is present, and when it is congruent with a person’s behaviors and values, it is usually accepted without too much thought. When something is amiss, however, things can become complicated. Low sexual desire can have physical causes (such as chronic illness or medication interaction) or psychological causes (such as stress, guilt, or poor body image). Physical desire issues can lead to psychological concerns, and vice versa.
pleasure: Pleasure adds meaning to our lives, regardless of the source of that pleasure. Sexual pleasure is particularly powerful. Our bodies respond to sexual pleasure in ways that can be exhilarating, exciting, earth-shattering, and even healing. Shared sexual pleasure can create or enhance intimacy with partners. Creativity in sexual expression, such as trying sex toys or different sexual positions, can keep relationships sexually exciting and diverse. Sexual pleasure achieved through self-stimulation can improve body image, enhance self-appreciation, and increase understanding about the types of sexual touch one’s body prefers. This information can then be shared with a partner.

orgasm: Orgasm is the powerful, pleasurable release of sexual arousal and tension. Generally speaking, women will experience different muscle contractions throughout the pelvic and genital region, as well as in other parts of the body. Their heart rate and breathing will increase. Some women will experience a single orgasm, and some will have more than one during a particular sex act. Yet while physical orgasmic response can be generalized in these ways, the actual experience of orgasm can vary dramatically from person to person. Some people describe orgasms as euphoric or spiritual. Others enjoy feeling almost out of control during orgasm, while others dislike the feelings of vulnerability the experience can induce.

Medications and Supplements: Both prescribed and 'over-the-counter' medications are used widely in the US for ailments ranging from colds to back pain to post-surgical pain. These medications, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, can be a blessing as well as a curse. Although effective at reducing pain or treating other symptoms, as many as 400 medications are known to cause at least occasional problems with sexual desire and function. It is important to be aware of this and to ask questions about sexual side effects before taking any kind of medication.

Gynecological Concerns Introduction:This channel deals with the vulva and vagina, and maintaining the health of both. The vulva is the external part of the female genitalia, or what can be seen with the naked eye when looking at a woman’s genitals. This area includes the mons, labia minora and majora (the small and large “lips”), the clitoris (whose only function is sexual pleasure), and the opening to the vagina. The vagina is a “potential space” inside the body into which a finger, tampon, penis, or any other object can be inserted, and through which menstrual blood flows and babies are delivered. Gynecological health is of utmost important to a woman’s overall health and well-being. To that end, it is recommended that women see a gynecologist once a year for a pap test, breast exam, and a discussion of any symptoms that involve her reproductive and sexual sms.

Pain During Intercourse: Many women report occasional pain or discomfort with vaginal penetration (of a finger, tampon, penis, etc.). Others experience severe pain with every episode of penetration. This is called “dyspareunia”. There are different kinds of pain that a woman can experience during sex play or intercourse. Some of these symptoms can be relieved easily with the use of lubricants, while others must be treated medically. This channel focuses on normalizing the experience of pain during certain sexual behaviors, with the accompanying reinforcement that there are definitely steps a woman can take to eliminate the pain. Above all, if any kind of intercourse or penetration is painful, a woman should stop this behavior immediately and seek treatment, so she can avoid potential physical or emotional harm.

Menopause:This channel deals with the issues relating to Menopause, which is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop and her reproductive capacity comes to an end. This usually happens during late middle age but it can occur earlier. This channel also deals with Hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus, and also sometimes the Fallopian tubes and ovaries.
# Menstruation and Breast Health: Two significant health concerns for women are their monthly menstrual cycle, and the health of their breasts. Menstruation, the monthly hormonal cycle involving the build-up and discharge of the uterine lining, is an important indicator of reproductive and general health. Issues women face pertaining to menstruation are irregular periods, absent periods (called “amenorrhea”), and painful periods (“dysmenorrhea”). When it comes to breast health, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Yet many women still do not perform monthly breast self exams.

Infertility: Approximately 15% of heterosexual couples attempting their first pregnancy are unable to conceive. Most authorities will say that there is a fertility “issue” – something that requires some kind of intervention – if a couple has not become pregnant after one year of unprotected vaginal intercourse. It is important in the evaluation of infertility to consider the couple as a unit, rather than placing the “blame” or responsibility on one partner. Infertility can come as a result of factors inside the female body, inside the male body, or inside both.

Pregnancy and Child Birth: Pregnancy and childbirth issues go beyond fertility and reproduction concerns. A pregnant woman’s sexual desire level can peak and ebb throughout the pregnancy, as well as after childbirth. Partners and spouses can be confused by these changes, and may experience a change in their libido as well. Other post-natal issues, including physical recovery from vaginal delivery or C-section, the impact of breast feeding (e.g. vaginal dryness due to reduced estrogen levels), post-partum depression, negotiating sexual relationships, and communicating (especially under the stress of sleep deprivation) are vital factors in determining how to maintain a loving, vital relationship post-childbirth.

Masturbation: Masturbation refers to touching one’s own genitals for sexual pleasure. It is a normal, healthy behavior that most people do at some point in their lives (male and female) – although some never do. It is normal if a person does, and it is normal if a person chooses not to masturbate. Masturbation, even frequent masturbation cannot harm a person physically or psychologically, unless it replaced normal, daily functioning (for example, if someone were to stop going to work just to stay home and masturbate). Masturbation can teach people how their bodies respond to sexual stimulation -- and they can share this information with a partner to enhance their sexual relationships.

Body Image: Most sexuality experts will agree that to be sexually healthy, it is important for both body and mind to be "in synch". When they are not, one or both areas can suffer. Many factors can influence how and whether a woman experiences mind/body synchronization. A common one has to do with a woman’s comfort with her body – or body image. Body image has to do with how one feels about anything physical, from their weight, skin or hair color, height, and the changes that come with aging, to the appearance of their genitals, to how their body may appear as a result of a physical disability or illness, and much more. One thing is for sure – the better a woman feels about her body, the more satisfying her sexual expressions and relationships will be.

Contraception: Contraceptive methods are what couples use to prevent a pregnancy. Some of these methods, like the male and female condoms, also provide very effective protection against most sexually transmitted infections. When the goal is to avoid a pregnancy, couples need to talk together about what method is best for both partners. Issues include access to the method, the cost of the method and whether it is covered by insurance, how it is used, and whether it involves introducing a chemical into the body rather than placing some kind of a barrier between the partners. The vast majority of birth control methods in the world today are designed for the female body to use. At the same time, however, male partners need to be active parts of discussions and decisions about contraception – and to be willing to use condoms for safer sex and pregnancy prevention.