sexual health check in

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as “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.” Positivity and respect are required for healthy sexual encounters, meaning that the sexual experiences should be free of violence and/or coercion. 

Sexual health is key to your overall health, and especially to the emotional aspects of your health. If we’re going to have sex, we should do so in a way that supports a healthy sex life! Not solely the physical aspect of preventing & treating sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), but also in the emotional wellness aspect.  A pre-sex check in can help us understand what we hope to gain from the sexual connection, and if it’s a good time to engage in sex. Here are some questions to reflect on when practicing emotional wellness in conjunction with sexual health is to check in with yourself prior to sexual connection:

• “What am I feeling?”

• “What am I willing to share with this person(s)?”

• “What is my safe word?”

• “Do I want to have a sexual experience with this person(s)?”