Why Is Sexual Health Important? (2024)

Why Is Sexual Health Important? (2024)

Dr. Jana Lim of ATA Medical Singapore.
Authored By: Dr. Jana Lim.
Last updated: 22 Aug 2024.
Why is sexual health important?

Sexual health is a vital part of overall health and well-being, influencing many aspects of life, including physical health, emotional stability and social relationships. It goes beyond just the absence of disease, encompassing a respectful approach to sexuality and relationships, the ability to have safe and consensual sexual experiences, and access to accurate information and quality healthcare. This comprehensive approach enables individuals to lead healthy, fulfilling lives while contributing to a healthier society.

Top 5 sexually transmitted infections STI in Singapore (2018).
Source: National Skin Centre

In 2018, over 7,000 cases of the top five sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were reported in Singapore. Given the prevalence of STIs, maintaining sexual health is essential to mitigate the physical, social, mental, emotional, and economic impacts – especially since some STIs can have lifelong consequences.

Why Maintain Sexual Health?

Maintaining sexual health is essential for several reasons, impacting both individual well-being and broader public health.

Safeguarding Physical Health

Regular check-ups, safe sexual practices, and awareness of reproductive health are key to preventing STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and herpes. Additionally, maintaining sexual health supports informed family planning and contributes to safe pregnancies, which are vital for overall reproductive health.

Promoting Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Sexual health can contribute to mental and emotional well-being. By managing sexual health responsibly, individuals can boost their self-esteem and confidence, reducing anxiety and stress related to sexual health concerns. A healthy sexual life contributes to a more balanced and positive emotional state, enhancing overall quality of life.

Maintaining sexual health can safeguard physical health.

Building Healthy Relationships

Healthy sexual practices foster respectful and consensual interactions within relationships. Effective communication, mutual respect, and trust are the foundations of healthy sexual relationships, leading to stronger and more fulfilling connections between partners.

Contributing to Public Health

On a societal level, maintaining sexual health helps prevent the spread of STIs, reducing the overall burden on the healthcare system. By promoting safe sexual practices and regular testing, individuals contribute to the health and safety of society.

Empowering Informed Decision-Making

Access to accurate information and resources is important for making informed decisions about sexual health. Understanding the risks, benefits, and responsibilities associated with sexual behaviour empowers individuals to engage in safe and responsible practices, ensuring both their health and the health of their partners.

Maintaining sexual health to build healthy relationships.

How to Maintain Sexual Health?

Maintaining sexual health is an ongoing process that involves making informed decisions, practising safe behaviours, and seeking regular medical care. Here are some key steps to help maintain sexual health:

Practice Safe Sex

  • Use Protection: Consistent and correct use of condoms or other barrier methods can effectively prevent STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
  • Get Vaccinated: Vaccinations like the Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B vaccines protect against infections that can lead to serious health issues.
  • Limit Number of Sexual Partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners and practising mutual monogamy lowers the risk of STIs.
Practice safe sex such as using contraception to maintain sexual health.

Regular Testing and Health Check-Ups

Regular STIs screening help to maintain sexual health.

Stay Informed and Educated

  • Sexual Health Education: Learning about STIs and their risks, available contraception and their correct usage, and safe sex practices, empowers individuals to make informed choices about sex.
  • Awareness of Sexual Rights: Know and understand your rights to consent, protection from harm, and access to sexual health services.

Promote Healthy Communication in Relationships

  • Open Dialogue With Partners: Honest communication about sexual history, STI testing, and boundaries are essential for building trust and ensuring safety in a relationship.
  • Discussing Consent: Understanding and respecting consent are fundamentals in any sexual relationship, ensuring that all activities are consensual for a positive and healthy experience.
Young asian couple having open dialogue about sexual health.

Summary

Sexual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being, impacting physical, mental, and social health. By practising safe sex, staying informed, and regularly undergoing health and STI screenings, you can protect yourself and others, fostering healthy relationships and contributing to a healthier society. If you haven’t already, schedule an appointment to speak to a doctor about your sexual health today.

Why Choose ATA Medical?

ATA Medical - One Stop Health Screening Clinic with X Ray, CT Scan, Mammogram and Ultrasound scans.
ATA Medical - One Stop Health Screening Clinic with X Ray, CT Scan, Mammogram and Ultrasound scans.
ATA Medical Orchard Clinic with Health Screening Nurses and Staff
Orchard Clinic
ATA Medical Tanjong Pagar Clinic with Health Screening Nurses and Staff
Tanjong Pagar Clinic
Patient having a health screening review with Dr Jana Lim of ATA Medical
Health Screening Review with Dr Jana Lim
Female patient undergoing ultrasound scan procedure at ATA Medical Clinic.
Mammograms & Ultrasound Scans with Female Staff
Female patient getting ready to undergo X-Ray procedure with a male staff assisting with the preparations.
One-Stop Clinic with X-Ray Facilities
Dr Leonard Leng of ATA Medical having a consultation session with a male patient.
Consultation About Men or Female Health With a Doctor of Your Choice

Our Esteemed Clientele Include

Esteemed clientele of ATA Medical include: Google, Smart Nation Singapore, SkillsFuture Singapore, J.P. Morgan, Samsung Electronics, and NTUC Income.

What to Expect

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Want to do health screening in the comforts of your home with your family or partner? Try our home-based health screening.

Email us at hi@atamed.sg for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Maintaining sexual health is important for preventing STIs, supporting reproductive health, and fostering healthy, respectful relationships, all of which contribute to overall well-being.
Your sexual health matters because it impacts your physical health, emotional well-being, and the quality of your relationships. It also plays a significant role in disease prevention and reproductive planning.
Advantages of sexual health include reduced risk of STIs, improved mental and emotional well-being, enhanced relationship satisfaction, and informed decisions about reproduction.
Protecting the health of sexual organs is essential for preventing infections, ensuring reproductive capabilities, and maintaining overall physical health and comfort.
Sexual hygiene is necessary to prevent infections, ensure comfort, and promote a healthy and respectful approach to sexuality.
Sexual needs are important as they contribute to overall well-being, emotional satisfaction, and the health of intimate relationships.
Sexual health is important for men as it affects their physical health, mental well-being, reproductive function, and quality of life.
Sexual health is crucial for women as it affects their physical health, emotional well-being, reproductive health, and overall quality of life. It plays a key role in preventing diseases, ensuring safe and informed reproductive choices, and fostering healthy relationships.
Unhealthy sexual health includes the presence of STIs, lack of consensual and respectful relationships, poor hygiene, and unaddressed sexual dysfunctions, which can lead to negative physical and emotional outcomes.
Five components of sexual health can include: (1) Physical health, (2) Emotional well-being, (3) Respectful and consensual relationships, (4) Informed reproductive choices, and (5) Access to sexual health care.
The value of sexual health lies in its role in preventing diseases, supporting mental and emotional health, ensuring reproductive well-being, and fostering healthy, consensual relationships.
Maintain sexual health by practising safe sex, undergoing regular STI screenings, maintaining sexual hygiene, communicating openly with partners, and staying informed about sexual health issues.
Sexual reproductive health is important for planning pregnancies, preventing STIs, and ensuring the overall health and well-being of individuals, couples, and families.
Sexual self is important as it involves understanding and respecting your own sexual needs, boundaries, and identity, which contributes to a healthy self-image and fulfilling relationships.