Mental/ Emotional Sexual Health
The American Sexual Health Association lists some markers of a sexually healthy being, which include understanding that sex is a natural part of life, recognizing and respecting everyone’s decision to or not to engage in sex, and being able to seek sexual information and health care. In addition to being free from diseases, sexual health entails all these factors [1]. When people are not mentally or emotionally sexually healthy, it can lead to negative outcomes such as increases violence against others [2] (see Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence) and increases in teenage pregnancy, which in turn increases the chances of poverty for teen mothers and their children [3].
ASHA recommends many ways to promote mental and emotional sexual health. One way, recommended by the Coalition for Positive Sexuality, is to recognize that sex is not violent and the human body is not dirty [4] (See Body Image). In addition, it is not right to shame someone for their sexuality. This promotes discrimination and violence [5]. ASHA also recommends promoting access to sexual information. A lack of sexual information, especially coupled with abstinence-only sexual education, has been linked to high levels of STDs and teen pregnancy [6]. Part of promoting mental and emotional sexual health is to do so also on a private level with one’s sexual partner(s). This means feeling safe and respected, as well as communicating and listening [7]. By promoting respect and communication in regards to sex on a personal level, this also promotes benefits to society in regards to sex for all genders and people of different sexualities.
However, there are difficulties in achieving the goal of having access to sexual information and health care that ASHA promotes, especially for those who are LGBTQIA. Due to discrimination or the fact that LGBTQIA is a minority community, doctors and healthcare providers may not be trained or sensitive towards addressing the health needs of this community [8]. Other times, members of the LGBTQIA community fear discrimination and opt not to receive medical treatments or exams as often as they should. For an example, the National Center for Transgender Equality reports that 1 out of 3 transgender individuals delay or avoid reproductive/sexual health care such as pelvic exams or STD testing due to fear of discrimination [9]. To combat these issues, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have compiled a report and recommended improvements such as increasing research to gain more understanding of LGBTQIA health, standardizing measures to make data reviewing easier and to form guidelines for acceptable and sensitive behavior in the medical/research field towards LGBTQIAs, and to provide research training in order to promote awareness about these health issues [10].
Citations:
[1], [2], [7] "Understanding Sexual Health - American Sexual Health Association."American Sexual Health Association. American Sexual Health Association, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[3] About Teen Pregnancy." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 May 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[4], [5] "Just Say Yes." Just Say Yes. Coalition for Positive Sexuality, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[6] What Research Says About Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs" SIECUS. Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, Oct. 2009. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[8], [10]“The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. “ National Institutes of Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US)
[9] TRANSGENDER SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: UNMET NEEDS AND BARRIERS TO CARE (n.d.): n. pag. National Center for Transgender Equality, Apr. 2012. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
To find more resources in UC Davis visit:
UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center: Support Groups
UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services: Contraception
UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services: Counseling
UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services: Sexual Health
To find more resources online visit:
American Sexual Health Association