We’re a month into 2024, friends. How are we holding up?
When we last spoke (er, you last read and I last wrote), we were talking about all things 2024 and setting ourselves up for a monumental year of self-love, hot hook-ups, and safer sex, among other things.
Now’s check-in time, particularly as we look at the interaction of sexy times and healthy habits.
Here at Sexual + Being, DC’s self-appointed patron saints of sexual safety, we want to remind your noggins of the benefits of your sexual health, especially in the long term, for your mind, body, spirits, and pleasure. Join us as we count (some of) the ways.
What is sexual health?
Before we dive in, we need to level set and discuss exactly what we mean here. Let’s get into it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) 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.”
Reader, are you getting this? Sexual health is about so much more than your STI or pregnancy status. It’s about a state of overall being related to how you are engaging in and operating with sex in your lives.
The WHO goes on to elaborate that sexual health also requires “a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships” and freedom from sexual violence, abuse, and discrimination. This definition and the language of a few paragraphs before frame how we are considering our discussion here on sexual health.
Talking about sexual health
Sexual health — much like overall health — is not some karmic litmus test that weeds out the “good” and “bad” people. Your sexual health says nothing about who you are, your character, your promiscuousness, or the like.
Let me say it one more time and even more clearly: There should be no value judgment based on someone’s sexual health status, full stop. That should never change.
Despite what the myriad of hook-up app users call “clean” (reader, never say you are “clean” about your sex health … it’s obnoxious and demeaning!), it’s important to frame your sexual health as what it is plainly and operate moving forward as such.
Maintaining your sexual health
As important as it is to understand what sexual health is and how to talk about it, nothing is more crucial than a collective understanding of how we can all properly maintain our sexual health.
At its best, sexual health maintenance should be habitual. It should not take an “hey, I have an STI” text from a sex partner to make sure you are getting tested; those should be a regular part of how we operate if sexually active. While overall test frequency can vary, it’s safe to say that if you’re having a great deal of sex with multiple partners then you should go every few months.
Beyond testing, safer sex practices at the moment are critical. Yes, that means using condoms or dental dams whenever possible as well as understanding and using contraceptives or other medication-related prevention methods (i.e., PrEP or PEP). Those practices can make all the difference in preventing infection.
That said, STIs happen even to the safest folks. That’s okay! Health is not about perfection; it’s infusing intention with action and taking care of ourselves at all stages.
Long-term benefits of sexual health
Now that we’re all on the same page, we can dive into understanding how beneficial taking care of your sexual health can be in the long term. Let us count the ways!
Improving overall health and peace of mind
As hopefully goes without saying, sexual health is an invaluable part of your overall bodily and mental health. They are intrinsically tied to each other as parts of ourselves.
If you’re at all a person living at the intersection of intense anxiety and health obsession (*writer slowly raises hand*), this benefit will likely appeal to you directly. If you can build health habits related to sex, you are also more secure mentally in the bedroom … and likely more present during your playtime.
Never doubt the sex appeal of peace of mind!
Allowing for better, safer, and more consistent sex
I mean … this one is a bit on the nose but, honestly, is it not the reason we’re all gathered here today? Sexually healthy folks have more, better, and safer sex in the long term.
Why? Well, they’re often STI pre-checked so they can participate safely in as many sex acts as they can get into knowing their status. Knowing yourself and your sexual health standing can quickly lead to admission into many consenting partners’ pants, too. It also shows others that you care about your health and how it could impact them/others.
Plus, folks who maintain their sexual health are also just hotter. That’s science!
Preventing community spread
Who are we without our community? Nothing, that’s what! For sexual situations, that is especially true.
Without our neighbors, we’re left just masturbating without crowd participation. Hey, no judgment if that’s how you get off … but I’d venture to say that many among us want to get down and dirty with a partner or two (or seven, your and their choice!).
For those who do the deed with others, maintaining a habitual testing schedule can be beneficial not only to yourself but to those with whom you get naked. STIs, many of which are very treatable, can spread quickly if the infected person continues sexual activity with others — whether they are symptomatic or not AND whether or not they know they are a carrier.
The slogan writes itself: Give back to your community today by getting tested!
There you have it, sexy people. Make 2024 a year devoted to your sexual health. For more resources, visit sexualbeing.org.
Ryan Carey-Mahoney
Ryan Carey-Mahoney is a writer and LGBTQ advocate based in Washington, D.C. A journalist at heart, he's worked in digital strategy for over five years and has yet to turn down an opportunity to proofread. Talk to him on social media (@thegoodcarmah) about bi+ visibility, politics, and Beyoncé.
