Sex and Health - Taking Control of your health

Human beings are unique among animals in having the capacity for sexual desire even when the female is not fertile and in retaining desire into old age, long after conception has ceased to be possible. The explanation may be that sex helps maintain partnerships. Regular sex also seems to improve cardiovascular fitness and prolong life. People who are involved in stable sexual relationships live longer than those without sexual partners.

A satisfying sexual relationship is an important part of life but not always easy to achieve, and sexual contact may be risky. In particular, casual sex and sex with multiple partners carry the risks of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The first article in the section covers the basic elements of a healthy sexual relationship. The article on safe sex discusses ways of reducing your risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. The final article provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of contraception. Education about sex, pregnancy, and STDs is particularly important for teenagers, who often fail to make use of contraceptives and ignore advice about safe sex. In the US, this has resulted in one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the world.

Specific sexual problems and the symptoms and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases are discussed in other sections of the book (see Sexual problems and Sexually transmitted diseases), as are possible problems in conceiving (see Infertility).

Enjoying intimacy When two partners are establishing an intimate, sexual relationship, it is important for them to trust each other.

Sexual relationships

The physical and emotional elements of satisfying sexual relationships.

The physical maturity necessary for a sexual relationship is signaled by the onset of puberty, when the individual's body makes the transition from childhood to adulthood. The development of emotional maturity frequently takes much longer, and early sexual encounters, although sometimes exciting, may just as often be disappointing or cause anxiety. With age and experience, most people become better able to establish and fully enjoy sexual relationships.

A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

What constitutes a healthy sexual relationship varies widely from person to person. Sexual fulfillment depends on a blend of physical and psychological factors, and what is right for one couple may not suit another. You and your partner should both be happy with the frequency of sexual activity, and you should be able to discuss which sexual activities you find pleasant and which you find unappealing.

Anyone in a sexual relationship should be aware of the risks posed by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and understand how to minimize the risk of exposure to them (see Safe sex). To avoid an unwanted pregnancy, you should be familiar with the options for contraception, including emergency contraception. It is important that children approaching puberty are given education about STDs, safe sex, and contraception. Most schools provide sex-education programs.