[Free Download] What Your Beliefs About Sex and Sexual Health Have in Common
As a certified sex therapist, Kimberly Keiser is actively involved in helping people understand and take control of their sexual health. She works with clients to encourage knowledge about their sexual health and fosters their growth and development by implementing that knowledge and understanding into their lives with themselves or their partners.
What do you think about when you think of sexual health?
You may be focused on what goes wrong with sex, but what does sexual health actually look like? Many MendEd clients have never approached the problem with a vision or come with ideas about what sexual health is.
In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined 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. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.”
In other words, sexual health involves many things, like reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections, but also includes relational health, intimacy, and pleasure.
While history shows little evidence of universal sexual trends, it also shows that religion has been a major influence on sexual values and behavior. Dominant metaphors for human sexuality also include:
Medicine
Commercialization (e.g. pornography)
Romance
Certain beliefs can make intimacy and connection more difficult and cause feelings of discomfort, shame, and distress. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing or have experienced before, it might be time to reflect on those beliefs and consider their source.
With this free Sexual Beliefs Guide, you’ll have an opportunity to reflect on what your sexual beliefs are, where you learned your beliefs about sex, if you still hold firm to these beliefs, or if you’re starting to question them and the thoughts you have about sex.