
Sex education and sexual health
Sex education and sexual health.
Talking about sex education is still considered taboo. However, it is important for everyone to know about sexual health. Sex education teaches a person about responsibilities, sexual activity, the right age, fertility, birth control, sex abstinence, etc.
Nowadays, people are getting awareness about sexual health through schools and public events. If we talk about the old times, then at that time these things were not given much attention. (Sex education and sexual health) Also, nobody liked to talk about it before marriage. If anyone wanted to talk about it, he was considered wrong by society.
There was a lot of controversy regarding sex education. But today everyone has become responsible for their health, so keep yourself aware. Women and men in villages and cities are being educated about sexual health so as to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and infections like HIV-AIDS.
Children and adolescents should receive sex education to prevent the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and any unwanted pregnancy. In this article, we are going to elaborate on sex education and sexual health.
What is sexual health?
- Sexual health is a state of mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being related to one’s sexuality. It does not simply indicate the absence of a disease or disorder.
- Good sexual health requires a responsible and positive approach to one’s sexuality as well as one’s sexual relationships and having safe and enjoyable sexual experiences without violence or discrimination.
- This can be further explained under the following sub-headings.
women’s sexual health:
- Women need to be educated about their sexual health, and they should also be aware of their sexual organs.
- Vagina – The vagina is the inner part of the female genitalia. It is attached to the uterus and sexual intercourse takes place here. Menstruation and childbirth take place in this place.
- Breast – The breast is the main part of a woman’s chest. It consists of fatty tissue and the nipple. Women’s breasts develop during adolescence and lactate after childbirth. Compared to a woman, a man’s chest is less developed.
- Uterus – The uterus is located in the lower abdomen of a woman. It has the shape of a pear and the size of a closed fist. It is attached to the end of the vagina and the fallopian tubes. Embryo development takes place at this place. Apart from this, the menstrual lining is formed in the uterus and blood flows every month during menstruation.
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- Clitoris – It is an external part of the female reproductive system. The clitoris is shaped like the lips and is present on the genitals which helps lubricate the vagina.
- Hymen – The hymen is like a membrane inside the vagina of a woman. This membrane shrinks the vaginal passage of women. Many times this membrane breaks due to sex in women.
- Ovaries – Ovaries are a part of the female reproductive system that is responsible for the formation of eggs. When this egg gets fertilized by a sperm (from the male body during intercourse) it results in pregnancy.
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Men’s Sexual Health:
Information related to sexual organs and diseases in men is as follows.
- Penis – The reproductive organ of a man is called the penis. This organ is made of soft tissues. When this tissue is excited, it gets filled with blood. Urine, fluid, and semen all come out of the penis.
- Stimulation in the male genitals – Due to stimulation in the male genitals, the penis becomes enlarged and filled with blood.
- Ejaculation – The process of release of semen after sexual activity is known as ejaculation.
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- Circumcision – The foreskin of the male penis is completely removed. It is a practice done for many years due to some religious beliefs. This procedure reduces the chances of urinary tract infection.
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- Semen – It is a white-colored fluid that comes out from the male genitalia. It contains sperm and fluid. This substance comes out of the prostate gland of a man. This substance comes out when the male is excited. According to some scientists, the average sperm count in a male ejaculate is 15 to 200 million per ml.
- Testicles – Testicles are a major part of the male genitalia. The testicles are present under the penis, one on each side of the penis. It is also called the scrotum, which produces male hormones. The testicles are connected by several small veins. The testicles produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.
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- Testicular cancer – Cancer of the testicles is called testicular cancer. This cancer is seen in men after the age of 40 but it is a rare condition.
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How to prevent sexually transmitted diseases in women?
Some of the commonly given tips by gynecologists to prevent sexual diseases are as follows.
- Breast examination – In case of any pain or discomfort in the breast, the gynecologist will get your breasts examined to prevent the risk of breast cancer.
- Pap smear test – This test is recommended to detect uterine or cervical cancer.
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- General hygiene – A doctor should be consulted before washing the vagina and anus with any foreign products to avoid the risk of infection.
- Mammogram – To diagnose breast cancer, the doctor performs a mammogram.
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How to prevent sexual diseases in men
Some of the commonly given tips by the doctor to prevent sexual diseases in men include:
- Use of condoms – Men should practice safe sex by using condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
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- General Hygiene – The genital area should be kept clean to prevent the possibility of infection.
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Sex education in schools
- Sex education is usually taught in schools to children in grades 7 to 12.
- Many laws have been made on how sex education should be given. In most areas of India, schools seek parental consent regarding their child’s participation in sex education classes. Most families understand the importance of sex education in children and support the idea of conducting sex education programs in schools.
- Sex education programs in schools should include the following aspects:
Sex education should be taught by well-trained teachers and staff. The school can also call sex counselors to conduct sex education classes. - The topic of sex education should be discussed in an age-appropriate and engaging manner for children.
- The program should include a question-answer session to address all sex-related queries of the students.
- The program should include details about people with different sexual orientations such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
- Students should be provided with contact details and links to connect with healthcare providers and health services providing guidance on sexual health and activity.
- The program should include factual details about the reproductive organs and general sexual health.
- The program should cover topics such as fertility, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS, contraception, pregnancy, abortion, and adoption.
- The primary focus of sex education in schools is to make the child aware of sexual health issues such as teen pregnancy and STDs.
- It is important to conduct such programs in collaboration with parents, teachers, and counselors.
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What are the benefits of providing sexual health education to students?
- In-school sexual health education programs benefit students in the following ways.
- Such programs help delay the age of first intercourse.
- Sex education helps students gain knowledge about the disadvantages of unprotected sex and encourages safe sexual encounters.
- A person is more likely to have fewer sexual partners after being part of a sex education program.
- Such programs encourage the use of protection during sexual activity, such as the use of condoms.
- Ultimately, sexual health programs help address many questions in the inquisitive minds of young students, and may even improve their overall growth and academic development.
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What is the role of the family in sex education?
- It is very important for the child to get the right information about sexual health at an early age. There are some significant benefits of receiving sex education at home.
- The right kind of sex education at home will encourage the child to clear all his queries through his friends, random people, or through the internet rather than collecting wrong information from outside.
- It is a misconception that sex education for parents can harm children. On the contrary, an open discussion about it will only strengthen the bond between parent and child.
- Every child has a certain level of curiosity about their sexuality and sexual encounters. Providing the right information about it at an early age at home will help prevent unwanted pregnancies and the risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV, AIDS, herpes, etc. in the future.
Parents can use age-appropriate and child-friendly language to help a child understand the reproductive system and sexual health in general.
It is advised to all parents to educate their children about sex at an early age at home, which is the first step towards child education.
Disclaimer :
We hope that through this article we have been able to answer your questions about sexual health and sex education.
If you would like to know more about sexual health and sex education, contact a gynecologist.
Our sole aim is to provide you with information through this article and we do not recommend any medicine, treatment, or home remedy. Only a qualified doctor can give you the right advice and treatment plan.
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