What is Sexual Health?

A definition from the World Health Organisation:

"A state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; 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 safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be protected, respected and fulfilled".

Some things that help towards good sexual health:

• feeling good about yourself
• having the sex you want when you want it - providing it's consensual, mutual and equal
• not being forced or manipulated into sex you don't want
• not forcing or manipulating others into sex they don't want
• feeling comfortable about your sexual orientation, whether heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual
• knowing how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections
• knowing that you have the right to not be sexual at any point in your life
• knowing that you have the right to say 'yes' to the sex you want, 'no' to the sex you don't want and the right to change your mind