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http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/gender/sexual_health.html
Introduction
Sexual health is influenced by a complex web
of factors ranging from sexual behaviour and attitudes
and societal factors, to biological risk and genetic
predisposition. It encompasses the problems of
HIV and STIs/RTIs, unintended pregnancy and abortion,
infertility and cancer resulting from STIs, and
sexual dysfunction. Sexual health can also be
influenced by mental health, acute and chronic
illnesses, and violence. Addressing sexual health
at the individual, family, community or health
system level requires integrated interventions
by trained health providers and a functioning
referral system. It also requires a legal, policy
and regulatory environment where the sexual rights
of all people are upheld.
Addressing sexual health also requires understanding
and appreciation of sexuality, gender roles and
power in designing and providing services. Understanding
sexuality and its impact on practices, partners,
reproduction and pleasure presents a number of
challenges as well as opportunities for improving
sexual and reproductive health care services and
interventions. Validity of data collection, given
researcher bias and difficulties in discussing
such a private issue, also remains a problem in
some settings that must be overcome if a greater
understanding of sexuality in various settings
is to be achieved. Sexuality research must go
beyond concerns related to behaviour, numbers
of partners and practices, to the underlying social,
cultural and economic factors that make individuals
vulnerable to risks and affect the ways in which
sex is sought, desired and/or refused by women,
men and young people. Investigating sexuality
in this way entails going beyond reproductive
health by looking at sexual health holistically
and comprehensively. To do this requires adding
to the knowledge base gained from the field of
STI/HIV prevention and care, gender studies, and
family planning, among others.
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Sexual health represents a new thematic area
of work for the Department of Reproductive Health
and Research. While sexual health has been implicitly
understood to be part of the reproductive health
agenda, the emergence of HIV/AIDS, of sexual and
gender-based violence and of the extent of sexual
dysfunction (to name just some of the developments
over the past two decades), have highlighted the
need for the Department to now focus more explicitly
on sexuality and the promotion of sexual health.
Working definitions
Sex
Sex refers to the biological characteristics which
define humans as female or male.
[These sets of biological characteristics are
not mutually exclusive as there are individuals
who possess both, but these characteristics tend
to differentiate humans as males and females.
In general use in many languages, the term sex
is often used to mean "sexual activity",
but for technical purposes in the context of sexuality
and sexual health discussions, the above definition
is preferred.]
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Sexuality
Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout
life and encompasses sex, gender identities and
roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure,
intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced
and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires,
beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices,
roles and relationships. While sexuality can include
all of these dimensions, not all of them are always
experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced
by the interaction of biological, psychological,
social, economic, political, cultural, ethical,
legal, historical and religious and spiritual
factors.
Sexual health
Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional,
mental and social well-being related 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 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 respected,
protected and fulfilled.
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Sexual rights
Sexual rights embrace human rights that are already
recognized in national laws, international human
rights documents and other consensus documents.
These include the right of all persons, free of
coercion, discrimination and violence, to:
* the highest attainable standard of health
in relation to sexuality, including access to
sexual and reproductive health care services;
* seek, receive and impart information in relation
to sexuality;
* sexuality education;
* respect for bodily integrity;
* choice of partner;
* decide to be sexually active or not;
* consensual sexual relations;
* consensual marriage;
* decide whether or not, and when to have children;
and
* pursue a satisfying, safe and pleasurable sexual
life.
The responsible exercise of human rights requires
that all persons respect the rights of others.
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