Running The Risk :: Men and Sexual Health

Men & Sexual Health

What is sexual health?

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.

World Health Organisation (WHO – 2004)

There’s a lot that goes in to making you a happy, well-balanced person!

Amongst other things you need somewhere to live, food and drink, enough money, friends … and good health.

One aspect of good health is a satisfying sex life, but there are so many things that can get in the way of fulfilling sex.

Why is sexual health important?

Good sexual health means that you’ll be MORE likely to:

feel better about yourself – your feelings of ‘well-being’
develop a more intimate relationship with your partner
enjoy sex more.

You’ll also be at LESS risk of:

getting an STI (sexually transmitted infection – not a fast car..)
impotence (being unable to get it up)
premature ejaculation (coming too soon).

It might also HELP you to :

keep fit
live longer
look younger
boost your hormones.

Did you know:

56% of men are dissatisfied with their sex life?
83% think what goes on under the sheets could be improved

Sexuality

There’s no doubt about it, there’s a wide range of sexual preferences in human males. For years scientists have tried to work out whether it’s something we’re born with or whether it’s to do with what we experience as we grow up. Most likely it’s a bit of both.

There’s a range of male sexuality and preferences:

Sexuality: Heterosexuals > AKA: Straight > Attracted to: Females
Sexuality: Bisexuals > AKA: Bi > Attracted to: Males & Females
Sexuality: Homosexuals > AKA: Gay > Attracted to: Males

Everyone fits somewhere along this line. Everyone should feel comfortable with their sexuality – it’s an important part of sexual health. It’s up to individuals to decide what is right for them and live their life in a way accordingly. Particularly in the past some gay men may have lived the outward life of a heterosexual male, even having a wife and children.

Sometimes men may know they’re gay but feel they can’t ‘come out’ and tell family, friends or work mates for various reasons. They may feel guilt or shame and may fear rejection, prejudice, discrimination or even violence. Laws are now in place to minimise the chance of this happening but even still ‘coming out’ can be difficult.

Many organisations exist to help. See links section.

Responsibility

All sexually active people have a responsibility to themselves and their partners. There are huge pressures, particularly on young people to have sex:

"It shows we’re committed to each other…"
"I don’t feel ready yet…"
"He says he loves me but I feel pressured…"
"Everyone else does it…"
"What about STIs?"
"We need to think about contraception first…"
"We’re grown up enough…"
"He’ll dump me if I don't…"

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