Breaking the Silence: How to Discuss Sexual Health Concerns with Your Partner
“The World Health Organization defines 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 safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.”
43% of women and 31% of men have one or other kind of sexual dysfunction, an individual could be facing more than 1 sexual problem at a time. Sexual problems are under-detected and under-treated. Barriers to detection, diagnosis and treatment are attitudes and behavior for both healthcare professionals and patients.
“In country of Kamasutra, sex is still a taboo which makes people reluctant to talk about problems in the intimate relationship. Recent, movies like OMG -2 and Doctor G portray the plight of our society for alarming need to focus on sexual health. Fear, shame, embarrassment, being judged and/or ridiculed could be some barriers. Lack of sex education in general, lack of openness to sexual discussion makes one uncomfortable to discuss and seek treatment. Healthcare providers do not have solid knowledge on sexual health leaving them underequipped to address sexual health concerns. Health care providers need to step up creating a safe, nonjudgmental and sex positive space so patients can talk about their sexual challenges,” says Dr Anita Shyam, MD, and CMO, Qurex.
During regular clinical practice opening a sexual health conversation may encourage patients to share a pressing concern. Some ice breaking questions can be- “How is your sex life? Who you like to talk about your sex/intimate relationship? If you are facing any challenge in your sexual life, I am willing to listen and can try to help you?”
“Easy and successful evaluation and intervention models like PLISSIT (Permission, Limited information, Specific suggestion) offers a compendious way to bring sexual health conversation and quick intervention strategies in clinical practice. Use of self-administered sexual functioning scales/questionnaires can be printed and given to patient to fill out during their wait time at the clinic, this takes pressure off practitioner and patient if sexual conversation is not a comfortable domain,” adds Shyam.
A health care provider can become a vessel for their patients to pour any challenges affecting their lives. A few questions about sex health and few minutes extra during consultation can help build a strong doctor patient bond. “We at Qurex (India’s first Digital Sexual health platform) take pride in our professional and scientific handling of sexual health creating a safe and sex positive space,” signs off Shyam.