Sexual health is like any other kind of health. It is a type of health and at times it does require attention. It can impact our physical as well as our mental health when it isn’t taken care of. Sexual health is as important as any other type of health. This may depend on where you are in the world or your upbringing. There may be some stigma when thinking about or addressing sexual health. Shame, fear, confusion and embarrassment may affect how you view it. It is usually easier to talk about the flu or a cold with family or friends, but sex has all kinds of things tied to it that make those discussions more difficult.

It doesn’t matter what your background is, we at Broadway family Clinic are well versed in dealing with sexual health. We can help you to feel more comfortable when dealing with issues that may be embarrassing.

The 5 Ps of sexual health are:

1- Partners, who you are with now and who you have been with in the past, three months, six months twelve months or longer. Who do you have sex with? Men, women or both? Has anyone you have been with been with anyone else in the last twelve months? This is information that is important.

2- Past History of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Have you had an STD/STI in the past? Have your partners had an STD/STI in the past? Have any of your partner’s used intravenous drugs?

3- Pregnancy prevention – what are you doing to prevent pregnancy?

4- Practices show how you understand or feel about STDs. They indicate if you participate in risky behaviors. What kind of sex do you engage in and if you use condoms or other kinds of protection?

5- Protection is the final P; it’s the effort you make to prevent diseases in yourself and others.

Sexual health is multi-faceted. It includes emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions. The doctor will often focus on the physical and emotional or psychological components. The benefits extend beyond just these. Good sexual health leads to healthy relationships that are both sexual and nonsexual. Good sexual health gives better self-esteem and self-worth. Sexual health helps us understand the consequences that are possible in our activities. Good sexual health can show us that sex is very powerful and that it can be a part of our life in healthy and positive ways.

Sexual health allows us to take responsibility for our bodies. If one is active sexually, knowing that condoms prevent unplanned pregnancy or STDs can make it more enjoyable. It also makes life happier and fuller.

Sexual health is important for many reasons. The most obvious reasons relate to the transmission of diseases and preventing unplanned pregnancies. Sexual health and reproductive health are at the core of our identity and central to our well-being. Good sexual health means that you are informed, careful and that you respect yourself and others.

Sexual health is also important in that when we are comfortable with who we are sexually, we relate well with others. It makes it easier to respect the boundaries of others, sexually, as we can create those boundaries for ourselves. It improves our relationships with those with whom we have a sexual relationship with and those whom we do not. It truly is an important part of our life as a whole. We serve patients from Pearland TX, Shadow Creek Ranch TX, Southern Trail TX, Pomona TX, Southlake TX, Sienna Plantation TX, Fresno TX, Manvel TX and Rosharon TX.