Sexual health is not limited to the absence of diseases. Two specialists, the gynecologist Odile Bagot and the Sexologist Gianpaolo Furgiuele, deliver their keys to understand what allows to be fulfilled in his intimate life.
A much broader definition than the absence of disorders
The World Health Organization (WHO) recalls the definition of sexual health: “Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in matters of sexuality, it is not only the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive approach and respectful of sexuality and sexual relations, as well as the possibility of having pleasant and security sexual experiences, without coercion, discrimination and violence. To reach and maintain good sexual health, human rights and sexual rights of all people must be respected, protected and made“.
Behind the expression “good sexual health”, many simply imagine the absence of diseases. However, experts insist on a much more global vision. For Gianpaolo Furgiuele, “Sexual health is a state of well-being where the body, emotions and relationships find their right place. To be in good sexual health is to be able to live your sexuality with pleasure and freedom, without constraint or fear of judgment. This also involves an environment that respects and protects everyone’s fundamental rights such as intimacy, information or equality. Sexuality is written throughout life, and it is shaped in a social, cultural and legislative context which can encourage it or on the contrary restrict it“.
The specialist also highlights the importance of the social context: “I like to recall that sexual health is also built by education, by access to care, but especially by a society that recognizes and values the diversity of sexualities, so that everyone can advance in a path of fulfillment and freedom“.
When diseases and lifestyle disrupt sexuality
If sexual health is a balance, it can be easily weakened. Odile Bagot recalls that “There is no criticism in terms of frequency or practice“However, she finds that”A decrease in sexual frequency is observed on the population, and especially in young people“, as evidenced Survey on sexuality in France by Nathalie Bajos and Michel Bozon, published in 2024.
Several factors come into play. According to the gynecologist, “Studies on mice have shown that endocrine disruptors lead to a drop in sexual excitement in males“. She adds:”There is also more testicular dysgenesis and prostate cancer for example in humans, diseases which lead to a drop in the frequency of sexual activity“.
On the feminine side, pathologies can also have a direct impact: “Dyspareunia linked to endometriosis, for example, can have consequences on sexual health, just like vaginitis or repeated cystitis, especially post-coïtal“. Finally, beyond biology, everyday life plays a decisive role:”Lifestyles evolve, and people are stressed and tired, and sometimes prefer to put themselves in front of the screen in the evening to relax rather than have an intimate relationship with their partner“.
Signs of good sexual health
But then, how to recognize fulfilled sexuality? Gianpaolo Furgiuele explains that “Sexual health is not only the absence of diseases or infections. It is a much broader vision, which encompasses well-being and pleasure“. He regrets that”Too often, sexuality is reduced to risk prevention – contraception, sexually transmitted infections, dysfunctions. However, sexual health is also the ability to experience an intimacy that nourishes, which appeases, which links“.
Pleasure is at the heart of this definition. As he recalls: “The pleasure occupies a central place: it is not secondary, it is an indicator of psychic and bodily vitality. A body that takes pleasure is a body that works, which agrees with its desire. A person who feels good in his sexuality is someone who finds a coherence between his identity, his emotions and his relationships“.
Concretely, “Being in good sexual health manifests itself in several ways. It is the absence of pain, infections or persistent disorders, but also the possibility of feeling desire, excitement and pleasure. Accept that sexuality evolves over the stages of life without it becoming a source of anxiety. Being able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ without fear, share intimacy in confidence and reciprocity, are major indicators“.
When excitement becomes problematic
Excitement is of course a sign of vitality, but it can become invasive. For Odile Bagot, “excitement becomes pathological when the impulses are excessive and that it disturbs the subject or its partner“. She also alerts:”The situation also becomes worrying when the subject feels discomfort in his daily life, like impulses that arrive at inappropriate, uncontrolled moments and despite the will of the“.
The specialist insists on the relational dimension: “The best is to see especially if it weighs on one of the two partners. The frequency of reports is specific to each couple and sexual excitement becomes a problem when one of the two partners no longer supports it. There is no general truth“. And she advises:”In this case, the best is to talk about it with a health professional“.
For its part, Gianpaolo Furgiuele recalls that sexuality is based on a general balance: “Sexual health is the result of a fragile balance, influenced by many factors. General state of health, hormones, sleep quality, certain medical treatments, but also food, sport or consumption of alcohol and drugs. We must add the psychological aspect such as self -esteem, stress management, personal history or even past trauma. Everything that affects the body is sooner or later affected on sexuality“.
The sexologist concludes: “Sexual health is never given once and for all, it is a living balance that must be cultivated throughout our lives“.