Sex education and health: essential advice for your relationships

Sex education: a task still to be completed 

Good sexual health and education involve leading a healthy and fulfilling sex life. It may seem straightforward, but many people fail to enjoy a fulfilling sex life for various reasons, such as a lack of self-awareness, an inability to express their own desires, certain physical problems, or not knowing how to use contraception safely. 

For this reason, it is very important that we learn to enjoy our sexual relationships, by breaking free from any habits that are harmful to our intimate lives. If you want to know the ‘basics’ for achieving full sexual health and education, read on! 

How can I achieve good sexual health? 

As we’ve mentioned, a healthy sex life should be fulfilling and safe, so we need to look after ourselves both physically and psychologically. But where do we start? 

• Take a look at your inner dialogue. Do you speak kindly to yourself? What do you really need? The way we speak to and listen to ourselves is crucial. When we love ourselves and speak from a place of affection and self-respect, we can enjoy our intimate encounters, whilst also knowing how to set boundaries when something doesn’t feel right.
• In this regard, pay attention to any red flags your sexual partner might display. No one should be attacked or labelled with degrading words simply for enjoying themselves freely in bed. You deserve to be respected and treated with appropriate sexual behaviour during your sexual encounters… and outside them too!
• Take your time. Arousal is a physiological and psychological response that takes time. That’s why foreplay is essential, both to prepare the body and to enjoy sexual activity or moments of personal pleasure, as well as to deepen sexual attraction. We usually say that we reach the peak of physical sexual arousal through lubrication. Why not add a little something extra, such as Ginesens intimate lubricant gel? Thanks to its warming effect, it will raise the temperature and enhance stimulation and arousal. 
• Some women experience difficulties with lubrication during sex with their partner due to stress, hormonal changes that occur during the menopause or pregnancy, or the use of certain medicines… If this applies to you, Mucus intimate lubricant gel is ideal for making sexual intercourse easier, as it mimics a woman’s natural vaginal fluid. After use, you’ll feel your intimate area is more moisturised and lubricated, which will enhance your sexual pleasure; what’s more, it’s compatible with condoms and doesn’t stain!
• Touch yourself regularly. Many people put masturbation and ‘self-pleasure’ on the back burner when they’re in a relationship. Don’t do this, as it has countless benefits for your mind and body. Certain chemicals released during self-pleasure, such as serotonin and dopamine, promote happiness and wellbeing and help you sleep better. 
• If you know yourself, you’ll also be able to guide and teach your partner, as well as fostering innovation, sexual intimacy and ‘experimentation’. Why not incorporate sex toys into your routine? 
• Get to know your genitals. When was the last time you looked at your vulva in a mirror? Looking at our genitals with self-love will also help us let go of our inhibitions and prevent prejudices from influencing our sexual encounters. Your vulva is magnificent just as it is! 
• Practise good hygiene. Urinate before and after each sexual encounter and wash your sex toys frequently to avoid potential infections such as cystitis. You should also clean your external genital area with suitable SYNDET products. We recommend our daily hygiene products: Pediatrics Intimate Hygiene for the youngest members of the family, Daily Intimate Hygiene for women of childbearing age, and Deligyn Intimate Hygiene for the menopause. Furthermore, if you have specific needs such as severe dryness, we recommend Lubripiù Intimate Hygiene; if you’re prone to recurrent infections, we recommend Prebiotic Mousse Intimate Hygiene; and if you have an infection or discomfort, use CLX Intimate Hygiene. And remember… you should never wash the vagina! 
• Protect yourself. The best way to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is to use suitable contraception, particularly if you have multiple sexual partners. We have several options, such as male condoms, female condoms made of polyurethane or nitrile, and latex dental dams, designed for oral sex. As well as protecting against STIs, they prevent unwanted pregnancies. 
• Let’s not forget regular medical check-ups. You can get tested for STIs at your trusted health centre or even at some community health centres. 

As you’ve seen, several factors come into play when it comes to enjoying a pleasurable and safe sex life. So, from now on, you can put what you’ve learnt into practice. Remember to consult your gynaecologist if you have any medical concerns. 

Bibliography

Red Cross (2021). Sexual health as a form of wellbeing. https://www2.cruzroja.es/-/la-salud-sexual-como-bienestar

Helloclue (2022). ‘Getting wet’: discharge, cervical mucus and sexual lubrication. https://helloclue.com/es/articulos/ciclo-a-z/mojarse-secrecion-flujo-cervical-y-lubricacion-sexual

Women’s Health (2023). 11 benefits of female masturbation to practise every day. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/es/sexo-relaciones-pareja/a2001320/masturbarse-beneficios-mujeres/

Clinic Barcelona (2021). Eight tips to improve and look after your sexual health. https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/noticias/ocho-consejos-para-mejorar-y-cuidar-tu-salud-sexual

Cumlaude lab (2022). SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AFFECT FERTILITY. https://www.cumlaudelab.com/fertilidad/ets-afectan-a-la-fertilidad/