Sexual Health Week, which is this week, has been run annually by the FPA since 1997. This year’s theme is pleasure and wellbeing.

So often we forget that most sex takes place for reasons of pleasure, intimacy and desire rather than reproduction. As well as being pleasurable, an active sex life is a good form of exercise, reduces stress, aids relaxation and sleep, is a good pain reliever and keeps the prostate gland and genitals healthy.
In this context sex doesn’t just mean what goes on between two (or more) consenting adults, but includes masturbation. Oh come on! We all do it. And masturbation can make you happier, healthier and more fertile. The chemicals released by masturbation include dopamine, which triggers the pleasure centres of the brain and reduces stress; endorphins which reduce pain (including menstrual pain); and prolactin, which aids sleep. Apparently males especially (why especially males, I don’t know) benefit from masturbation when they are under the weather, as it increases the production of bacteria-fighting white blood cells. In addition it can help prevent prostate cancer by flushing out the carcinogenic toxins in the prostate.
As sex educator Emily Nagoski says, pleasure is the best measure of sexual wellbeing. And as Emily would no doubt also point out, you only get the real pleasure if you approach sex with confidence and joy.
However the one thing we really must do to achieve this sexual wellbeing (indeed general wellbeing) is to talk much more openly about sex, our bodies and indeed everything medical. We need much better body awareness and to normalise sex and nudity rather than criminalising them. And I believe that has to include the decriminalisation of prostitution and removing the stigmas around STIs.
But this is only going to get easier if we start talking much more, and much more openly, about sex. And that means all of us: parents with children; friends with friends; partners with each other; everyone with their doctor.
The more we talk about what sex is really like, ensure consent and promote informed choices, the less harmful the extreme images, videos and information can be. Good communication really does enhance sexual wellbeing, and it is important that people have the confidence to speak openly and clearly to health professionals about their sexual health.
So if there is one thing I want everyone to start doing during this year’s Sexual Health Week — well I want you to start any time; the sooner the better — it is to talk about sex: with friends, parents, your children, your doctor, your brothers & sisters … anyone and everyone.
The more we talk, the easier it will get. And the more we talk the better our wellbeing.