A Vital Component of Sexual Health
Sexual health is not just about avoiding illness and pregnancy; it’s also about well-being and pleasure. Sexual satisfaction is a strong indicator of sexual health, relationship satisfaction, overall health and its impact on quality of life [i][ii][iii][iv]. It’s a subjective experience that involves emotional and physical fulfillment from sexual activity[v].
Pleasure and Self-Exploration
Stigma, shame, guilt, and low self-esteem can negatively impact sexual function and satisfaction [vi]. Working to understand and reduce these feelings can have a positive effect on your sexual well-being. Working with a therapist and taking time to explore and normalize your own desires can be helpful.
One tool for sexual pleasure and exploration can be masturbation, which is a normal, healthy sexual behavior that can play a role in self-discovery [vii]. It allows you to learn about your own body and what you find pleasurable. Research suggests that understanding your own sexual responses through masturbation can be a helpful tool for dealing with sexual difficulties and can improve communication with a partner [viii][ix].
Sexual Pain/Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction, or difficulty experiencing satisfaction from sex, can affect people of any gender. Issues like painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction, or low sexual desire can be distressing and impact one’s quality of life and physical health. It can be scary to seek help, but taking care of your sexual wellbeing is taking care of your health.
For example, those experiencing vaginismus (pain with penetration of the vagina) will have difficulty with penetrative sex and gynecological exams. Addressing this treatable condition can allow for better sexual satisfaction and the ability to tolerate examinations[x].
Tips for Improving Sexual Satisfaction:
- Communicate: Open and honest conversations with sexual partners are crucial. This includes discussing STI status, agreeing on pregnancy and STI prevention, and talking about desires and boundaries. This ensures that all encounters are consensual and enjoyable.
- Prioritize your health: Get tested with each new sexual partner and take pregnancy and STI preventative measures.
- Embrace pleasure and self-knowledge: Understanding your own body and what brings you satisfaction is a vital part of a healthy sexual life.
- Seek reliable information: Turn to healthcare providers and reputable organizations for your sexual health education.
Finding Reliable Information
Information students receive from sexual education curriculum can be incomplete or inaccurate, particularly in abstinence-only programs [xi]. Many people, especially young adults, turn to the internet for information about sexual health due to its privacy and accessibility, but online sources can vary greatly in quality and accuracy[xii].
To avoid misinformation, seek reputable sources, like:
- SHAW: Student Health and Wellness Center
- Planned Parenthood: Sexual and reproductive health care and education.
- Your primary care provider or specialist: Offer personalized medical advice.
- Other reputable sources include Scarleteen, Guttmacher Institute, American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)
Being well informed about your body and sexual health isn’t just about avoiding negative outcomes; a higher level of health literacy is associated with higher levels of sexual function[xiii]. By being informed and proactive, you can navigate your sexuality in college in a way that is safe, healthy, and empowering.
Asymina (She/Her)
Peer Health Educator
[i] Flynn KE, Lin L, Bruner DW, Cyranowski JM, Hahn EA, Jeffery DD, Reese JB, Reeve BB, Shelby RA, Weinfurt KP. Sexual Satisfaction and the Importance of Sexual Health to Quality of Life Throughout the Life Course of U.S. Adults. J Sex Med. 2016 Nov;13(11):1642-1650. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.08.011. Epub 2016 Sep 23. PMID: 27671968; PMCID: PMC5075511.
[ii] Sabanciogullari, S., Tuncay, F.O. & Avci, D. The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Perceived Health and Sexuality in Individuals Diagnosed with a Physical Illness. Sex Disabil 34, 389–402 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-016-9456-6
[iii] Byers, E. S. (2005). Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long-term relationships. The Journal of Sex Research, https://www.jstor.org/stable/3813147?seq=1
[iv] Rider, J. R., Wilson, K. M., Sinnott, J. A., Kelly, R. S., Mucci, L. A., & Giovannucci, E. L. (2016). Ejaculation frequency and risk of prostate cancer: Updated results with an additional decade of follow-up. European Urology, 70(6), 974–982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2016.03.027
[v] Pascoal, P. M., Narciso, I. de S. B., & Pereira, N. M. (2014). What is Sexual Satisfaction? Thematic Analysis of Lay People’s Definitions. The Journal of Sex Research, 51(1), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2013.815149
[vi] Yahagh, M., Abdolpour, G., Lashkari, A., & Gharezyaadin, M. R. (2024). Sexual functioning in women based on sexual shame and sexual dysfunctional beliefs.Journal of Research in Psychopathology, 5(16), 53–59. https://doi.org/10.22098/jrp.2024.12360.1165
[vii] Ford JV, Corona-Vargas E, Cruz M, et al. The World Association for Sexual Health’s Declaration on Sexual Pleasure: A technical guide. Int J Sex Health. 2021;33(4):612-642. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.2023718
[viii] Laan E, Rellini AH, Barnes T. Standard operating procedures for female orgasmic disorder: Consensus of the International Society for Sexual Medicine. J Sex Med. 2013;10(1):74-82. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02880.x
[ix] Laan, E., & Rellini, A. H. (2011). Can we treat anorgasmia in women? The challenge to experiencing pleasure. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 26(4), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2011.649691
[x] Konkan, R., Bayrak, M., Güçlü Gönüllü, O., Şenormançı, Ö., & Sungur, M. Z. (2012). Sexual function and satisfaction of women with vaginismus. Düşünen Adam: Psikiyatri ve Nörolojik Bilimler Dergisi, https://doi.org/10.5350/DAJPN2012250402
[xi] Guttmacher Institute. (2016, March 14). Sex and HIV education. https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/sex-and-hiv-education
[xii] Boies, S. C. (2002). University students’ uses of and reactions to online sexual information and entertainment: links to online and offline sexual behaviour. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 11(2), 77+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A100110158/HRCA?u=milwaukee&sid=googleScholar&xid=6c36a4e7
[xiii] Sahebalzamani,M. , Mostaedi,Z. , Farahani,H. and Sokhanvar,M. (2018). Relationship between Health Literacy and Sexual Function and Sexual Satisfaction in Infertile Couples Referred to The Royan Institute. International Journal of Fertility and Sterility, 12(2), 136-141. doi: 10.22074/ijfs.2018.5185