Healthy Sexual Relationship

A consensual connection in which both partners feel emotionally and physically fulfilled, respected, and happy with one other is a healthy sexual relationship. Human sexuality is moulded by intricate relationships between mood, neurophysical and physiological pathways, and cognitive processes. The ability to have enjoyable and safe sexual encounters free from “compulsion, prejudice, and violence” is necessary for sexual health.

The centre of the sexual cosmos is the brain. The brain receives sexual pictures, thoughts, and ideas through the five senses (touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste). These impulses are received by the brain, which then converts them into messages that the body can comprehend. Among these messages are ones to release vasoactive chemicals, estrogen, and testosterone, as well as ones that increase blood flow.

A “healthy sexual relationship” may be impacted by the following factors:

Comparison -

Don’t compare your partner with anyone else. Since every individual is different, relationships also have distinct dynamics and common experiences. Comparisons can lead to unneeded stress and discontent.

Communication -

Overcoming shyness or embarrassment when discussing personal matters is crucial since it can lead to a more satisfying and harmonious relationship. To truly understand one another and forge a solid bond, you must be frank about all facets of your lives, including your desires, worries, and emotions.

Respect -

A vital element of any successful and happy relationship is respect. Building a solid relationship requires you to respect your partner’s desires, limits, beliefs, and feelings. When both partners feel listened and valued, it contributes to a satisfaction in all aspects of the relationship.

Consent -

Consent can be withheld at any time and should be enthusiastic, mutual, and informed. Continually attention to your partner that both of you are comfortable and willing during the entire sexual encounter constitutes the process of consent.

Move Forward -

Rather than focusing on the past and bringing up the past all the time, a good relationship frequently entails a willingness to forgive and move forward. This means approaching important topics “in a constructive manner” (i.e., in a different manner with different words) rather than avoiding or ignoring them.

Trust -

Being open and truthful about your feelings, ideas, and desires establishes a secure space that promotes a closer bond. A foundation of trust and emotional safety is established when you treat your spouse with compassion, care, and empathy. It’s critical to recognise that trust grows over time rather than happening instantly.

Novelty -

Couples should continue to be willing to venture into unknown areas and try out a variety of methods and pursuits. But during these investigations, it’s critical to put partner comfort and consent first.

Avoid Abusing -

Steer clear of situations in which one person takes advantage of or manipulates another for “personal gain” or “ego satisfaction”. Emotional or verbal abuse includes things like neglect, withholding affection, and inflicting pain through words.

Anger Control -

Although everyone gets angry occasionally, it’s important to understand that how anger is communicated has a big influence on relationships. Healthy strategies include taking deep breaths, counting to ten, and taking breaks during intense discussions — to communicate feelings without aggression as arguments are inevitable.

Intimacy -

Beyond the emotional and sexual, other dimensions of intimacy include intellectual (exchanging ideas and thinking), recreational (having shared activities), financial (involving joint financial preparation), spiritual (involving shared faiths/beliefs), and creative (expressing oneself through joint projects like residence renovation).

How to have a Healthy Sexual Relationship ? -

Discuss the changes you are going through honestly with your spouse, if you have one, and make an effort not to place the blame on either of you. Speaking with a therapist—alone or with a partner—may also be beneficial. Certain therapists have received specialised training in treating sexually disturbed clients. For instance, a healthcare provider may recommend using over-the-counter moisturisers or lubricants if you are having pain from a dry vagina.

Chronic Stress -

“Stress can change a person’s emotional and mental states, making it difficult for them to concentrate on sexual cues while engaging in sexual activity” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.54.2.140” with the topic heading “Causes of sexual dysfunction: …”.

“Compared to women in the average stress group, women in the high stress group reported being more distracted during the sexy film, had greater levels of cortisol, and had lower levels of genital arousal but not psychological arousal” — is covered in the study “doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12249” under the subject “Chronic stress and sexual function …”.

Intoxication Risks -

“For many smokers, quitting can be beneficial in improving their erectile dysfunction symptoms” — covered under the header “Do cigarette smokers …”, in the research publication “doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410x.2004.05162.x”.

“In healthy, non-smoking women, acute nicotine consumption drastically reduces physiological sexual desire” — as addressed in the research article “doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00778.x” under the title “The inhibitory effects of nicotine …”.

“Drinking alcohol causes sexual dysfunction, primarily erectile dysfunction in males and decreased vaginal lubrication in women, especially in alcohol-dependent patients” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2001.10400569” with the topic heading “Alcohol, drugs and sexual function: a review”.

Cognitive Ability -

“When it comes to their cognitive abilities, older men and women who regularly engage in sexual activity perform better than those who either never engage in it or only do so sometimes” — as addressed in the research paper “doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbx065” under the title “Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts …”.

Physical Activity -

“The likelihood of developing erectile dysfunction was found to be negatively correlated with physical activity and favourably correlated with fat and smoking” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5347(06)00589-1” with the topic heading “A prospective study of risk factors …”.

“The symptoms of premature ejaculation (PE) tended to become more severe when physical activity frequency decreased” — is covered in the study “doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.08.007” under the subject “Lifestyle Factors and Premature Ejaculation: …”.

Work on Obesity -

“Obese people frequently experience sexual issues, which they ascribe to their weight. It is possible that a large number of obese people who feel that their sexual quality of life has decreased and/or that they have a negative body image should talk to their medical professionals about these concerns” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.62” with the topic heading “Obesity and sexual quality of life”.

“Recent research indicates that obese and overweight women have inferior sexual function than healthy women when it comes to female sexual health” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901548” with the topic heading “Association of body weight …”.

Cardiovascular -

“Having high-quality partnered sex appears to improve cardiovascular health in women, particularly by lowering the risk of hypertension” — covered under the heading “Is Sex Good for Your Health? …”, in the research publication “doi.org/10.1177/0022146516661597”.

Contraceptive Decision-Making -

People must be allowed to select the form of contraception that best fits their needs, taking into account their lifestyle, personal preferences, and health concerns. People must feel liberated to make judgements that are consistent with their personal values and well-being. In order to guarantee that decisions are made cooperatively and fully aware of any possible repercussions, open communication with partners, experts and healthcare providers can be extremely important.

“Hormonal contraceptives may alter women’s neuroendocrine patterns, which could impact their sexuality. Tested hormonal contraceptives appear to improve certain aspects of sexual function in both the users and their partners. Specifically, an advantageous effect on sexual life was noted in 44% of oral contraceptive users, as opposed to 11, 28, and 36% of users of other forms of contraception, including intrauterine devices, natural methods, and condoms” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh686” with the topic heading “Effects of two types of hormonal contraception …”.

Healthy Sexual Relationship in Marriage -

“Sexual and marital satisfaction were substantially correlated. Thus, there was a corresponding rise in marital satisfaction along with the increase in sexual satisfaction. The number of children and educational attainment were found to be moderators of the relationship between sexual satisfaction and marital happiness” — as discussed at “Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences” under the research paper “The Relationship between Marital and Sexual Satisfaction …”.

“The satisfaction of a good sexual relationship between couples is one of the most important aspects of marital satisfaction. Changes in a woman’s physiology, hormonal changes, and emotional adaptations during pregnancy might affect sexual experiences and, in turn, the joy of a marriage. According to a 2017 study, pregnant women’s marital satisfaction may rise with the help of sexual counselling during their pregnancy” — as discussed at “Electronic Physician (ephysician.ir)” under the research paper “Effect of Sexual Counseling on …”.

“Male and female sexual engagement during the 50s and 60s is associated with better physical and mental health. Men are more likely than women to value sex in their lives, especially as they get older. The decrease in women’s perceived value of sex may be attributed to the loss of a romantic partner as well as the influence of pronatalist and ageist views” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2011.603168” with the topic heading “Sexual Expression in Later Life: …”.

“Women’s late sexual initiation, traditional sexual views, low regard for sexuality, lack of sexual assertiveness, and lack of use of flexible sexual tactics all contribute, at least in part, to their sexual discontent” — as discussed under the research article “doi.org/10.1023/A%3A1024591318836” with the topic heading “Correlates of Increased Sexual Satisfaction”.

That’s all friends.