What is optimal sexual health?
Sexual health is a state of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health is a positive, honest, and respectful approach to sexuality. The healthiest sexual activity is intentional, mutually agreeable, and mutually pleasurable in the context of a respectful, lifelong, mutually monogamous relationship. The healthiest sexual activity occurs between adults who are mature physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. They are financially self-sufficient and prepared to handle the results of sexual activity. Healthy sexual activity is characterized by freedom from coercion, exploitation, transactions, oppression, discrimination, violence, the influence of mind altering substances, and transmission of disease. Persons of all ages can aspire to optimal sexual health. Therefore, mentors and individuals in the helping professions should facilita
