National Sexual Health Week: “big progress” in risk prevention, information tools and dialogue

Semaine nationale de la santé sexuelle : en parler et s’informer

Du 3 au 9 juin 2024 se tient la Semaine nationale dédiée à la santé sexuelle. L’objectif : parler ouvertement de la sexualité, chez les jeunes, les moins jeunes et au sein du couple.

The sexologist doctor, Damien Mascret, reminds us that today, "more than ever, the notion of communication in the couple is developing for the benefit of a more direct exchange on tastes and desires in terms of sexual practices".

What is sexual health ? There is a simple definition, according to the WHO: it is &quot ;a state of physical, emotional, mental well-being, associated with sexuality". It is therefore a global approach to sexuality, which goes well beyond health aspects and thus involves questions of respect for oneself and others, pleasure and/or procreation.

The advent of "positive sexuality", the opinion of the sexologist

"Among young people, strongly imbued with porn scripts, the discovery of different practices is now happening at an accelerated pace, points out Dr Mascret, but we should not believe that emphasizing the importance of consent has resolved the tension between ‘sex’ and ‘feelings of love’. Fortunately, young people, especially girls, now have plenty of content that develops positive sexuality, without injunctions, based on consent and benevolence."

More than ever, "the notion of communication within the couple is developing for the benefit of a more direct exchange on tastes and desires in terms of practices sexual, he analyzes. Studies show that couples who have lived together for more than ten years and who communicate a lot and easily about their sexuality between partners also have happier lives.&quot ;

Moreover, many seniors are now more demanding about the quality of their sex life, while being more indulgent with themselves. Thus, "the model of sexuality ‘performance’ moves away, assures the sexologist. The desire for experimentation (sex toys, porn, lingerie, experimentation with BDSM for Bondage-Domination/Submission-Sado-Masochism, sex with others, realization of fantasies…) is not enough< /em>." We must also identify the points of friction in the cycle of desire. Talking about it with a sexologist is always interesting.