What is health literacy
Health literacy isn’t just another buzz term from the medical community or World Health Organization. Simply put, health literacy is the capacity to obtain and understand basic health information in order to make decisions about your health. Life can get busy, and sometimes doctors aren’t fun to visit. We also live in a world with a plethora of questionable information at our fingertips. It can be easy to over look our health related needs, especially when it comes to topics in the sexual health arena.
What is sexual health?
Sexual health encompasses a broad range of topics. They can range from STI’s, pregnancy concerns, painful intercourse, premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, to relationship issues. We really don’t take the time to think how much our sexuality is embroiled in with our daily life and even our identity. Regardless of the issue we might be facing in the moment, our sexual health is just as vital as our overall health.
We’ve all played doctor Google. Doctor Google isn’t always the best go to for sound advice or accurate clinical knowledge on health related topics. Having the opportunity to learn about sexual health concerns and get sound advice and a potential treatment plan is invaluable to any individual.
Where does Australia fit in?
Some cultures are more open to discuss their sexuality, concerns, and health. Others aren’t so open. Whilst Australia can appear to be progressive, open minded, and modern, are we really a country that discusses sex easily? If not, where can you go? Who can you speak to? And where do you access information to answer your questions properly? Sexual health literacy is such a broad term, its importance can boil down to questioning whether you are gaining the information you need in order to help you be the most comfortable sexual version of yourself as possible.
Help!
Seeking the help of a psychosexual therapist (sex therapist) is an excellent way to have your questions answered properly. Sexual health therapist will provide expert knowledge on topics that are sometimes uncomfortable to discuss. Expanding your sexual knowledge can only help empower your overall health.
