Let's Talk About Sex!

December

2020

Welcome to Integrated Spectrum of Health!

This month I invite you into a conversation about sexuality. We will take a look sexual health through the lens of the triangle paradigm; Sexual Health, Sexual Rights and Sexual Pleasure. These three areas are critical to the health and wellbeing of humans. In my experience as a healthcare practitioner, sexuality educator, woman, wife, mom, and human there is a huge gap when it comes to integrating healthy, inclusive health care and conversation around sexuality topics. In this Newsletter and recent ISH Blog post, I intend to bring awareness and curiosity to this topic to support you on your path to optimal wellness.

In the spirit of a colorful, abundant and joyful life,

Lynn Joselyn PA-C, IFMCP, CFSP™ (she/her/hers)

Let's Talk About Sex!

ISH Blog on sexual health

Image from the Global Advisory Board for Sexual Health and Wellbeing

01.
Root

Sexual Health

A state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

Working Definition from The World Health Organization

02.

Flow

Sexual Pleasure

Sexual pleasure is the physical and/or psychological satisfaction and enjoyment derived from solitary or shared erotic experiences, including thoughts, dreams and autoeroticism. Self-determination, consent, safety, privacy, confidence and the ability to communicate and negotiate sexual relations are key enabling factors for pleasure to contribute to sexual health and wellbeing. Sexual pleasure should be exercised within the context of sexual rights, particularly the rights to equality and non-discrimination, autonomy and bodily integrity, the right to the highest attainable standard of health and freedom of expression. The experiences of human sexual pleasure are diverse and sexual rights ensure that pleasure is a positive experience for all concerned and not obtained by violating other people’s human rights and wellbeing

Working Definition from Global Advisory Board for Sexual Health and Wellbeing

toolkit Sexual Pleasure the forgotten link

03.
Fire

Sexual Rights

The application of existing human rights to sexuality and sexual health constitute sexual rights. Sexual rights protect all people's rights to fulfill and express their sexuality and enjoy sexual health, with due regard for the rights of others and within a framework of protection against discrimination.

Working Definition from The World Health Organization

Sam Killermann Inclusive Sexuality advocate

04.
Love

Sexuality

A central aspect of being human throughout life encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.

Working Definition from The World Health Organization

Sex as a music Jam

Sex is like pizza; a new metaphor