Let's talk about sex

We don't usually think of sexual health as being part of our overall physical and mental health, but it is. The truth is that sexuality is a central part of what makes us human. Our sexuality is related to our joy and satisfaction in life, self-esteem, intimacy with others, sense of self, and more. There are a variety of sexual problems that can affect people's quality of life, sometimes quite significantly. These include low desire or desire discrepancy in couples, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory difficulties, sexual pain in both men and women, sexual dysfunction due to medical issues or aging, anxiety/fear/aversion to sex or intimacy, sex addiction, sexual trauma, gender identity or sexual orientation concerns. According to the World Health Organization (website: who.int), sexual health is: "… 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." Thus, the WHO recognizes that healthy sexuality is not just about keeping the parts working. A good example to illustrate this point is erectile dysfunction (ED). Medications for ED can get the physical process working, but medication does not fix any relationship problems that may have contributed to the ED or resulted from it. Medication might not fix the performance anxiety or the blow to self-esteem. To focus exclusively on ED as "failure to perform" is to lose sight of the most important function of sex, which is to increase intimacy and express love to one's beloved. People often find it embarrassing to talk about sexual problems, even with their trusted family physician. I hope that more and more people will recognize that their sexual health is worth addressing, not just from the physical standpoint, but from the mental health standpoint as well. Dr. Mary Goebel-Komala is a clinical psychologist who has been doing general practice for 18 years and is now qualified to treat sexual issues. She sees people in person at 500 N. Main St. inFindlay. She is currently supervised by Ashley Grinonneau-Denton of the Ohio Center for Relationship and Sexual Health. Call for a free consultation: 419-889-7807.