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Chapter 51 - Life-Course Approach to Sexual Health

from Section 3B - Sexual Healthcare along the Life Course

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2024

By
Johannes Bitzer
Edited by
Johannes Bitzer  and
Tahir A. Mahmood
Johannes Bitzer
Affiliation:
University Women's Hospital, Basel
Tahir A. Mahmood
Affiliation:
Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
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Summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health in a comprehensive way [1, 2]. It is a central aspect of being human throughout life that 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, behaviours, 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.

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Textbook of Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health , pp. 333 - 339
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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