Sexual health education should be holistic and inclusive of people living with sexual dysfunction.
In the United States, May is now recognized as “Sex Ed for All Month.” The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) advocates for providing young people the information they need to make decisions regarding their own sexual health. Research demonstrates that young people are more likely to feel prepared to make positive sexual health decisions and engage in healthy and happy relationships when they are provided comprehensive sexual health education.
However, not all “sex ed” is created equal, and an alarming number of young people never receive comprehensive sexual health education prior to graduating high school. This article serves as a guide for educators to offer sexual health education that is inclusive of sexual dysfunction. Read ahead for more information regarding the relationship between sexual dysfunction and a happy, healthy sex life.
Criticisms of Sex Ed: More than Just Condoms
Comprehensive sexual health education refers to education that is medically accurate, evidence-based, and appropriate based on age, culture, and development. This “gold standard” of sex ed should also provide complete information on a variety of topics, including development, sexual decision-making, and prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Research continues to demonstrate comprehensive sexual health education to be effective at improving health outcomes and sexual decision-making in young people.
The vast majority of school districts in the United States do not require comprehensive sexual health education, even forgoing the requirement that education be medically accurate. For example, only 17 states in the United States require that sexual health education be medically accurate. This is concerning, as providing medically inaccurate or incomplete education to young people can have devastating effects on sexual health and development.
Advocates for comprehensive sexual health education propose it include:
- Puberty and reproductive development
- Pregnancy prevention
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention
- Gender and sexual orientation
- Healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Sexual decision-making
- Sexual expression
- Consent and sexual violence
- Communication
- Pleasure
Discussions surrounding improving sexual health education are often centered on making education more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, making sex ed more available to those with physical and intellectual disabilities, and including lessons on consent. These issues are also essential to offering holistic sex ed, but sexual dysfunction is often missing from proposed curricula. Thus, it appears that sexual dysfunction continues to be stigmatized and even silenced in the United States.
Why We Need Sexual Dysfunction Conversations in Modern Sex Ed
An estimated 43% of women and 31% of men in the United States currently live with some form of sexual dysfunction. Education surrounding sexual dysfunction is often limited to one-on-one conversations with medical providers. Sexual dysfunction must be openly discussed and presented as a normal part of sexual experience if it is to be properly addressed.
Education that includes open communication regarding sexual dysfunction can better prepare young people for navigating sexual dysfunction later in life. Experts recommend promoting healthy communication about sex between partners to achieve the best outcomes for those experiencing sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction (ED).
Erectile Dysfunction-Specific Information for Sex Educators
Sexual dysfunction is complex and is commonly rooted in both physical and psychological causes. Thus, it is important for educators to have a comprehensive understanding of sexual dysfunction, as well as its treatment modalities.
The most commonly reported form of sexual dysfunction in the United States is erectile dysfunction (ED). Fortunately, ED is so common that it caught the attention of medical providers and researchers earlier than most forms of dysfunction. Safe and effective methods for treating ED include lifestyle change and prescription lifestyle medications.
Examples of sexual dysfunction include:
| Dysfunction | Description |
|---|---|
| Desire Disorders | Disorders that affect sexual libido, desire, or interest in sex are known as desire disorders or libido disorders. These disorders impact the sex lives of all genders. They are often caused by chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease), mental health disorders (e.g. major depression), or imbalanced hormones (e.g. low testosterone). |
| Arousal Disorders | Arousal disorders can make it challenging or even impossible to achieve arousal in all genders. Someone with an arousal disorder may wish to engage in sexual activity, but be unable to do so because his or her body does not respond to sexual stimulation. |
| Orgasm Disorders | The inability to orgasm or a delay in orgasm can be due to orgasm disorders. These disorders are most commonly reported by women, but men can also experience them. Mental strain or stress, physical fatigue, and pain during sex can all result in delayed or inhibited orgasm. |
| Pain Disorders | Persistent pain during sexual activity is most common in women, but can also be experienced by men. Men may experience pain during intercourse due to physical damage to the penis, infection (e.g. herpes), urinary tract infection (UTI), or skin conditions. Women may experience pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness, UTI, hormonal changes, or other related conditions. |
Common methods of treatment for sexual dysfunction include:
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing alcohol consumption
- Regular exercise
- Managing chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension)
- Therapy or sex therapy
- Prescription medications like Viagra
Resources for Educators
Providing up-to-date and medically accurate resources to educators is key to promoting comprehensive sexual health education. The following resources contain valuable information for educators to access when planning and implementing sexual health education.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Advocates for Youth | Advocates for Youth provides tools and resources to students, parents, educators, and legislators. |
| American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) Archives | The ASHA archives feature a variety of resources and articles concerning sexual health education. |
| ASHA Erectile Dysfunction | ASHA provides information about erectile dysfunction, including videos about myths, facts, and partner communication. |
| Guttmacher Institute Sex and HIV Education List | The Guttmacher Institute continually updates a list of sex and HIV education policies by state. |
| Respectability | Respectability provides sexual health education resources for young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. |
| Sex Education Collaborative (SEC) | The SEC provides a series of comprehensive trainings and tools for sex educators across the country. |
Those interested in learning more about erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual health topics can visit the eDrugstore.com blog. To learn more about treatment for erectile dysfunction, explore your options at eDrugstore.com today.
Shelby is a public health professional with research and field experience in sexual and reproductive health. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).