Sexual Health

Children are often curious and positive about their own and others’ bodies. They explore how their bodies work and express their sexuality through different kinds of play as they grow. It’s also very common for children to touch their genitals and masturbate. All of this is a natural part of a child’s development.

For children to understand themselves, they need to learn the words for different body parts and emotions. Talking openly about the body and sexuality makes it easier for them to ask questions and to speak up if something harmful has happened to them. It’s important that children receive answers that are appropriate for their age, and that adults respond in a way that does not create feelings of guilt or shame.

It is the responsibility of adults to teach children about boundaries and respect.

• Talk about which body parts no one is allowed to touch without permission.
• Explain that not all people are always kind.
• Teach your child never to go with a stranger, even if offered candy, games, or other rewards.
• Encourage your child to say no and leave uncomfortable situations.
• Urge your child to tell a trusted adult.

Getting to know your own body and sexuality takes time. During teenage years, the body goes through major changes, which can feel both confusing and exciting. Sometimes pressure from others can make you feel like you need to hurry to become sexually active. Many young people think their peers have more sexual experience than they do, but that’s usually not true. You can explore your sexuality and sex at your own pace. Sex becomes relevant at different times for different people – there’s no ”right” age to start having sex. Sexuality is an important part of life for some, whereas for others it’s less significant.

Many young people are exposed to pornography early on. For some, this can create unrealistic expectations about what sex should look like. You can always contact sexual health or contraception counselling if you want to talk with a professional about sexuality, pornography, or setting boundaries.

It’s important that schools provide sexual education and that adults are open to discussing sex at home. This helps young people gain a more balanced understanding of sex and learn the importance of respecting their own and others’ boundaries.

For parents of teenagers, here are some tips on how to talk about sex:

• Start small if it feels difficult – for example, bring up something you’ve read in an article or seen in the news.
• Make conversations about sex a natural part of everyday life, so it becomes easier for the young person to speak openly.
• Keep the conversation general – don’t talk about your own sexuality or pry into the young person’s private matters.
• Talk about sex in a positive way, showing respect for diversity.
• Approach the topic from a perspective that feels natural to you, such as the body, emotions, relationships, or rights.

Human beings are sexual throughout their entire lives. Sexuality doesn’t disappear with age, but it does change. The body changes over time, and this can affect how sexuality is expressed. Illness, hormonal changes, medications, and reduced mobility can influence desire or physical ability.

If you experience difficulties, it’s good to talk openly with your partner. You can also seek advice or help from healthcare professionals. There are many options available, such as products for dryness, medications for erectile difficulties, and counselling if desire has decreased.

Remember that intimacy doesn’t always have to mean intercourse. Many people find joy in other forms of closeness, such as hugging, touching, massage, dancing, or simply lying close together. Ultimately, sexuality is about feeling seen, valued, and alive – at any age.

Sexuality is a fundamental human trait – it applies to everyone, regardless of health or ability. Illness or disability can make it more difficult to express and fulfill one’s sexuality, but that doesn’t mean the basic needs disappear. Instead, it may mean finding new ways and approaches that suit your body and circumstances. Different physical variations – such as reduced mobility, loss of sensation, or medical treatments – can affect how sex and intimacy work. In such cases, it’s important to explore what feels right, either on your own or together with a partner.

There are many assistive devices available that can help make your sex life more fulfilling, such as positioning supports. Communicating openly with your partner, healthcare professionals, or support persons about your feelings, needs, and desires is often key to a good sex life on your own terms. You have the right to decide whether you want to have sex, how you want it, or if you prefer to abstain. What matters most is that the decision is always your own.

1. LGBTIQA+ – an umbrella abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual people (+ other identities and orientations).
2. Gender identity – the identity a person has regarding their gender, and something only the individual themselves can define.
3. Gender expression – how a person expresses gender, for example through clothing, hairstyle, voice, or body language.
4. Cisgender– someone whose gender identity matches the sex assigned to them at birth.
5. Transgender – an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression does not align with the sex assigned to them at birth.
6. Nonbinary – an identity that does not conform to the traditional categories of man or woman.
7. Queer – a term that can describe an identity, a worldview, or a critical perspective on norms related to gender and sexuality.
8. Intersex – a person born with physical traits that do not fit typical definitions of ”male” or ”female” bodies.
9. Intersectionality – a perspective that examines how different systems of power (such as gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and class) interact with each other.
10. Heteronormativity – a social norm based on the assumption that everyone is heterosexual and cisgender, and that men and women should behave in certain ways.
11. Gender dysphoria – a strong sense of discomfort or distress arising from the feeling that one’s body or society’s expectations about gender do not match one’s gender identity. Gender dysphoria can lead to emotional suffering, worry, or anxiety, and can vary in intensity from person to person.

Sex can sometimes be made easier or more pleasurable with the help of sexual assistive devices. Using such tools can help people experience pleasure and have sex in ways that suit them. They can be used alone or with others. If you need help finding a product that fits your needs, you can talk to a retailer or a sexual health counsellor.

• Using lubricant during intercourse can significantly improve your sex life. Vaginal dryness can especially cause discomfort when estrogen levels drop during menopause.
• Kegel balls (geisha balls) can be used regularly to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Strong pelvic muscles help women experience more pleasure during sex and can also prevent urinary incontinence.
• A vibrator can be a valuable tool for increasing pleasure, both during masturbation and with a partner.
• A finger vibrator can be used to stimulate the clitoris, vagina, anus, perineum, or testicles.
• A dilator can help with pain or tightness during intercourse.
• You can achieve a longer and firmer erection with a penis ring, which is placed around the penis. The ring slows blood flow out of the penis and can also provide stimulation for your partner.
• Medical treatment for erectile problems is available from a doctor.

• Right to self-determination
  You have the right to make decisions about your own body, sexuality, and relationships.
• Freedom from violence and discrimination
  No one should be subjected to sexual violence, coercion, harassment, or discrimination because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. No one has the right to touch another person without consent. You’re entitled to help and support if you have experienced sexual violence or harassment.
• Right to sexual and reproductive health
  You have the right to:
  • Information and education: You should receive sexual education appropriate to your age and level of development, as well as information about sexually transmitted infections and contraceptives.
  • Access to healthcare: You have the right to gynecological care, maternity care, and access to contraceptives and safe abortion services.             
  • Pleasurable and safe sexual experiences: You have the right to experience sex without fear of disease, pregnancy, coercion, or violence.
• Right to privacy
  You have the right to define your sexual and gender identity without restriction or stigmatization.

With sexual rights also comes the responsibility to respect the rights of others. Sexual violence refers to threats, violations, or assaults of a sexual nature, and it is a violation of sexual rights. Other terms for sexual violence include sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape. Anyone can be subjected to sexual violence, regardless of gender.

Forms of sexual violence:

• Verbal abuse or degrading comments about someone’s body, gender, sexuality, or gender expression.
• Trying to make a person feel ashamed in a sexual situation.
• Talking to someone in a sexual way when they don’t want to.
• Touching someone’s body with your hands, mouth, or genitals without their consent.
• Humiliating someone, for example forcing them to do something they find unpleasant or disgusting.
• Kissing or caressing someone who doesn’t want to.
• Nagging someone into having sex.
• Forcing a person to engage in sexual acts through threats.
• Pressuring or forcing someone to watch sexual acts.
• Pressuring or forcing someone into sexual activity online.
• Rape within a marriage or family relationship.
• Rape by a stranger.
• Sexual exploitation of people with mental or physical disabilities.
• Sexual exploitation of children.
• Human trafficking, forced prostitution, and purchasing sex from a person under 18.
• Forced marriage, including child marriage.
• Denial of the right to use contraception or protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
• Forced abortion or denial of access to abortion.
• Acts of violence against women’s sexual integrity, such as female genital mutilation or virginity testing.