STIs and STDs are on the rise and it is vital to use contraceptives which prevent against diseases. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Sexual health is not just about diseases. Here are some sexual health tips you can practice.
Conversations around sexual health are still considered a taboo but gradually, Kenyans are beginning to embrace discussions centred on sexually transmitted diseases.
However, sexual health is not just about diseases. Here are some sexual health tips you can practice.
Eating healthy: Sexuality and nutrition go hand in hand. To have a body that is at its best, nourish it with foods and minerals. However, avoid low sodium diets and fatty foods which are known to reduce energy and expose a man or a woman to the risk of hypertension.
High blood pressure medications that can cause sexual dysfunction.
Exercise on a regular basis: It is essential to develop an exercise routine to avoid being obese or having high cholesterol levels. Obese people tend to have fewer sexual partners due to low self esteem. Obese men are at risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction than normal weight men. Exercises improve thinking and memory because of the increased blood flow to the brain thus countering a lethargic feeling in the body.
Avoid smoking: It might be time to shelve those pricey Cuban cigars that seem to fashionable among Kenyan men and cigarettes for women if you are looking for a healthy sexual life. Cigarette smoke restricts blood flow to the arterial walls leading to many conditions in both the male and female genital organs thus reducing the ability to perform normally.
Reduce alcohol intake: Excessive intake of alcohol overworks the liver and also affects the nerves and the brain. Excessive alcohol causes the body’s systems to slow down and may reduce the libido.
Communicate your preferences: Sexual health has a lot to do with communication between partners. In doing this, an atmosphere of openness is fostered.
Protect yourself: STIs and STDs are on the rise and it is vital to use contraceptives which prevent against diseases while avoiding unplanned pregnancies. Have regular medical tests to ensure that diseases are caught early.
Ms Mbugua is the head of care and medical advisory, Resolution Insurance
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