Patient's Guide to Sexual Health: Birth Control and Erectile Dysfunction

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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Education around sexual health is important! Sexual health is vital for overall well-being and involves physical, emotional, and social factors. It's about feeling good about yourself and your relationships while staying safe and respectful. Questions about birth control and erectile dysfunction are among the most commonly raised to doctors.

Fortunately, there are great options out there for getting the answers you need! A tool like Optum Perks Online Care allows you to skip the waiting room and get prompt responses from healthcare professionals without the need for an in-person visit! Just answer a few questions about your concern - no video required. If you have sexual health questions, be sure to check them out.

Benefits of Education

In 2021, the Journal of Adolescent Health did a 30 year review of research around sexual health education and its impact. They found a number of benefits in 5 distinct areas.

1. Appreciation of Gender and Sexual Diversity: This corresponded with lower rates of homophobia. It also let to a reduction in bullying and more understanding of gender and gender norms. Finally, there was greater recognition of gender equity, rights and social justice.
2. Prevention of Dating Violence and Intimate Partner Violence: Education around sexual health lowered rates of violence in relationships. It also increased bystander intentions and behaviors.
3. Healthy Relationships: Education increased knowledge, attitudes, and skills for health relationships. There was also improved communication and intention between partners.
4. Prevention of Child Sex Abuse: Sexual health education led to an improved knowledge and attitude related to personal safety and touch. It also improved disclosure skills, which are related to the ability to share thoughts, feelings, and interests.
5. Other Benefits: Finally, people with greater sexual health education had higher social emotional learning skills and media literacy.

Birth Control

Birth control remains one of the most sought after areas for patient education and health literacy. Women and men alike can benefit from a greater understanding of the options available, safe practices, and potential costs and side effects.

In the United States, contraceptive use tends to decrease with age. For women ages 18 to 25, the use of oral contraceptives and male condoms was around 50%. For ages 36 to 49, that rate drops to 22%. Regardless of age or sexual goals, staying informed about your options is important. Here, we will look at some of the most common choices for birth control!

1. Condoms: Condoms are a popular choice for both men and women. They're easy to use and also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In the United States, about 66% of sexually active women aged 15-44 use condoms with their partner.
2. Birth Control Pills: These are small tablets taken daily by women to prevent pregnancy. They contain hormones that stop ovulation. Around 12% of women aged 15-49 in the U.S. use birth control pills.
3. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): IUDs are small, T-shaped devices placed inside the uterus by a healthcare provider. They are very effective and can last for several years.
4. Permanent Methods: For those who are certain they don't want children, sterilization procedures like vasectomies for men and tubal ligations for women are options.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity. It's more common than you might think, affecting about 30 million men in the United States. Fortunately, it is often treatable! Health care professionals, like a primary care doctor or urologist, have a number of steps they can take to help with this condition. While it may be difficult to talk about, understanding your options can help.

1. Medications: There are a number of oral medications that have been shown to make a difference! Brand names like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Stendra can help improve blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get and maintain an erection.
2. Lifestyle Changes: Consider these simple lifestyle adjustments, which for many people can make a difference. Choose a healthy diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. All of these have been shown to contribute to managing ED.
3. Therapy: Counseling or therapy can help address psychological factors contributing to ED, such as anxiety or relationship issues. Stress, anxiety and depression have been shown to lead to erectile dysfunction.

It's important to talk to a healthcare provider about any concerns regarding sexual health. They can provide personalized advice and support. You are not alone in looking for answers to your sexual health questions! Rest assured, these are some of the most common issues people bring to their doctors. We hope you find this information helpful.