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3: The Health History

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instructor material

DOI:

10.1891/9780826179630.0003

Authors

  • Brooks, Paula
  • Carcio, Helen A.

Abstract

Sexual health is the integration of somatic, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexual beings in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and love. It is multidimensional and involves sexual attitudes, behavior, practices, and activity. Its definition incorporates the whole person, including sexual thoughts, experiences, and values about being male or female. The three key elements of sexual health include: A capacity to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive behavior in accordance with a personal and social ethic. Freedom from fear, shame, guilt, false beliefs, and other psychological factors that inhibit sexual response and impair sexual relationships. Freedom from organic disorders, diseases, and deficiencies that interfere with sexual and reproductive functions. This chapter discusses elements of a comprehensive, developmentally relevant health history. The sexual assessment must include a physiologic, psychological, and sociocultural evaluation, as well as elements that focus on age-related issues.