This week was World Health Day, which reminds us that health is about so much more than just avoiding illness. It’s about feeling good in your body, confident in your choices, and connected to your overall wellbeing—and that includes your sexual health.
Looking after your sexual health isn’t just about preventing STIs – it is about taking care of your whole self: your body, your pleasure, your relationships, and your peace of mind. While sex is something many of us explore, we often overlook the importance of nurturing and nourishing our sexual wellbeing. Just like you care for your body with nourishing food, movement, or a nightly skincare ritual, your genitals and your sexual self deserve that same level of care, attention, and love.
Here are five simple but powerful things you can do this week to support your sexual wellness – no shame, no panic, just a gentle reminder that you deserve to feel good, safe, and connected.
1. Book that STI check – even if you feel fine.
STIs don’t always come with symptoms, which is why regular check-ups matter, even if you feel perfectly healthy or haven’t had any new partners in a while. Don’t wait till something doesn’t feel right because getting tested isn’t a sign something’s wrong – it’s just part of owning your sexual wellness, having peace of mind and ensuring you and others stay safe.
2. Book that smear test. Get your balls checked.
When was your last cervical screening (smear test)? Or, if you’ve got testicles, when was the last time you checked them for any unusual lumps, pain, or changes? These check-ins only take a few minutes and could be life-saving. Make it a routine act of self-care, not something to dread or delay. Your body deserves that attention and could literally save your life.
3. Noticed a shift in your libido? It’s time for a little life review.
Your libido can and will ebb and flow depending on stress, relationships, hormones, medication, diet, and even how much you’re sleeping. If your desire has changed and it’s worrying you, consider looking at the bigger picture. Has anything shifted in your lifestyle? Are you on new meds? Are you getting enough pleasure and connection in your day-to-day? If you are lost about where even to start or can’t work out the blockers, try exploring it with a professional coach or therapist here on Sensual.
4. Nourish your pleasure – solo or with others.
Looking after your sexual health also means staying connected to your pleasure and constantly checking in with your needs. Whether that’s enjoying mindful solo time with shame or guilt, exploring new sensations or experiences, or having open conversations with partners about what feels good – sexual wellness is about more than just hygiene or check-ups. It’s about the mental and emotional elements, too.
Your sexual health is self-care.
So often, we ignore our sexual wellbeing until something feels off. But what if we gave it the same attention we give to our skincare, gym goals, or mental health? This week, pick one thing from the list above and give yourself the time and space to check it off or explore it.
April Maria
April Maria is a qualified sex educator, sex and relationships coach and training psychosexual and relationships therapist. For the last four years, April has been working in the field of sex education, sex tech and pleasure, endometriosis awareness and helping others when it comes to sexual wellness, intimacy, dating and relationships.
