Let’s get awkward for a second— a lot of people don’t actually understand what sexual wellness means. Between rushed presentations in middle school, 1 a.m. incognito searches and unrealistic movies like “1933 Ecstasy,” learning about it should not be a “roll of the dice” situation. Some parents help guide those conversations, but for many young adults, that simply isn’t the reality.
Part of the problem is that sexual wellness rarely gets talked about. This knowledge should be a commodity, a birthright — a right of passage as a human, not a luxury.
“People feel embarrassed or even shamed for asking questions, and as a result, many young adults end up guessing about basic things like preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections,” Reena Patel, a physician assistant specializing in OBGYN, said.
Before diving into sexual wellness, it helps to define the word itself. And no, we’re not talking about sipping wine with a facemask on while the next episode of “Friends” plays in the background. Sure, that’s one version of wellness, but it’s not the one we’re focusing on today.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, wellness is “the state of being healthy, especially when it is something that you actively try to achieve.” In other words, wellness isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s about how people actively care for their physical, mental and emotional health every day.
It’s tempting to ignore the uncomfortable truths. But what could go wrong? Is not knowing really harmless, or are there real risks involved?
Sex therapist Aydrelle Collins, owner of Melanin sex therapy, said not knowing about sexual health comes with serious risks.
“There are obvious physical dangers, STIs, unintended pregnancies, abortion, sexual assault — but the emotional side is just as important,” Collins said. “Lack of knowledge can lead to psychological trauma.”
Collins said she worked with survivors of sexual assault who didn’t recognize what had happened at the time.
“Often, they hadn’t learned what sexual assault or healthy sexual experiences really look like. Without that understanding, it’s impossible to make informed decisions about your own body and relationships,” Collins said.
Collins added that one of the biggest harms from a lack of proper sex education is the loss of autonomy and agency.
“When people don’t have the tools or information to make choices for themselves, it affects their confidence, their relationships and their ability to protect themselves,” Collins said.
One area where this lack of information is particularly evident is sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which remain heavily stigmatized, according to associate therapist Muskan Hussain.
“I believe conversations around STIs and sexual wellness are heavily stigmatized, which is very unfortunate because a large portion of the population will at some point contract an STI,” Hussain said.
Hussain noted that shame and guilt often accompany this discussion.
“There seems to be a lot of shame and guilt around the topic of STIs in my experience working with clients, when in reality it is much more common than most people are aware of,” Hussain said.
Hussain added that better education on treatment and prevention could reduce both stigma and the occurrence of STIs.
Hussain noted that a lack of sexual wellness education can have serious consequences. Being unaware of how STIs are transmitted, how they are treated, general hygiene, abnormal symptoms and contraceptive or preventive measures can affect personal decision-making.
“Someone who is unaware or has inaccurate knowledge may believe that they are partaking in ‘normal’ or ‘regular’ behaviors, which may lead to physical symptoms and a decrease in quality of life,” Hussain said.
A shrug and a “What could go wrong?” is tempting, but knowledge is what actually makes a difference. It’s power in your hands and the key to making smart, informed and safe choices.
But how do we actually practice sexual wellness and get informed?
Patel recommended turning to various health associations and websites like Planned Parenthood for information. Collins recommended an online platform called Oschool.com and the book “Come as you are” by Emily Nagoski. Hussain suggested the website WHO fact sheets and heavily encouraged the use of protection.
Partaking in regular STD and STI testing is a must. SMU offers free STD testing along with KIND clinic in Oak Lawn.
“Make sure you are getting your health information from credible sources. Keep in mind anyone can post anything online or on social media. If you hear a certain health claim, do your due diligence and research it before you believe it.” Patel said. “The CDC and ACOG [American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology] and American Sexual Health Association have helpful, evidence-based information about sexual health on their websites.”
So, what’s the takeaway? Sexual wellness isn’t just some awkward conversation or a late-night Google search. It’s about equipping yourself with the tools, knowledge and confidence to take care of yourself. Experts agree, and science doesn’t lie. The more you know, the less shame you carry, the safer your choices and the better your relationships.
So stop shrugging and wondering, “What could go wrong?” Get curious, ask questions, fact-check your sources and don’t, and I repeat, don’t, be afraid to talk about it. After all, your sexual wellness isn’t a game of chance; it’s a roll you can actually control.
