Dr Petra Boynton: Good sexual health is simple
Thursday, 14 Feb 2008 13:42
People should manage their sexual health as they do with any other aspect of their wellbeing, sexual health expert Dr Petra Boynton has said.
The psychologist told
inthenews.co.uk she is aware there are "a lot of myths and anxieties about condoms" but sought to reassure people that their use is "quite simple".
"Everybody can manage their sexual health in the same way that we manage lots of other areas of our lives - it's quite simple really; if you're looking out for yourself and the person you're with you are respecting yourself and them," Dr Boynton said.
"If you've got condoms and you're using them you don't have to worry about sexually transmitted infections [STIs] and unwanted pregnancy."
There has been an emphasis on improving sexual health awareness during school lessons, but Dr Boynton said it is an issue that all sections of society have a responsibility to tackle.
"Everybody has responsibility: parents, schools, friends and the media - everywhere," she explained.
"Nowadays it's like everybody's telling you something about sex but it's always about how to have the best ever sex and lots of it. So people do get very anxious and confused and feel under pressure and that can lead to people taking risks and making decisions that they perhaps ordinarily wouldn't do."
Dr Boynton urged people to carry condoms with them and to also have them stored at home.
She also encouraged those with questions about sexual health and where to find advice to visit the website
condomessentialwear.co.uk.
"I think sometimes people aren't aware about [sexual health] clinics and a lot of younger people aren't sure maybe where clinics are or they don't know that clinics are open at various times to suit them," Dr Boynton said.
"A lot of clinics have early or late opening times and the condom website lets you look up where your local clinic is. The site also tells people about symptoms and where to notice them."
Issuing a plea for people to take control of their sexual health and to not be embarrassed talking about condoms, the sexual health expert added: "STIs are a worry but I think a lot of people think it will happen to other people. When you meet someone you are really attracted to the last thought in your head is 'oh, I wonder if they've got an STI'.
"That's the advantage of using condoms - you can stay safe and enjoy yourself. If the relationship develops than you can have a conversation about STIs and go to a clinic for testing."
