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5 - Sexual health

from Part I - Health promotion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2009

By
Margaret R. H. Nusbaum
Edited by
Jo Ann Rosenfeld
Margaret R. H. Nusbaum
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Jo Ann Rosenfeld
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University
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Summary

Case: a 50 year-old woman presents for her wellness exam. She has no chronic illnesses or allergies, and she is on no medications. She is married, has five children, and has not worked outside of the home since she was married at age 22. Her review of systems is remarkable for tearfulness and occasional feelings of “nervousness.” The youngest, and last of her five children to leave home, leaves for college in ten days.

Importance

Sexuality and sexual health are some of the least scientifically studied areas of health and human interaction, and the sexual health of mid-life women is no exception.

Sexuality is much more then sexual behavior. Sexuality is an important part of one's health, quality of life, and general wellbeing. Sexuality is an integral part of the total person, affecting the way each individual – from birth to death – relates to herself, her sexual partner(s), and every other person. This time of life can and should be a tremendously positive time for women in regards to sexual health. How a woman successfully navigates sexual health risks depends on the complexity of how she defines herself and her sexuality in relationship to aging, menstruation, childbearing capability, success with overcoming challenges of her past, and the quality of intimate partnership(s). Risks to sexual health can include unplanned pregnancy, the physiologic changes of transition into and through menopause and with aging, the increased probability of chronic illness and its medical and surgical treatment, abuse in any form, and sexually transmitted infections.

Keywords

dihydroepiandrosteroneshuman immunodeficiency virusmenopausemid-life womensexually transmitted infectionssexual health
Type
Chapter
Information
Women's Health in Mid-Life
A Primary Care Guide
 , pp. 61 - 80
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2004

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References

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  • Sexual health
  • Edited by Jo Ann Rosenfeld, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Book: Women's Health in Mid-Life
  • Online publication: 21 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545672.005
Available formats
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  • Sexual health
  • Edited by Jo Ann Rosenfeld, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Book: Women's Health in Mid-Life
  • Online publication: 21 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545672.005
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Sexual health
  • Edited by Jo Ann Rosenfeld, The Johns Hopkins University
  • Book: Women's Health in Mid-Life
  • Online publication: 21 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545672.005
Available formats
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