When it comes to sexual health, it’s important to strike a balance between safety and pleasure while respecting individual rights. Doug Braun-Harvey is a well-known clinician and educator specialising in sexual health and relationships and is the founder of The Harvey Institute, California. He has contributed significantly to the field of sexual health through his work on understanding and improving sexual well-being. One of his key contributions is the development of the six principles of sexual health, which provide a framework for living a sexually healthy life.  These principles offer a comprehensive guide to living a sexually healthy life.  

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Think of Douglas Braun-Harvey's six principles of sexual health as aspirations and goals for living your sexual life in such a way that you feel proud and that supports those you love and our greater society to have a method for aspiring toward a lifetime journey toward improving sexual health. 

Six Principles of Sexual Health 

1. Consent
2. Non Exploitation
3. Honesty
4. Shared Values
5. Prevention from Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI’s)
6. Pleasure

8 Safe Sexual Health Practices

Use of Condoms or Dental Dams During Oral Sex

Using condoms or dental dams during oral sex is a simple yet powerful way to protect yourself and your partners from STIs. Many people don’t realise that oral sex can still transmit infections like herpes, HPV, and gonorrhoea, so it’s essential to take precautions. Just like with any other sexual activity, using barriers during oral sex can help you enjoy pleasure without unnecessary worry. They’re easy to use, and while it may feel a little awkward at first, once it becomes a habit, it just becomes part of the experience. Plus, knowing that you're taking the right steps to protect each other can make you feel more comfortable and confident, allowing you to fully enjoy the moment.

What’s amazing is that these protective methods also allow for a more respectful and caring dynamic between partners. When both people are committed to using condoms or dental dams, it’s a sign of mutual respect and concern for each other’s health. 

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Regular STI Testing

Regular STI testing is one of the best ways to protect both your own health and the health of your partners. It’s easy to forget about or put off, but staying on top of testing ensures that you’re aware of your sexual health status and can address any potential issues early. Many STIs don’t show obvious symptoms, so you might not even know you have one, making testing an essential step for anyone who is sexually active. Regular STI testing helps you take responsibility for your well-being while also showing care for your partners. It empowers you with knowledge, enabling honest conversations about health and safety, which in turn builds trust and strengthens your connection with others.

Beyond just peace of mind, regular STI testing is an important step in reducing the spread of infections. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing more serious health issues down the road, and they can help keep your sexual experiences free from fear or uncertainty. The more we normalise testing, the more we remove the stigma around it, making sexual health an open, supportive conversation for everyone. It’s all about creating a culture where we prioritise our bodies and take active steps to protect ourselves and those we care about.

Avoid the Use of Intimate Washes

A 2018 study conducted by researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, takes into account information about intimate health provided by 1,435 adult women from Canada and has revealed that intimate hygiene products are popular among the female population, but their use worryingly correlates with a heightened risk of vaginal or urinary tract infections (UTIs).

It can be tempting to reach for intimate washes or scented soaps, thinking they’ll help you feel fresher or cleaner. However, these products can actually disrupt the natural balance of the genital area, leading to dryness, irritation, and even infections. The genital area is self-cleaning, so introducing harsh chemicals or fragrances can throw off that natural balance. It's a good idea to stick to water or a mild, unscented soap when cleaning. Your body knows how to take care of itself, and keeping it simple often works best.

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Avoid Sharing Personal Items

When it comes to sexual health, sharing items like razors, towels, or sex toys can be risky. These items can harbour bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and sharing them can easily pass infections from one person to another. For example, razors can cause tiny nicks in the skin, creating a perfect entry point for bacteria or viruses. Towels can retain moisture and bacteria from the environment, while sex toys, if not cleaned properly between uses, can spread infections like herpes, HPV, or other STIs. It’s best to keep these items personal and make sure they’re properly cleaned before any shared use.

Perform Regular Self-Exams

Performing regular self-exams is an easy but powerful way to stay proactive about your sexual health. Getting into the habit of checking your body for any unusual changes—like lumps, sores, rashes, or discharge—can help you spot potential problems early. Many times, these changes could signal an infection or another health issue that’s better addressed sooner rather than later. By familiarising yourself with what’s normal for your body, you’re in a better position to detect issues quickly and get the treatment you need.

Taking the time to perform self-exams shows that you’re actively taking care of your body and staying tuned in to any changes. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare provider. Early intervention can often make a huge difference in addressing problems before they become bigger issues.

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Avoid Douching 

Douching is the practice of rinsing or cleaning the inside of the vagina with water or other fluids, often with the intention of cleaning or deodorising the vaginal area. This is typically done using a specially designed bottle or bag that sprays the fluid into the vagina.

Also, women should not douche after intercourse--it does not protect against STIs. And, it could spread an infection farther into the reproductive tract and can wash away spermicidal protection. Douching might seem like a quick way to feel fresh, but it’s actually one of the most harmful things you can do for your genital health. Your body is naturally equipped to keep the vaginal area clean on its own, and douching can disrupt this natural balance, leading to dryness, irritation, and even infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. By flushing out both good and bad bacteria, you’re essentially removing the body’s natural defences, which leaves you more vulnerable to infections. It’s also important to note that douching can sometimes force bacteria further into the reproductive system, increasing the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Communicate Openly With Your Partners

One of the most important aspects of maintaining sexual health is communication. Being open and honest with your partner(s) about your sexual health, boundaries, and any concerns you may have is key to creating a safe and trusting environment. This means discussing your sexual history, whether you’ve been tested for STIs, and any preferences or limits you may have in the bedroom. Communication helps ensure that both partners are on the same page and that their health and well-being are prioritised. When both people feel safe and heard, it creates a space for intimacy that is both enjoyable and respectful.

Open communication about sexual health can also help reduce misunderstandings or fears related to protection and consent. It builds a sense of partnership in which both individuals feel supported and responsible for each other's safety. It’s not always easy to have these conversations, but addressing them directly can help prevent potential risks and reinforce the idea that sexual health is a shared responsibility.

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Respect Your Body and Boundaries

Everyone has different physical and emotional limits, and it’s important to recognise and honour them. If something feels off, whether it's physical discomfort during sex or emotional unease, it's essential to listen to those signals. Setting clear boundaries helps create a safe space for yourself and your partners to engage in sexual activities without pressure or discomfort. By understanding your limits and communicating them openly, you can foster better, healthier relationships and sexual experiences that are in tune with what feels right for you.

Taking care of your body means acknowledging when something isn’t working for you—whether that’s stopping an activity that feels unsafe or simply recognising when you need rest or self-care. Respecting your body goes beyond just physical limits; it’s also about taking care of your emotional and mental well-being. 

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Regular health checks are essential for everyone, but they are particularly important for individuals who are at risk of or already have any underlying condition. Taking regular health checks can help detect the condition at an early stage when it is easier to manage and treat. With the UR.Life HRA, we help you to invest in your well-being through seamless interventions and targeted medical treatments. Our holistic wellness approach caters to all aspects of your well-being. We ensure that you can bring your whole self to work.

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