- Sexual health is a human right and a state of mental and social well-being.
- Through accurate and timely information, infections of diseases such as HPV, herpes, HIV and chlamydia can be avoided.
- Every September 4, World Sexual Health Day is commemorated.
Every year, the National Institute of Perinatology (INPer) “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” of the Ministry of Health (SSa) provides 1,200 consultations a year on sexual and reproductive health. Of that figure, 15 percent is for women between 15 and 19 years old.
In an interview for the World Sexual Health Day that is commemorated every September 4, the coordinator of Reproductive Health and External Consultation of INPer, Norma Velázquez Ramírez, affirmed that sexual health is a human right and a state of mental and social well-being . She added that it works to ensure pleasurable, safe sexual experiences without coercion, discrimination, or violence.
Sexually transmitted infections that can be prevented
She explained that, during the consultation at INPer, women receive information on safe sexual practices with the use of a condom that protects them from infections by human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chlamydia, or mycoplasma. Any of them, if not treated in a timely manner, can develop diseases that result in reproductive problems.
Velázquez Ramírez explained that there are short-term contraceptive methods, which can be suspended voluntarily, such as oral tablets, monthly injection, patches, female and male condom.
There are also those of long duration such as intrauterine devices, which protect up to 10 years; subdermal implants, three years; and injections, three months, and are recommended for women who do not want to get pregnant for a long period of time.
He said that INPer gives informative courses to patients and relatives on how to lead a full and healthy sex life. Also on the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy or the sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The SSa, through the National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health (CNEGSR), carries out actions in matters of reproductive and sexual health to guarantee that the different sectors of the population exercise this fundamental right.
Timely and adequate counseling, as well as universal access to modern contraceptive methods, are the most important cost-effective strategies in public health due to their positive impact on the prevention of maternal and perinatal deaths, reduction of unsafe abortions due to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Access to modern methods of contraception allows each person to decide when, how many and under what conditions to have children or to exercise their right not to have them, which has an impact on life and development.
To strengthen its use by the adolescent population, CNEGSR coordinates the network of three thousand 116 Teen Friendly Services located in SSa medical units throughout the country.
These spaces provide information, guidance, counselling, medical and psychological care, provision of contraceptive methods and emergency contraception, among others, to people between 10 and 19 years of age. Likewise, 27 itinerant Edusex units contribute to expanding the care coverage in this area.
Free contraceptive methods
The CNEGSR provides technical support in the consolidated purchase of more than 16 codes for contraceptive methods that are distributed free of charge in health units in the 32 states.
The Technical guidelines for the prescription and use of contraceptive methods in Mexicorecently published, incorporate scientific advances and the most recent recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This reference material is essential for all the staff of the National Health System to provide guidance and quality services, with clear, simple and truthful information so that users choose the contraceptive that best suits their needs and reproductive preferences, taking considering your health condition.
Also read:
Health anniversaries for September: From Sexual Health to Medical Ethics
4 keys to improve the sexual and reproductive health of your patients
Myths about female sexuality that you should clarify in your patients