Sexual hygiene

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sexual hygiene describes the doctrine of the health aspects of human sexuality , of the maintenance and consolidation of health and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases , in a narrower sense the hygiene of the male and female sexual organs , which is also referred to as genital hygiene or intimate hygiene , the latter often being is confused with intimate hygiene , which is by no means sufficient to prevent or treat sexually transmitted diseases. In general, sexual hygiene is included in the hygiene specialist field, but it also plays an important role in other specialist areas, for example gynecology , urology and clinical infection theory .

Sexual hygiene deals with topics such as personal hygiene , contraception , pregnancy , termination of pregnancy , sexually transmitted diseases, infections of the genitals and the urinary tract , sexual intercourse and safer sex .

History of Sexual Hygiene

In many countries, hygienic measures, such as washing or dealing with menstrual bleeding , were viewed in a ritual context. For example, in Hindu texts such as the Manusmriti and the Vishnu-Purana , various regulations on this can be found. Bathing is one of the five daily duties ( nitya karma ) in Sikhism ; not bathing is called a sin in some scriptures. Such regulations primarily served a ritual purity, since the transmission of diseases in connection with unclean behavior was not yet known. However, these measures led to a tradition of personal hygiene that also helped prevent infectious diseases.

Latrine in Ostia Antica , Rome

In ancient Rome, personal hygiene was an important social element. In the urban (urban) settlement areas, publicly accessible bathhouses were common and were also required by the population. In addition to the regular exchange of water, facilities and staff for massage, depilation , hairdressing, make-up and oiling, as Ovid recorded in the third part of Ars amatoria , were typical . Public and private latrines were a matter of course for the residents of Rome, and washing with sponges after using the toilet was common. Wastewater was specifically directed from the city, which ensured basic hygiene. In Roman culture, uncleanness related to sexuality was abhorred; many brothels had their own water connections, and cleanliness was evidently common among Roman prostitutes . Prostitutes who did not groom quickly lost their clients. Prostitutes in particular who engaged in practices such as fellatio or anal intercourse were said to have a certain degree of uncleanliness.

Since its inception in the 7th century, Islam has placed great emphasis on personal hygiene. In addition to the rule to ritually cleanse oneself before prayers, there are rules for the use of the toilet, for cleaning after sexual intercourse, for the removal of body hair, especially the pubic hair , and the ritual circumcision ( circumcision ) of male children. Basically, the Qur'an recommends maintaining a high level of personal hygiene and ritual purity.

Contrary to general assumptions and the negative attitude of the Church Fathers to physicality and hygiene, which spread with Christianity, washing with water and bathing in Europe only went out of fashion shortly after the Renaissance. At the time, contemporary scientists assumed that water transmitted diseases through contact with the skin. This led to the neglect of personal hygiene in favor of the abundant use of perfume instead of the widespread use of water and soap in the Middle Ages . Sexually transmitted diseases, especially syphilis , were rampant in spite of the already invented condom , which was used exclusively for contraception . Inadequate education and the negative attitude of the church to sexuality often led to illegal and life-threatening abortions by the so-called angel makers .

Condom with Latin instructions, 1813

Until the late 19th century, access to private toilets and bathrooms was reserved for the upper class. The historian Lynn Thorndike assumes that people in medieval Europe washed themselves more often than those of the 19th century. The current distribution and importance of sanitary facilities did not establish itself until the 19th and 20th centuries, among other things through the research of John Snow , who discovered that cholera was transmitted through water contaminated with faeces . At the same time, the development of restrictive moral ideas encouraged that the use of the toilet and cleaning of the genitals should be as private as possible. In the 1920s, on the initiative of doctors and other people, associations and organizations developed in Germany that endeavored to provide information in the area of ​​sexual hygiene beyond the care of the genital area (e.g. the Sexpol ). Among other things, they campaigned for freer access to contraceptives and abortions, and in some cases represented sexual reform ideas based on psychoanalytical and sexual science findings, but in some cases also pursued racial hygiene and population policy goals.

Sexual hygiene recommendations today are largely based on knowledge from medicine, especially from the relevant hygiene department.

Basics and areas

Even the Arab-Islamic medicine had recognized that there are sexually transmitted diseases. First insights into this are attributed to Mohammed in the 7th century, an expanded and comprehensive understanding of the connections become clear in Avicenna's Liber Canonis (1025). Gynecology, which dealt with contraception, pregnancy and childbirth both in Arabic and in the further developing medicine of the Middle Ages , knew a large number of recipes and remedies for the various women’s ailments. With the recent discoveries in the field of bacteriology , transmission routes and the prevention of venereal diseases in particular, sexual hygiene was systematized and a public interest in the topic developed.

The anatomical conditions of the body, especially the proximity of the anus to the genitals, make it necessary to consistently clean the anogenital area, as bacteria from the intestines, such as E. coli , enter other orifices through improper or lack of hygiene, smear infections or sexual intercourse can be introduced and lead to inflammation there. Fungi , viruses, and parasites can also be transmitted through sexual contact. Diseases caused by them can be prevented by simple measures such as regular cleaning of the external genital organs. Women are particularly at risk in this context because their urethra is shorter than that of men . Ascending urinary tract infections can lead to urinary bladder inflammation , mostly due to contamination with intestinal bacteria.

Electron micrograph of the papilloma virus

In uncircumcised boys and men, a white to light yellow substance, the smegma, regularly forms between the penis foreskin and the glans . If this is not removed as part of the daily intimate hygiene, it can cause odor in men and, in worse cases, inflammation, sometimes with scarring, between the glans and foreskin. A lack of hygiene in this area can endanger the sexual partner and also the man himself through infection with papilloma viruses , one of the triggering factors for cervical cancer and penile cancer .

Some diseases are transmitted through body fluids and can infect the uninfected partner during sexual intercourse through semen , vaginal fluid or blood and saliva. The most important of these diseases from the viral spectrum are AIDS as well as hepatitis B , hepatitis C and genital herpes . The known communicable venereal diseases caused by bacteria are gonorrhea (gonorrhea), syphilis (syphilis), ulcus molle and lymphogranuloma venereum .

A conscious approach to sexuality also includes educating and instructing children and adolescents, both in the field of personal hygiene and sexuality. In addition to systematic and regular cleaning, the aim is to develop an uncomplicated way of dealing with questions about sexuality, for example in the case of necessary examinations by gynecologists , the opportunity to be free and informed about a type of contraception and to protect yourself appropriately against infection with sexually transmitted diseases to be able to. For sexually active people, hygienic handling of sex toys and responsible handling of frequently changing sexual partners, also in the case of their own illness, are part of this. For older people, regular participation in cancer screening examinations and dealing with age-related limitations of sexual and excretory functions and the corresponding aids are also part of systematic sexual hygiene.

Other areas of sexual hygiene are, for example, personal hygiene during menstruation or in the puerperium , the avoidance of nosocomial infections and behavior in the event of urological diseases .

Methods of sexual hygiene

Sex education and guidance on sexual hygiene

One of the essential methods of ensuring widespread and systematic sexual hygiene is to provide information about its necessity, its basics and the possibilities of the individual. This begins with the regular inspection of the genitals by the pediatrician and the corresponding instruction of the parents on basic cleanliness, is continued in school as part of the sex education with the adolescents and is also carried out for adults by various public institutions such as the German Federal Center for Health Education offered. Even in special life situations, for example disability or illness, the nursing staff is trained to deal consciously with the changed sexuality and to be instructed in appropriately adapted intimate hygiene. A well-known historical example of public education was the documentary films from the 1940s and later that were shown during the soldiers' missions abroad and dealt with sexual hygiene and tried to protect young men from contracting sexually transmitted diseases in prostitutes. Not least because of the emergence of AIDS, sexual hygiene has become a cross-national issue. In addition to private national initiatives and government agencies that have arisen worldwide, the World Health Organization is also concerned with coordinating the education of the population.

Intimate hygiene

Systematic sexual hygiene includes both daily washing of the external genital organs with water as well as changing linen. In the male genitalia, special attention should be paid to the thorough removal of the smegma , which in the case of an uncircumcised penis is ultimately only reliably possible by washing with the foreskin completely retracted. Smegma can also form between the labia or around the clitoris in the female genitalia. Intimate showers, intimate washing lotions and intimate lotions are not necessary for regular cleaning of the female genitals and can, under certain circumstances, severely disturb the vaginal flora of the woman and thus promote colonization with germs and fungi. Medical intimate wash lotions from the pharmacy have ingredients that are suitable for the vaginal environment and protect the vaginal flora. During daily cleaning, it is advisable to inspect the genitals with the help of a mirror and, in the event of abnormalities such as burning, oozing, discharge or nodules, to visit a dermatologist (dermatologist) or a gynecologist (gynecologist) immediately .

Bidet for intimate washing

Intimate hygiene also includes protecting the genitals from the introduction of intestinal bacteria when using the toilet. In some, especially oriental, countries cleaning with water is preferred, in other regions dry cleaning with toilet paper is preferred. What they all have in common is the recommendation for women to always clean themselves from the urethra in the direction of the anus in order to avoid urinary tract infections caused by bacterial contamination, as well as washing by hand and avoiding washcloths on which germs can settle. The use of a bidet or a so-called shower toilet is particularly easy and beneficial for personal hygiene . This means a toilet that cleans the anus and vulva with warm water. For the care of urinary or fecal incontinence there are special aids that are used both for self-care and by caregivers and protect the skin from moisture and waterlogging.

In a broader sense, the selection and information about hygiene articles for care during menstruation, for example knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of sanitary towels , tampons and menstrual cups , their correct use and disposal belongs to the intimate hygiene of women. This applies accordingly to the use of templates or panty liners in the puerperium, in the event of discharge or illness and the necessary laundry care to prevent re-infection, for example with fungi. This also includes the choice of underwear with regard to its washability and air permeability.

Urinating after sexual intercourse is also part of intimate hygiene for women: this counteracts the rise of bacteria in the urethra and prevents bladder infections .

Depending on tradition, religion, personal preferences and social trends, additional measures for intimate hygiene belong in some cultures, a widespread example of this is pubic hair removal , which, depending on how it is performed, can also lead to unintentional injuries or skin irritations. In such cases, appropriate wound care and subsequent skin care are just as much a part of sexual hygiene as, for example, caring for a piercing in the genital area.

Hygienic behavior during sexual activities

condom

In order to reduce the risk of infection with various bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, hygienic behavior is required even during sexual activities of any kind. In principle, sexual hygiene measures are independent of gender and sexual orientation, even if the measures can differ depending on the type of sexual intercourse, for example anal or oral intercourse, and also according to personal ideas and requirements. For example, some women are more susceptible to fungal infections in the genital area and others want to protect themselves against an unplanned pregnancy.

The general measures include, for example, the use of condoms and licking cloths to prevent the spread of germs during or thorough cleaning after various anal practices, especially if oral or vaginal intercourse takes place afterwards. This includes the thorough cleaning or disinfection of dildos , butt plugs or vibrators that are used by several people. Another measure is to empty the urinary bladder after intercourse in order to flush any bacteria out of the urethra and to rinse the genitals with lukewarm water after intercourse. Injuries and irritations can be prevented by using suitable lubricants , which should preferably be odorless and water-based. When using lubricants, the use of silicone-based agents on sex toys made of silicone and the use of oil-based agents such as petroleum jelly in connection with latex , for example condoms, should be avoided, as these types of lubricant can damage them.

An essential measure to prevent a sexually transmitted disease is “ safer sex ”. Even if these methods were mainly developed to protect against infection with HIV , they can also prevent infection with other sexually transmitted diseases. In principle, safer sex should be practiced when changing partners or, for example, at so-called one-night stands . When starting a partnership, it should be noted that an infection with HIV can only be reliably detected about three months after a previous risk contact with a previous partner and that a negative HIV test does not mean that other infectious diseases such as viral hepatitis , HPV or gonorrhea can be excluded.

Dealing with illness and sexuality

Dealing responsibly with the sexual partner includes informing them of possible genital diseases and, if necessary, also receiving treatment, for example for the "ping-pong infections" that occur frequently with mushrooms, in which the partners take turns changing each other to be able to treat effectively ( ping-pong effect ). Patients being treated for urological or gynecological diseases may at times have to forego genital practices altogether. Oral-genital contact should be avoided in the case of " cold sores ", thrush or aphthous ulcers in the mouth, and oral practices should also be avoided in the case of inflammation or bleeding gums. People infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases should - ideally together with their partner - find out from their treating doctor how transmission of the disease can be avoided and what measures are necessary in order to still be able to live a fulfilled sexuality.

other areas

See also

literature

  • Trude Ausfelder: Everything that boys want to know. Info & tips for the most exciting years in life . 3. Edition. Klopp, Hamburg 2004, ISBN 3-7817-0101-8 .
  • Trude Ausfelder: Everything that girls want to know . 3. Edition. Klopp, Hamburg 2004, ISBN 3-7817-0100-X .
  • Liliane Juchli , Sylvia Zehnder-Helbling: Intimate care . An awareness folder with 103 pages, 7 transparencies and 44 color slides. Ed .: Swiss Red Cross . Recom, Basel / Eberswalde 1996, ISBN 3-89752-061-3 .
  • Jacob Lipman: Soap, Water, and Sex. A Lively Guide to the Benefits of Sexual Hygiene and to Coping with Sexually . Prometheus Books, Amherst NY 1998, ISBN 1-57392-193-9 .
  • Brigitte Sachsenmaier, Reinhold Greitschus: Incontinence. Help, care and care . Schlütersche, Hannover 1991, ISBN 3-87706-329-2 .
  • Mechthild Seel: Caring for people . Schlütersche, Hannover 1998, ISBN 3-87706-996-7 .
  • The healthy vaginal flora . ( Memento of August 30, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) In: Die Apotheke , Edition 6/2005

Web links

Wiktionary: Sexual hygiene  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Sulabh International Museum of Toilets ( Memento of 20 December 2006 at the Internet Archive )
  2. ^ Ovid : Ars amatoria in the Gutenberg-DE project ( archive version )
  3. ↑ Layla Beicht: Investigation of sexual hygiene in Arab and German patients. Dissertation 2006, p. 5 - Introduction. ( Full text as PDF file; 498 kB (PDF)).
  4. ^ Melissa Snell: Weddings & Hygiene - The Bad Old Days . On: historymedren.about.com update June 28, 2015; last accessed on February 11, 2016.
  5. ↑ Ablutions or Bathing, Historical Perspectives . On: wordinfo.info ; last accessed on February 11, 2016.
  6. ↑ Middle Ages Hygiene . On: middle-ages.org.uk from March 2015; last accessed on February 11, 2016.
  7. ^ Tales of the Middle Ages - Daily Life . (James L. Matterer 1997-2004) At: godecookery.com ; last accessed on February 11, 2016.
  8. ^ Dave Praeger: Poop Culture: How America is Shaped by its Grossest National Product. Feral House, Los Angeles 2007, ISBN 1-932595-21-X .
  9. ↑ Marc Rackelmann: What was the Sexpol? ( Full text as PDF file; 352 kB ( Memento from January 16, 2007 in the Internet Archive ))
  10. ^ Salla Luoma: Sexualwissenschaften until 1933: Magnus Hirschfeld and his Berlin Institute for Sexual Research . Seminar paper from 2003 On: hausarbeiten.de ; last accessed on February 11, 2016.
  11. ^ A Ninth-Century Muslim Scholar's Discussion. In: Lawrence I. Conrad, Dominik Wujastyk: Contagion: Perspectives from Pre-Modern Societies. Ashgate, Burlington VT 2000, ISBN 0-7546-0258-3 .
  12. ↑ George Sarton In: Introduction to the History of Science . Vols I-IV, Carnegie Institute of Washington, Baltimore 1927-31. cyberistan.org; accessed on February 11, 2016.
  13. ↑ Britta-Juliane Kruse: "Medicine is worth gold": Medieval recipes for women. Sexuality, Pregnancy and Childbirth in the Middle Ages. de Gruyter, 1999, ISBN 3-11-014703-3 .
  14. ↑ Cervical Cancer Consortium Europe: Frequently Asked Questions about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer . ( Memento from June 15, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  15. ↑ Michael Kirschbaum, Karsten Münstedt: Checklist gynecology and obstetrics: 175 tables. 2nd, completely revised and expanded edition, Thieme, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-13-190822-X , pp. 404-405.
  16. ↑ a b c d e Public Health, KC: Feminine Hygiene ( Memento from October 16, 2004 in the Internet Archive ) ( MS Word ; 242 kB)
  17. ↑ M. Seel: The care of people. Hannover 1998, pp. 814-817.
  18. ↑ a b M. Seel: The care of people. Hannover 1998, pp. 871-880.
  19. ↑ M. Seel: The care of people. Hannover 1998, pp. 846-852.
  20. ^ S. Kränzle, U. Schmid, C. Seeger: Palliative Care: Handbook for care and accompaniment. Springer, 2007, ISBN 3-540-72324-2 , p. 114 ff.
  21. ↑ For example "Sex Hygiene" (1942), Sexualhygiene in the Internet Movie Database (English)
  22. ↑ Summary of the WHO on national and international tasks and their tasks in AIDS prevention and HIV treatment .
  23. ^ Brigitte Sachsenmaier: Incontinence: Help, care and care. Schlütersche, 1991, ISBN 3-87706-329-2 .
  24. ↑ Myths about the bladder - cystitis caused by too much sex? On: lifestyle.t-online.de ; last accessed on February 11, 2016.
  25. ↑ Trimming and Shaving the Pubic Hair - Instructions and Methods; Retrieved June 17, 2008
  26. ↑ M. Seel: The care of people. Hanover 1998, p. 848 ff.
This version was added to the list of articles worth reading on November 23, 2008 .