I want to improve my sexual health. This is my Health Priority!

To improve your sexual health, the Pharmacie Principale suggests the following approach :

1. I want to understand before I act
2. I want to know my health status
3. I want to set a goal
4. I want to create a personalised approach
5. I want to be walked through every step
6. I just want to buy a product
7. I want to track and manage my health progress

1. I want to understand before I act

In 2002, the WHO defined sexual health as follows "Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled."

Sexual health contributes significantly to physical and psychological health, and to one's quality of life. It has many beneficial effects, such as improving mood, decreasing depressive symptoms, and reducing risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

How does it work?

The figure below illustrates the 3 main areas of sexual health.

Safety—safe sex

From a safety perspective, there are 2 main objectives:

• Avoiding catching or transmitting a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Avoiding unwanted pregnancy

The methods the Pharmacie Principale proposes are:

1. Using a condom (preferably lubricated) is the best way to reduce the risk of STIs and pregnancy. Using a water-soluble gel to prevent condom breakage. (There is an increased risk with vaginal dryness.) Oils and Vaseline should be avoided as they can alter the condom or make it porous, which increases the risk of rupture as well as contamination.
2. See the table below listing birth control methods and their effectiveness.
3. Safety is also knowing how to set one's risk tolerance and sticking to it. Managing one's alcohol (or drug) consumption can prevent inappropriate decisions. And reading a book on sexuality helps provide a better understanding of how it works, and how to better control it.

Contraceptive methods

Pleasure—fun sexOMS : Critères de recevabilité pour l'adoption et l'utilisation continue de méthodes contraceptives (4e édition, 2009), p. 4, tableau 1

Sex is a life force, a modulator of societal structure and functioning, a motivator for dating and close relationships. It is also an important source of pleasure and reward.

Sex is still a taboo subject in many cultures. The pursuit of pleasure is even more so. However, the search for more pleasure in sex has been the subject of countless works of writing throughout the centuries, and more recently, numerous scientific publications.

We are currently witnessing a reclaiming of pleasure and a removal of associated guilt. These days, pleasure is even more accessible through the use of products and accessories, which have been proven to be useful and effective.

The Pharmacie Principale proposes the following methods:

1. Pleasure is linked to the knowledge of one's body and its reactions. Stimulators for men and women are intended to help explore and discover different areas of the body that may generate new feelings of pleasure and produce different types and intensities of orgasms (clitoral, vaginal, anal).
2. Lubricants and flavours enhance eroticism and pleasure. The choice of lubricant depends on whether one is using a condom or a sex toy. Some lubricants are less disruptive to the vaginal and anal flora. There are also natural lubricants such as sweet almond oil and coconut oil.
3. Massage oils are fun and pleasant. They help to trigger desire, enhance excitement and can facilitate orgasms.
4. Some fragrances have erotic properties, and scented candles create a more intimate atmosphere, promoting sexual desire.

Difficulties

Sexual function influences and is influenced by many factors, as shown in the diagram below. This shows that about 40% of women and 30% of men encounter issues with sex at some point in their lives. In most cases, solutions exist that are very effective. The main problem is that people who need help wait up to 7 years before talking to their doctor or sexologist.

When there is a problem, the most important thing to do is to talk about it—with your partner, your doctor, or one of our pharmacists, particularly if symptoms have lasted for more than 6 months and the symptoms are an issue for you.

Our teams have been trained by experienced sex therapists, and are available 6 days a week—even 7 days a week at our Airport pharmacy. Our training has focused on the primary challenges for women and men shown below, and possible solutions that we can offer as part of our role as pharmacists.

If the problem is recent, we can suggest a product or accessory that might help. If it is a longer-standing problem, and there is pain, it is important to consult your doctor or sexologist.
A change in your sexuality is an important indication of your health. We must therefore look for the cause. Some medication can cause sexual difficulties. A change in medication or dosage may be enough to deal with the problem, which is one more reason to come and talk to us. .

For more information visit the info-santé section of our website: info-santé

2. I want to know my health status

One can only improve that which can be measured.
What are the steps that will allow me to know my status, and whether or not my lifestyle contributes positively to my heath?

3. I want to set a goal

• Increasing my desire
• Increasing and controlling my pleasure
• Improving my erection
• Improving my Health Score

4. I want to create a personalised approach

To improve your sexual health, the Pharmacie Principale has 12 suggestions. We recommend that you choose the 3 that you find relevant and easy to implement, and start them today. The following suggestions are for your information. They are not intended to replace a consultation with your doctor.

1. I will talk to my partner
2. I will become better informed by purchasing a book on sex
3. If there is a problem, I will talk to my doctor (general practitioner, gynaecologist, urologist, sexologist)
4. I will ask my pharmacist if my medication may be lowering my desire
5. I will explore my body, looking for erogenous zones and pleasure with stimulators
6. I will exercise to better control my perineum and my orgasms
7. I will perform breathing and relaxation exercises to manage my stress and my ejaculation
8. I will improve my diet to feel better, lose weight and feel desirable
9. I will exercise in a way that I enjoy and that makes me feel good three times per week
10. I will sleep more
11. I will reduce my consumption of tobacco and alcohol
12. I will turn off my TV and my smartphone in bed

5. I want to be walked through every step

How can we help you improve your health?

Based on your Health Audit results, we recommend:

• Express advice offered in one of our 8 pharmacies in Geneva and Chavannes (walk-in service)
• A 30-minute interview (costing CHF 30.-, with the first 10 minutes free) in the dispensary of the Pharmacie Principale at 7, rue de Coutance to analyse your PP Health Audit results and help you develop a real health strategy

So that we can respond to your support request in a personalised manner, please click the following link: I want assistance, and complete our contact form.

6. I just want to buy a product that will be good for me

To improve one's sexual health, in addition to improving one's overall health and Health Score, one has to know and love one's body, discover where one finds pleasure and how to stimulate it.

Targeted, quality products such as lubricants, massage oils, stimulators and vibrating rings often facilitate the process, and can add a level of fun.

The figure above shows the main types of products and accessories we offer to suit your needs or expectations. Take the time to click on each product to better know and understand its use and function.

You can get all our products for sexual health in our 8 pharmacies in Geneva and Chavannes. We suggest you print this picture, circle the products that interest you, and bring it to the prescription counter where it will be treated as an order. Our staff will find the desired product for you and hand it to you in discreet packaging.

If necessary, ask to speak to our sexual health specialist for further details on how to operate and use the product.

7. I want to track and manage my health progress

For several years, Pharmacie Principale has developed an approach to manage and improve health capital called the PP Health Audit. This approach was originally developed primarily for our pharmacists. We have now made it available to our customers who want to optimise the management of their health online.

In 10 minutes, using your answers to the questionnaire, the PP Health Audit gives you a PP Health Score. Your score consists of 10 key health indicators that you can control and improve, either on your own, or with the assistance of a professional.

Among the key indicators, there are 7 test results that you probably have in your medical records. If you do not have them, you can have the tests done for only CHF 30.- at our partner lab, Dianalabs (no appointment is necessary).

The goal is to gradually bring your Health Score up to 100%, because this means that you are doing everything in your power to be and remain healthy.

We recommend performing the PP Health Audit at least once a year.

To take or retake the PP Health Audit click on the following link: http://www.auditsante.ch/

Many professionals focus on disease. Since 1912, the Pharmacie Principale has been focusing on your health.
Thank you for your trust. – JPh Toledo