Assessing your sexual wellness: a simple guide

Whether you're at the beginning of exploring your sexual wellness, or well on your way with your journey, it's important to take the time to check in and take a mini assessment on where you are and how you're feeling.

This check in is helpful for a variety of reasons. It can help give you a checkpoint to see how far you've come. Remind you of things you want to work on. Or even throw up some unexpected thoughts or feelings you want to explore. 

And like any good journey in life, it's always fun to look at where you've come from and where you want to go.

So let's break it down on 5 ways to assess where you are on your sexual wellness journey

What is sexual wellness?

First things first, let's quickly recap what sexual wellness is. 

There's a few different definitions floating about, but for us here at Knude it's building a relationship with your body that's satisfying and long-lasting, understanding your desires and boundaries, and nurturing relationships that benefit this.


4 steps to assess your sexual wellness

1. Reflect on your feelings about your body

We know we're starting with a doozy here, but trust us. We rarely take real time to think about how we feel in our own skin. Most of the time it's fleeting thoughts of positivity, and then spiralling thoughts of negativity. 

Acknowledge them, explore them. Taking time to really think and lean into the positive. The body parts don't need to be specific to anyone but you. Or be part of your erogenous zones. 

Then take the time to question your negativity, remembering that your body serves you. It deserves compassion and love. 

Taking the steps to do this can help boost your confidence in your own skin, enhancing how you view it when you're masturbating or enjoying that one on one time with your partners. 

2. Evaluate your sexual experiences

No, it doesn't have to be out of 10. But if that helps your mind go for it!

What we're really talking about here is if they were enjoyable and fulfilling. Did you feel listened to? Respected? Were there certain things your partner/s did that surprised you? Or that, on reflection, you wished had been different?

Reflecting on these can help you identify what's working for you and what's not. 

3. Communication check

How are you currently communicating with your partners about sex? Do you have space to openly talk about your pleasure? Do you feel comfortable or anxious doing so?

If you're only trying one way, think about how you can open up the conversation differently. Using phrases like "I like" to bring the focus on to your pleasure. Or ask your partner when would be good for them to chat about your intimacy too. As they may have thoughts of their own!

4. Assess your relationships

This goes hand in hand with communication. But take the time to really reflect on how these relationships are contributing positively or negatively to your sexual wellness. 

Sometimes we do things or keep relationships out of habit, not realising they're not serving us anymore. Healthy relationships should empower you to feel confident in your sexuality and foster and sense of trust that only enhances intimacy. 

5. Educate yourself

Never looked at your vulva before? Grab a mirror! 

Not entirely sure what period cramps are? Let's google it. 

You're not alone.

Knowledge is so powerful when it comes to sexual wellness. From knowing ourselves to knowing the world around us. It's important we're always open to learning and expanding.

Don't feel silly or ignorant. Instead feel empowered to go out and learn.