#Sexualhealth

A bold call for $1.4 billion in emergency funding to provide sexual and reproductive health services for over 45 million people living in crisis-affected countries has been issued, underscoring the acute challenges faced by women and girls amid escalating global crises. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched this appeal as part of its effort to address an urgent resource gap that is putting lives at risk, with a specific focus on life-saving reproductive health care and programs to prevent gender-based violence (UN News).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a comprehensive new guideline aimed at significantly reducing adolescent pregnancies and improving the overall health and well-being of girls worldwide—a move that holds substantial relevance for Thailand and the broader region. The updated recommendations, announced in April 2025, target several root causes of early pregnancies, with a strong emphasis on preventing child marriage, extending girls’ access to education, and strengthening adolescent-friendly health services. These actions, according to the WHO, must be top priorities for governments and civil society striving to improve outcomes for young women.

A new international research protocol is shining a spotlight on a long-neglected aspect of patient care: the sexual health, well-being, and pleasure of individuals living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). By proposing a sweeping review of global literature and lived experiences, this initiative aims to address both the clinical and societal fatigue around topics of intimacy for millions affected worldwide—a conversation now increasingly relevant to Thai patients and families seeking holistic chronic disease management [source: Wiley Online Library].

A University of Toronto researcher is calling renewed attention to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of women’s health: the impact of hysterectomy type on post-operative sexual wellbeing. Recent work suggests the decision between radical and simple hysterectomy—two procedures used primarily in the treatment of uterine and cervical cancers—has profound implications not only for cancer control but also for the long-term quality of life, including sexual health, for women worldwide, including those in Thailand.

A new focus in cancer care is emerging, shining a light on an often neglected aspect of patient well-being: sexual health. Recent discussions among medical professionals highlight that, while cancer treatments have advanced and survival rates are improving, the sexual health needs of patients are still frequently overlooked in both research and clinical practice. This oversight has a profound impact on quality of life and recovery, underscoring an urgent need for change in patient care protocols around the world—including Thailand, where taboos around sexual health and limited support services persist.

As global efforts intensify to destigmatize men’s sexual health, the latest research and advocacy underscore the urgent need for open dialogue—challenging outdated expectations and transforming silent suffering into collective well-being. This movement toward normalization is rapidly gaining ground, with far-reaching implications for Thai society where traditional views on masculinity persist.

Men’s health has long encompassed more than just the physical; mental and emotional well-being are increasingly recognized as critical. Yet, across the world, men statistically have a shorter life expectancy than women due in large part to heart disease, diabetes, mental health disorders, and cancer, with underlying causes being intertwined lifestyle choices and social barriers. Reluctance among men to seek preventative care or address issues early is often tied not only to the stigma of vulnerability, but also misinformation and societal attitudes that equate open discussion with weakness (Life & Style, 2025).

For many people, the relationship with their doctor is one of trust and vulnerability—especially when it comes to sexual health. Yet recent personal narratives and research highlight that changing healthcare providers, particularly gynecologists, can be an act of self-empowerment that leads to better sexual health outcomes. This trend, spotlighted by a widely shared article titled “Firing My Gynecologist Was Good for My Sexual Health” on TheBody.com, underlines a growing movement where patients prioritize their own wellbeing and dignity over tradition or habit.

Menopause, often viewed as a period of decline in women’s health and relationships, is being re-examined in light of recent research and expert perspectives. Contrary to long-standing myths, the latest findings suggest that menopause can mark the beginning of a renewed journey in intimacy and wellness, encouraging women to embrace this life stage with confidence and proactive self-care. These insights, showcased in an influential op-ed recently published by a wellness advocate in South Africa, have resonated globally, including among Thai health professionals and women’s rights advocates.

The quiet streets of Berkshire, England, have recently become the unlikely front lines in the fight against HIV thanks to an innovative pop-up sexual health van. Since its rollout in July 2024, the Florey Clinic’s mobile unit has seen a remarkable surge in HIV testing, with about 75% of those tested never having previously sought an HIV test, according to a BBC News report (source: BBC News Berkshire). As community health leaders race to meet the United Kingdom’s goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, this grassroots success is drawing attention not just in the UK but globally—including among Thai health authorities and advocates eyeing similar strategies.

Recent research and expert statements have highlighted an often silent struggle faced by cancer patients worldwide—including here in Thailand: the significant unmet need for sexual health support during and after cancer treatment. As treatments improve and survival rates rise, the quality of life, especially intimate wellbeing, has emerged as an urgent concern for many survivors and their families. Medical professionals from the Cleveland Clinic and Thai academic circles now urge healthcare providers, patients, and policy-makers to recognize sexual health as an integral part of cancer care—one that is too often neglected, misunderstood, or left unaddressed (Cleveland Clinic, 2024; J Med Assoc Thai PDF).

A groundbreaking discussion at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is reshaping what it means to survive breast cancer, casting a long-overdue spotlight on taboo topics from sexual health to holistic supplements and daily habits. The latest research—summarized in a special session fantastically dubbed “Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll”—highlights not only new scientific findings, but emphasizes the urgent need for open, stigma-free conversations between breast cancer survivors, their families, and the medical community. For Thai survivors and their families who may face culture-specific taboos around sexuality and alternative medicine, these global insights are particularly relevant—and potentially life changing.

A growing body of research and advocacy is bringing overdue attention to men’s sexual health, highlighting the urgent need to address stigma, accessibility, and education not just in Western societies but across Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific region. An article published in The Michigan Daily argues that framing reproductive and sexual health primarily as a “women’s issue” has left men out of vital conversations around safety, education, and disease prevention—contributing to a quiet crisis with repercussions for personal and public health alike (Michigan Daily).

For decades, millions of women in Thailand and around the world have relied on birth control pills (“ยาคุมกำเนิด”) not just to prevent pregnancy, but also to help manage acne, painful periods, and hormonal imbalances. But as more young Thais engage in open conversations about relationships and sexuality, an intriguing urban legend has gained traction online: could the pill secretly shape not just your menstrual cycle, but also your feelings towards your romantic partner? Recent expert commentary and scientific research—together with lived experiences—shed light on whether hormonal contraceptives can actually influence who you find attractive or even cause you to fall “out of love” with your partner.

A groundbreaking participatory research study in Nepal is reshaping the conversation on adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), offering valuable lessons for the region—including Thailand—as countries strive to empower young people to make informed choices about their bodies. The study, published by the Brookings Institution, underscores how schools can serve as crucial spaces for strengthening girls’ agency and equipping them with the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for their SRHR in the face of cultural taboos and misinformation (Brookings, 2025).

A growing digital crisis is sweeping across the United States and capturing global attention: the rise of pornography addiction and its complex impact on mental health and social wellbeing. Recent research, echoed in an April 2025 report by WWMT in Michigan, highlights how excessive consumption of online pornography is not just a matter of individual choice—it is evolving into a public health concern with serious personal and societal consequences. The phenomenon is increasingly relevant in Thailand, where digital access is rapidly expanding and patterns of media consumption mirror global trends.

A major international study is rewriting the script on treating bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common yet often overlooked vaginal infection that impacts one in three women worldwide, including many in Thailand. Latest research reveals that to truly tackle BV and prevent its frustratingly frequent return, it’s not enough to just treat the women affected—their male sexual partners should be treated too. The landmark findings challenge decades of medical dogma and offer hope for the millions of women who have endured repeated, uncomfortable cycles of this stubborn infection (New York Times; NEJM).

A recent report by The Guardian has drawn attention to a dramatic surge in syphilis cases in the United States, a public health crisis made worse by a decision during the Trump administration to shutter a key federal Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) laboratory within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The Guardian. This controversial move, now under sharp scrutiny, has come at a pivotal moment as syphilis infections in the US hit record highs. For Thailand, this development is a stark warning of the critical importance of sustained investment in public health infrastructure—and offers valuable insights into local disease prevention strategies.

The latest research and expert commentary are bringing renewed attention to the hidden risks lurking within popular hair loss treatments—most notably the sexual side effects linked to medications like finasteride and dutasteride. Medical columns and international news outlets have recently spotlighted that while these drugs, which block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and thus reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), remain effective for combating hair loss, they may also come with lingering consequences for men’s sexual health that are often underestimated by both patients and prescribers (The Detroit News).

A new research report has found that students who use dating apps are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, raising concerns among educators and health professionals about a hidden danger in the digital age of romance. The study, highlighted by Frontiers in November 2024, adds fresh urgency to Thailand’s ongoing efforts to improve sexual health education and digital literacy among young people Frontiers in Public Health.

With dating apps becoming an integral part of modern student social life, especially in university settings across Thailand and globally, this news holds significant implications. Thai students are among the world’s most digitally connected, with Gen Z leading trends in smartphone and app usage. Yet, with greater access to platforms that facilitate rapid connections often come greater health risks, including unprotected sex, multiple partners, and a higher likelihood of encountering sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the new research, these risks are statistically higher among students active on dating apps.

Seeking ways to enhance intimacy, more Thais are exploring the role of dietary supplements in improving sexual health. According to a recent article published by EatingWell, health experts have identified four notable supplements—vitamin D, ashwagandha, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and L-arginine—as potential boosters for libido and sexual function. As Thailand, like much of the world, experiences increased conversation about sexual wellness and holistic health, understanding the evidence and context around these supplements is especially timely (EatingWell).