While sexuality has been proven to have a direct link to overall well-being and happiness, many Singaporeans are far too shy to discuss unaddressed sexual health issues in public. And it’s not like every child has a parent like Jacelyn Tay who made news in 2022 for her candid conversations with her son about sex. So since Valentine’s Day is coming up, it’s an opportune moment to open up conversations about these topics.
Some misconceptions about sexual health include aging and gender stereotypes that many think do not affect them because they are male/female, or too young/old. Here are some of the most common sexual health concerns frequently raised by Singaporeans:
Misconception 1: HPV Vaccines Are Only For Females
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus, a common virus that can infect many parts of the body in both males and females. HPV vaccination significantly reduces a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers for women in Singapore. However, many are unaware that men may also carry contract anal or penile cancer from HPV. About 40 HPV types can infect the genital area and low-risk types can cause genital warts and also affect the fingers, hands, mouth, throat and face.
Family physician Dr Teo Cheng Rong says: ”Vaccinating both men and women will help in increasing overall herd immunity and better public health. Protecting yourself and others is a shared responsibility that transcends gender. HPV vaccination is quite cost-effective, and quick to administer via 2 or 3 injections. In fact, gender-neutral vaccination against HPV is now widely recommended by various international guidelines and local consensus.”
Misconception 2: Low Risk of STI Means No STD
Although Singapore’s HIV/AIDS statistics have been steadily declining to less than 250 reported cases a year, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) leading to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are still common occurrences, with the top few in Singapore being Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Syphilis. STDs can be asymptomatic and cause long-term serious health complications, such as cancer, blindness, dementia, damage to heart, brain, eyes, kidneys, and bones.
Doctors advise routine STI checks even if one thinks they are at low risk. Bacterial STIs may be cured but many viral STIs are incurable (but can be managed well with treatment). Missed opportunity to screen and diagnose STDs early may also lead to repeated transmissions between partners. “I had a case of a male patient who came back for recurrent urinary tract infection symptoms that turned out to be concomitant infections with gonorrhoea and chlamydia,” recalled Dr Teo Cheng Rong. “Only after he sought treatment in the clinic that he realised his partner had been having similar symptoms as well, without seeking medical attention.”
Female patients with chlamydia or gonorrhoea infections may develop mild or even no symptoms but continue to infect their partners. Early treatment can not only prevent spread of STDs but also minimise the risk of more severe complications to vital organs such as the heart, eyes and liver and sometimes to protect the health of the unborn foetus.
Misconception 3: Seniors Do Not Need Intimacy
Intimacy is an integral part of ageing healthily, although many Singaporeans remain reticent and shy about their challenges with sexual issues. Many simply stop having sex or justify to themselves that aging causes physical changes that affect their sexuality and thus repress themselves. Erectile dysfunction affects more than half of males over 30, and this proportion increases with age. This means that at any one point in time, more than half of the male population is psychologically and physiologically affected, which affects overall mental and physical well-being for the average Singapore family.
“The misconception is that men think that they need to accept erectile dysfunction as part of growing older. However, erectile dysfunction is treatable,” says Dr Tan Yung Khan from UroHealth Medical Clinic. “Additionally, erectile dysfunction can be a warning sign of systematic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, making it important to address.”
On the flipside, older women face menopausal challenges that also affect their sexual health and these can be mitigated with appropriate treatments. Dr Ng Ying Woo, a gynaecologist from SBCC Women’s Clinic says, “With new understanding of menopausal issues and medical advances, we are better able to manage hormonal changes. Coupled with non-pharmacological strategies such as lifestyle adjustments and counselling support, navigating this milestone change in life can be much more manageable and pleasant.”
Normalising Sexual Health Conversations – The Path To A More Satisfied Life?
Sexual health is a growing concern among the doctors in Singapore who see an increasing number of working professionals and seniors who seek consultation only after suffering silently for years. “Sexual health, should not be stigmatised,” says Dr Zheng Zhimin from Nobel Psychological Wellness Centre.
“Just like exercising or dieting, it is an integral aspect of life that warrants increased awareness, education and meaningful discussions. Issues experienced in this area affect more people than you might expect. Sexual health, physical health, and mental health are all equally important in creating a holistic positive mind-body connection which can reduce stress levels and in turn reduce risks of anxiety and depression.”
