The Six Principles of Sexual Health establish universal guidelines for cultivating a healthy sexual life.
These principles offer a foundation for balancing sexual safety and pleasure while upholding sexual rights. They encourage individuals to define their own personal vision of sexual health and aspire to live in a way that fosters self-respect, supports loved ones, and contributes positively to society. This framework serves as a lifelong guide to improving and maintaining sexual health.
Developed in collaboration with WHO (World Health Organization), Michael Vigorito, and Doug Braun-Harvey
Consent
Nonexploitation
Honesty
Shared Values
Prevention from Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI’s)
Pleasure
Let’s take a look at each one of the Six Sexual Health Principles and what they mean. Are these principles something you are already using in your practice?
The Six Principles of Sexual Health: Consent
The most universal sexual health principle on the planet is consent.
Consent, defined as "voluntary cooperation," is a universal principle that ensures sexual interactions are rooted in mutual agreement and respect. It transforms sex from a potential violation into an act of mutual transformation and intimacy. While definitions and legalities surrounding consent vary across cultures, religions, and laws, its essence lies in providing safety and pleasure aligned with each partner's desires. Establishing consent creates a space where partners can willingly embrace experiences that bring satisfaction and emotional connection, ensuring sexual encounters are empowering and consensual.
The Six Principles of Sexual Health: Non-Exploitation
Sexual exploitation occurs when someone with more power manipulates a power imbalance to fulfill their desires, often at the expense of the other person’s autonomy and consent. This behavior can escalate into non-consensual and violent acts when exploitation fails to achieve the desired outcome. Exploitation undermines consent by placing individuals in compromising positions where refusing may lead to greater harm, especially when cognitive impairment or intoxication is involved. In relationships, exploitation can manifest as infidelity or betrayal, where trust is manipulated or disregarded for personal gain. Ethical sexual behavior requires respecting boundaries and ensuring that all interactions are consensual, free from manipulation, and grounded in mutual respect.
The Six Principles of Sexual Health: Honesty
Honesty is vital for healthy sexual relationships, requiring open communication with oneself and partners. It involves embracing sexual pleasure, experiences, and education while fostering effective dialogue about gender and relationship diversity. Upholding honesty ensures that communication supports trust, respect, and adherence to sexual health principles. Each individual is responsible for defining their own standards of honesty in relationships and with their community, including medical providers. For caregivers, responding calmly and appreciatively to children’s questions about sexuality can teach them the value of honest conversations, a lesson that benefits their understanding and growth throughout life.
The Six Principles of Sexual Health: Shared Values
Sexual values guide our decisions around relationships, sexual activity, and personal identity. Unlike other species, humans engage in reflective conversations about when and how to explore sexuality, often influenced by cultural, religious, or societal norms, such as the concept of “losing one’s virginity.” Building a sexual values system starts in childhood, yet many young people lack supportive adults to help them navigate these important topics. Values provide a framework for identifying sexual ethics and standards, shaping motivations for intimacy. For partners, openly sharing values can foster deeper connections or reveal differences that spark necessary and clarifying conversations.
The Six Principles of Sexual Health: Prevention from Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI’s)
Everyone has a unique relationship with sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) and unplanned pregnancies. Whether actively taking precautions to prevent bacterial STIs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Syphilis, living with conditions such as hepatitis B, herpes (HSV), HIV, or HPV, or navigating testing after exposure, it’s essential to understand your current status and take informed steps toward prevention and management.
Similarly, unplanned and unwanted pregnancies affect people differently, shaped by personal experiences and family history. Contraception plans, communication, and shared responsibility play crucial roles in addressing this issue. For individuals with sperm, revisiting their role in pregnancy prevention—such as controlling sperm release—can shift the burden often placed on those with ovaries. Understanding these dynamics fosters informed choices and healthier relationships with sexual and reproductive well-being.
The Six Principles of Sexual Health: Pleasure
Pleasure is a fundamental driver of both solo sexual activity, like masturbation, and the exchange of intimacy between partners. However, what brings sexual pleasure can sometimes conflict with societal expectations or personal identities. For example, individuals may experience fulfillment through erotic exploration that doesn’t align with their public identity, leading to internal or external judgments about their desires.
Adolescents exploring sexual pleasure often face stigma and avoidance from adults who prioritize their own values over open communication. This reluctance to engage in honest, judgment-free discussions leaves many young people without accurate information or support. Across all stages of life, from youth to old age, sexual health involves balancing safety and responsibility with an evolving curiosity about pleasure. Embracing this balance fosters a healthy understanding of one's desires and the ever-changing sources of fulfillment.
Putting the Principles into Practice
Understanding the Six Principles of Sexual Health is just the beginning. Applying them in your daily life—whether in personal reflection, relationships, or professional work—can lead to deeper connection, greater confidence, and a more fulfilling sexual experience. These principles are not rigid rules but guiding values that evolve with you. Here’s an example of how the Six Sexual Health Principles might be put into practice.
A certified sex therapist might use the Six Principles of Sexual Health as a foundational framework when working with clients navigating sexual concerns. For example, if a couple comes in struggling with mismatched libidos, the therapist could guide the conversation through each principle:
Consent: Ensuring both partners feel empowered to say yes or no without pressure.
Nonexploitation: Identifying any power dynamics that may be affecting one partner’s ability to advocate for their needs.
Honesty: Encouraging open dialogue about desires, expectations, and fears in a nonjudgmental setting.
Shared Values: Helping the couple explore what intimacy means to each of them and where their values align or differ.
Prevention of STBBIs: Discussing safe sex practices, testing, and how to maintain sexual health, especially if opening the relationship is considered.
Pleasure: Reframing the conversation to center not just on performance or frequency, but on mutual satisfaction and curiosity.
By weaving these principles into their sessions, the therapist creates a holistic, values-based approach that supports both individual and relational growth.
Whether you’re exploring your identity, supporting clients, or fostering inclusive conversations, the framework developed by Michael Vigorito and Doug Braun-Harvey, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, offers a powerful, human-centered roadmap for lifelong sexual wellness. Use these principles not just as goals, but as tools for transformation.
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