Talking about Your Sexual Health with a Health Care Provider

Would be easier if we didn’t have to be naked when we do! Sexual health experts Martha Kempner and Logan Levkoff help you learn how to “own your awkwardness” and get the care you need.

Why is it so hard to talk to a health care provider about sexual health?

If you’re a sexually active person— or even if you’re not right now—you probably have questions about your sexual health. Like, should I be tested for STIs? Which ones? Or what are my options for preventing pregnancy? You also might have questions about your libido and why it’s so low…or so high, and whether that’s normal. Or why sex is painful, or getting an erection is so difficult. It’s not always easy to bring these topics up, and it may not be clear exactly what questions you should be asking about your sexual health.

So how do you overcome your own hesitancy or embarrassment and start that conversation with your health care provider? That’s what we’re talking about today on this episode of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast. To help us out with this conversation we have two sexual health experts—Martha Kempner and Logan Levkoff.

Martha Kempner, MA

Martha has over 20 years of experience as a sexuality educator and writer. She writes about sexual behavior, contraception, STDs, and is the co-author, with Pepper Schwartz, of the book 50 Great Myths of Human Sexuality. She also writes the weekly newsletter Sex on Wednesday, a must read for sex educators, parents trying to raise sexually healthy kids, and anyone who just wants to know what’s going on in sex. You can subscribe to Sex on Wednesday on Substack.

Logan Levkoff, PhD

Logan is an AASECT Certified Sex Educator and internationally recognized expert on sexuality and relationships who has appeared on The Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Oprah, and CNN. She was also the sexuality expert for the first three seasons of the A&E series Married at First Sight. Logan is the author of several books, including Got Teens? The Doctor Moms’ Guide to Sexuality, Social Media, and Other Adolescent Realities with Dr. Jennifer Wider and Third Base Ain't What It Used to Be: What Your Kids Are Learning About Sex Today—and How to Teach Them to Become Sexually Healthy Adults.

You can watch the conversation above or you can listen below. This episode is part of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast, which features interviews with medical professionals and experts in the field of sexuality with the goal of helping people take charge of their sexual health and understand its importance to overall well being.

More to Explore

Sex and Relationships

Many people confuse love, commitment, and sex, or assume the three always go hand-in-hand. There are many ways to express love, and you don’t need to have sex with someone to show them you love them.

Menopause and Sexual Health

Despite negative stereotypes, as well as some actual difficulties women can face during this time, many women report that once they’ve reached menopause they feel more confidant, stronger, and energized than they did before.

What Is Sexual Health?

Sexual health is the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. It is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Learn more about what being sexually healthy means.

Celebrate the Start of #safesexysummer in June

It's time to celebrate the start of summer! June is filled with national observances to help you start the summer off right. We're here to help make June the start of a #safesexysummer.

Learn about Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy

Sexual anatomy typically refers to the both the external sexual organs, like the vulva and penis, and the internal organs involved in reproduction, like the uterus and seminal vesicle. Learn about this part of the body and how it works.

Learn about Sexual Health

There are many things that fall under the sexual health umbrella—reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, relationships, gender expression, and so much more.