8 Ways to Improve Your Sexual Health and Wellbeing
Written by Megan Marshall. Reviewed by the JulieMay product and garment-tech team.
Quick answer: Sexual health is about your body, mind and relationships working together, not just avoiding STIs or reproduction. Eight research-backed ways to support it: start honest conversations, prioritise preventive care, move your body (including pelvic-floor exercises), manage stress, eat well, use tools like lubricants and comfortable lingerie, address medical and hormonal factors, and treat sexual health as lifelong.
When most people hear the phrase sexual health, their minds jump straight to reproduction or avoiding STIs. While these are important, they're only part of the story. Sexual health is about the whole package: your body, mind and relationships working together so you can feel your best. Society still tends to make this topic taboo, yet nearly half of women experience sexual concerns. The good news? There are simple, research-backed ways to support your sexual health at every stage of life.
1. Start the conversation
Your partner is not a mind reader. Open communication is the bedrock of intimacy and satisfaction. Start small with a quick check-in about what felt good, a playful suggestion, or a gentle let's pause here. This honesty applies outside the bedroom too: bringing your questions to your healthcare provider is just as important.
2. Prioritise preventive care
Most women should see their provider at least once a year for a well-woman check. Regular cervical screening and STI tests catch issues early, but don't wait if something feels off, as the Mayo Clinic notes that abnormal bleeding, new pain during sex, unusual discharge or a sudden drop in libido are reasons to book sooner.
3. Support your body with movement
Research shows as little as three sessions of vigorous activity a week can make a noticeable difference to libido. Walk, do yoga, or try pelvic-floor (Kegel) exercises, which can improve sexual fitness and intensify orgasms.
4. Manage stress and mental health
According to medical experts, anxiety and stress have a big impact on libido. Relaxation techniques like mindfulness and breathing exercises help you reconnect with your body. Emotional health and sexual health are a package deal.
5. Nourish your sexual health through food
Certain foods and herbs, ginseng, saffron, maca and fenugreek, show some promise for desire, while classic boosters like oysters and chocolate are more folklore than fact. Steer clear of dangerous aphrodisiacs like yohimbine or Spanish fly.
6. Use tools that work for you
Lubricants are an easy fix for dryness, and wearing lingerie that makes you feel beautiful helps too. The Elysia Front Closure Bra is made from silk and organic cotton, with adjustable straps that won't irritate your skin.
7. Address medical and hormonal factors
Sometimes changes aren't about stress, it's biology. Menopause, postpartum changes or certain medications can affect libido. Skip the Dr Google route and always talk with a trusted healthcare provider.
8. Reframe sexual health as lifelong
From adolescence to postmenopause, your needs and desires change, and that's okay. Research finds many people report connection and pleasure growing richer with time, thanks to better communication and stronger emotional maturity.
Please note: this article is for general information and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Speak to your GP or sexual health clinic about any concerns or before starting supplements or treatments.
Why is sex still taboo?
Sex, that great big word that either makes us giggle in glee or shy away in embarrassment. Why does it carry such weight for women and our freedom to enjoy it, express concerns about it, or simply avoid it? Historically, sex was a functional duty for many women; today, for many of us, it brings pleasure and connection, yet many people still feel dread when the topic comes up.
The idea that sex is dirty
From childhood, many of us weren't taught the realities of sex and were fear-mongered into thinking one encounter meant pregnancy or an STI, a hangover from purity culture. Sex education in schools was often wanting: heavy on contraception, light on human connection, consent and anatomy. For many, talking to parents was out of the question, leaving us to learn from friends who knew little more than we did.
Judgement of desire or prudishness
Society still conditions us to see women's bodies as objects of desire, yet tells us not to flaunt ourselves indecently. Women are penalised for showing nipples or for breastfeeding in public, while men display bare chests freely, and if we cover up entirely, we're considered prudes. We deserve to choose how we present to the world. JulieMay asks women what makes you feel beautiful and encourages wearing what makes you feel comfortable.
Medical support and shame
Women were not included in clinical studies by law until 1993, so much historical medical research doesn't relate to female anatomy. Medical surveys found up to 84% of female respondents felt their concerns weren't listened to, especially in maternity care. We are not perfect malleable sex dolls. We are living, breathing, courageous people, slowly ground down to think we shouldn't have desires or talk about our sex life. We can change that by giving each other a safe space to talk. With bountiful boldness, Aunt Julie x
Frequently asked questions
What does sexual health actually mean?
It's the whole picture of your physical, emotional and relational wellbeing around sex and intimacy, not just avoiding STIs or reproduction, but comfort, desire, communication and confidence.
How can I naturally improve my libido?
Communicate openly, manage stress, move regularly (including pelvic-floor exercises), sleep well and eat a balanced diet, and rule out medical or hormonal causes with your GP.
Why is talking about sex still taboo for so many women?
A mix of purity culture, patchy sex education and decades of double standards has taught many women that desire is something to hide. Naming that history is the first step to letting it go.
Why do women often feel unheard by doctors?
Women were excluded by law from many clinical trials until 1993, so a lot of medical knowledge was built around male bodies. If you feel dismissed, it's reasonable to ask again or seek a second opinion.
Last updated: June 2026.
