2023-11-16 10:48:19
Specialist conference by Aids Hilfe Vienna and the Vienna Program for Women’s Health brings doctors and health workers on board
Vienna (OTS) – Aids Hilfe Vienna and the Vienna Program for Women’s Health (MA24) bring together doctors and health care professionals to focus on sexual health. Talking openly about sexual needs, problems and fears is difficult for many people – be it in private or in conversations with health professionals. A specialist conference on December 1st, World AIDS Day, entitled “Want to Talk: Sexuality and Intimacy in the Context of Physical and Mental Health.”“ in the Floridsdorf Clinic encourages exchange through specialist lectures. At a press conference on November 16th, some project partners provided information about the importance of the conference, which problems surrounding the topic of sexual health should receive more attention in the public discourse and what is specifically needed to bring about sustainable changes in this area.
The problem with the taboo
Sexuality is a basic need and form of expression for many people. However, talking openly about sexual needs, problems and fears is often difficult – be it in private or in conversations with experts such as doctors, psychotherapists and psychologists. But: sexual health is inextricably linked to well-being and quality of life. For over 20 years, the WHO has been calling for sexual health to be seen as part of general health. Last year, Aids Hilfe Vienna started the campaign with the support of the umbrella organization of social insurance providers Feel like talking. Together for sexual health! In 2023, the focus of the campaign will be on information and training for gynecologists regarding the interactions between sexual health and chronic, gynecological and mental illnesses. This includes the creation of videos in cooperation with the Vienna Program for Women’s Health and the expansion of the website www.lustaufreden.at about chronic illnesses, as well as the organization of a specialist conference.
Shedding light on sexual health on World AIDS Day
It is no coincidence that the specialist conference is taking place on World AIDS Day, as Aids Hilfe Vienna believes that it is particularly important to talk about sexual health on this day Mag.a Andrea Brunner, Managing Director of Aids Hilfe Vienna in today’s press conference: “When talking about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, it is necessary to also talk about sexual health.” And: sexual health requires a positive and respectful attitude towards sexuality and sexual relationships, so it’s not just about the absence of illness. It is therefore important for Aids Hilfe Vienna to create safe spaces to talk about needs and problems, but also to provide information: “Especially for people who live with HIV – a now chronic disease – their sexual lives often change even today. But that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case: with new prevention methods such as ‘Treatment as Prevention’ or HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, transmission of HIV can be almost completely ruled out. What we often still experience is (self-)stigmatization and exclusion. “It is therefore particularly important for Aids Hilfe Vienna on World AIDS Day to address the sexual health of people living with HIV, but also to shed light on sexuality from different perspectives.”
Left alone with sexual problems
Female sexual self-determination is an important aspect of sexual health. This also means being allowed to talk about difficult emotions or problems such as physical limitations in connection with sexuality and intimacy. Unfortunately, this is far too rarely the case. Women who are unsure about their sexuality or who are experiencing difficulties or changes due to a chronic illness need support and should be well informed, emphasized Mag.a Kristina Hametner, the head of the Vienna Office for Women’s Health and Health Goals in today’s press conference. She particularly emphasized: “Female sexuality in particular is still heavily laden with taboos, especially in connection with illness. Studies show that women in the healthcare system want to be asked about their sexuality and intimacy issues. But this happens far too rarely. Anyone who is in pain or suffers from insecurity should receive competent advice in a safe environment without embarrassment. We want to support women to talk freely and confidently about their needs.”
The Vienna Program for Women’s Health therefore supports the Aids Hilfe Vienna campaign, which makes a significant contribution to ensuring that sexual health is taken into account not only in the general population, but also in everyday medical practice. Mag.a Hametner was particularly pleased “that we – together with Aids Hilfe Vienna – are organizing a specialist conference. On World AIDS Day, December 1st, we are creating an opportunity to teach physicians and health professionals how intertwined general health is with sexual health through lectures and workshops.”
Sexual history as an opportunity – Why a focus on gynecologists?
Personal well-being – also in the area of sexuality – is important for health. Lack of sexual health or satisfaction are factors for many other illnesses, be they psychological or physical. In their daily work, doctors see that dissatisfaction is increasing rapidly, especially among young people. What can be observed are unrealistic expectations of personal resources and a constantly increasing pressure to perform.
It is primarily gynecologists who regularly talk to women about intimate topics. It would make sense to also address sexuality and sexual health, for example through a detailed sexual history. However, there is often not enough time for this because the focus of the fees is still on medical-technical services rather than on conversational medicine.
In this regard, Mr. Dr. emphasized Georg Braune, chairman of the specialist group for gynecology and obstetrics at the Vienna Medical Association in today’s press conference: “Gynecologists are one of the most important contact points for women and have a trusting relationship with them. We know that gynecological diseases can affect sexuality and well-being and we also talk about other diseases with our patients – so why not about sexual health too? A detailed, standard sexual history could help bring sexual health out of the taboo zone and normalize it. It is therefore particularly important to the Vienna Medical Association to support the information brochure and further training for gynecologists and of course the specialist conference. It would also be desirable for social insurance to recognize the relevance of these discussions and provide appropriate support so that we can also offer our patients this medical care!”
Sexuality, the underestimated health resource
Univ.Prof.in.Dr.in Michaela Bayerle-Eder, President of the Austrian Society for the Promotion of Sexual Medicine and Sexual Health (ÖGFSSG) and specialist in internal medicine emphasized in today’s press conference that up to 130,000 women in Vienna and 600,000 women across Austria aged 40 to 64 suffer from sexual dysfunction, which has a negative impact on their quality of life. On the other hand, sexually healthy people lead longer and more productive lives, they are more able to work and are less prone to illness, which ultimately leads to lower health care costs. Another important point she mentioned was that sexual health has been anchored in the WHO definition of health since 2006. She referred to the resulting obligation for all medical professionals, according to which sexual function must be viewed as an essential component of maintaining health and must be “treated” accordingly or taken into account as part of medical interventions to maintain sexual health. According to Dr. Bayerle-Eder, this obligation should be consistently implemented in all medical areas.
Furthermore, Dr. Bayerle-Eder emphasized the need for sexual medicine consultation services to be billable to doctors, provided they have completed appropriate certified training as medical consultants. She said: “Sexual medicine must not only become socially acceptable, but also affordable.”
Chronically ill and older people in particular have needs for closeness and sexuality: a fact that is often ignored or simply forgotten. It is therefore important to talk about sexual health because sexuality and touch have a positive effect on recovery, it was shown Dr. in Bayerle-Eder, convinced: “My appeal is: Talk about it, because sexual dysfunction can indicate illness and sexuality can have positive effects on health and healing!”
Specialist conference puts sexual health in the spotlight
On December 1st, World AIDS Day, Aids Hilfe Wien, together with the Vienna Program for Women’s Health (MA24), is organizing a specialist conference at the Floridsdorf Clinic on the topic “Feel like talking. Sexuality and intimacy in the context of physical and mental health.” The aim of this specialist conference is to educate doctors and health professionals about the interaction between sexual health in HIV, STIs, chronic, gynecological and mental illnesses and to encourage exchange.
Specific focal points are:
- Living and loving with HIV and STIs (sexually transmitted diseases)
- Maintaining good sexuality in chronic illnesses
- Ways to shape conversations about sexuality with patients
The specialist conference is organized by the Vienna Office for Women’s Health and Health Goals and Aids Hilfe Vienna – in cooperation with the Vienna Health Association and the Vienna Medical Association.
The conference will take place on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the event center of the Floridsdorf Clinic.
Questions & Contact:
AIDS Help Vienna
Juliana Metyko-Papousek, BA
+43(0)1/59937-82 /
metico@aids-hilfe-wien.at
1700131875
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