Breaking Taboos: Dr. Subodh Kumar Pokharel’s On Sexual Health, Relationships & Challenges

Sexual health, relationships, and reproductive health are important areas for health, but are not always discussed in conservative countries such as Nepal. Dr. Subodh Kumar Pokharel is an experienced sexologist in Nepal, with over 30 years of experience, who provides information, clears up misinformation, and guides people on many sexual and reproductive health issues, including fertility, contraceptive use, and practical sexual health awareness to inform people.

Dr. Pokharel shares his experiences in sexology, discussing the challenges he encounters with various sectors of society and his personal experiences. He touches on the gaps in sexual health awareness for adolescents, and also the need to obliterate myths with facts. He places great importance on sexual health awareness in the prevention of abuse and stigma.

He discusses the issues regarding the expansion of IVF centers and questions their true motives. He also provides practical tips and suggestions about contraception, cleanliness, and mental health to help improve sexual health awareness.

Historical Context and Societal Challenges in the Journey of Becoming a Sexologist

Dr. Subodh Pokharel shares his journey from the very remote Khartang area of Nepal, reflecting on his path through schooling, university education, and basic medical education in Nepal, culminating in the opportunity to study for an MBBS in Bangladesh with a scholarship. Dr. Pokharel has worked in many departments, focusing on emergency medicine, surgery, health programs, and as a specialist in sexual and reproductive health.

Dr. Pokharel reflects on how he encountered considerable struggles in sexology, a subject that people mostly see in negative, misconceived, and stigmatized ways at home and in society. He explains that resistance to sexual health as a specialty, stigmas and traditions, and lack of formal education toward a person’s sexual health awareness were all factors that contributed to these themes. Dr. Pokharel argues that we need to break down these barriers so we can reach acceptance and understanding within society.

Challenges in Reproductive Health & Sex Education: Relationships, Abuse Data, and Policy

Dr. Subodh highlights a significant issue with reproductive and sexual health awareness in Nepal. He explains that throughout the gap states, the overall learning and education process is fragmented. He continues stating that without reproductive education being taught in schools, children remain unrealistically ignorant of the matter.

He states that families tend to avoid the discussion of sexual health and provide strict warnings, which confuses adolescents. He emphasizes that reproductive health education is necessary.

Dr. Subodh states that around five percent of adolescent girls will experience abuse in other settings, which creates a significant mental health disaster. He mentions that we are taking action by creating awareness, counseling, and education now to support victims and stop abuse.

Dr. Subodh promotes a comprehensive and honest approach to sex education with an emphasis on how to approach talking about consent, thoughtful and emotional readiness, and healthy relationships. He explains that there is a lack of sex education in discussing consent, adolescent sexual behavior, including pornography addiction, and how peer pressures can drive choices.

Dr. Subodh mentions that intimacy in relationships is more about emotional connection, trust, and respect beyond just sexual intercourse. He further states that “sexual energy” is significant for human connections, and being satisfied is also critical to maximizing fulfillment and true happiness. He believes discussing intimacy (an area that needs more conversation) will help improve understanding of intimacy.

Dr. Subodh emphasizes the need for governments to devolve power to the private sector and communities, particularly in health and through education. He also spoke specifically about public-private partnerships that improve service delivery and about government stewardship and regulation to promote equitable access.

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Insights on Reproductive and Sexual Health Awareness, Challenges, and Perspectives

Dr. Subodh discusses the rise of IVF centers and acknowledges genuine infertility issues, particularly among younger women, but views this growth as a signal of the “business of infertility. ” He stresses the need for regulation and patient-focused care.

Dr. Subodh noted that, currently, government institutions in Nepal are challenged in the area of reproductive health, while the private sector appears to be getting more involved. Private institutions are becoming increasingly commercialized, while the private sector is subject to less oversight. We must strike a balance between protecting patients and ensuring fair access to care. To achieve this, we need to make it easy for government institutions to navigate our regulations while also maintaining a strong regulatory framework.

Dr. Subodh recognizes many explanations for infertility, including lifestyle and environmental effects. He wants to arrive at a holistic solution to counter fertility challenges, which includes medical and lifestyle modifications, but also public health solutions to address this ongoing challenge.

Dr. Subodh speaks about a man with healthy sperm, who signifies responsibility: taking care of himself, eating well, exercising regularly, and not using tobacco and alcohol. He said vitamins and minerals in the body may have the highest impact on sperm motility and sperm count.

Dr. Subodh describes the adverse effects of the modern way of living when it comes to health and relationships. He describes people’s burnout from working remotely, and concerning levels of stress from work and family interfering with their reproductive health. He also promotes the idea of living in the moment, or mindfulness, to turn the tide between technology and personal life.

How Biology Shapes Gender, Sperm Health & Pregnancy Timing

According to Dr. Subodh, our chromosomes hold information about how gender is determined. He explains that sperm carry either an X chromosome or a Y chromosome, and the eggs in the ovary carry an X chromosome. The combination of these two sets of chromosomes (XX = female, XY = male) creates an embryo and determines the baby’s gender.

He establishes that men produce millions of sperm and can release them with each ejaculation. Instead, women release an egg each cycle, summarizing that, if everything goes well, once per month (usually around the 14th day), an egg is released and has a fertilization/development window. He mentions that only one egg is produced monthly and has a set limit for fertilization to occur to conceive.

Dr. Subodh emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between sperm and semen to comprehend fertility and reproductive health.

He says that science indicates that intercourse near ovulation favors Y-bearing sperm when trying for boys, and intercourse several days earlier favors X-bearing sperm when trying for girls. Dr. Subodh mentions external factors, such as the Chinese calendar and Ayurveda, that bring cultural relevance, but states that medically, we are still looking into these factors, and that, primarily, genetics determines sex.

Beyond Physical Connection: Emotional Needs, Satisfaction & Relationship Dynamics:

Dr. Subodh states that people look for life partners for reasons beyond just companionship. Partners serve a necessary emotional need and a connection that is both physical and intimate. He believes that a life partner should supply emotional safety and trust. He explains that committed partnerships serve the mental and physical well-being of individuals through providing support and bonding.

Dr. Subodh explains intimacy satisfaction, arguing that it’s more than just intercourse. He emphasizes that it is the actual emotional closeness, trust, and communication between partners within the more significant relationship. He makes it known that both men and women express sexual satisfaction in contrasting manners, tending to exaggerate miscommunication. He lists out performance anxiety, mismatch in understanding of intimacy, and lack of communication as significant problems, and fosters empathic understanding and patience in relationships.

Dr. Subodh speaks on female sexual satisfaction in depth and talks about female orgasm as a necessity for sexual satisfaction, stating the widespread myths and misinformation about the matter. He talks about how true satisfaction can happen with the peak of pleasure or orgasm is achieved, but emphasizes that it is only possible when feeling emotionally safe, especially with foreplay, and a connection with her partner. He explains that women actually can have multiple orgasms, which can change the intimacy between them.

Masturbation Myths, Condom Benefits & the Risks Nobody Talks About

Dr. Subodh discusses oral intimacy as a significant aspect of sexual expression. He referenced historical manuscripts, including the Kamasutra, as legitimacy for the discussion. He describes the evolving notions of consent and mutual consent as the starting positions. He explains that oral sex can help create a greater sense of physical and emotional connection for partners as well as a deeper understanding of relationships.

He talks about different hygiene habits and issues to be aware of to take care of one’s oral and sexual health. He emphasizes the importance of cleanliness in preventing self-exposure to infection, the need for mutual consent at all meeting locations, and the absence of open wounds or bleeding from the gums.

Dr. Subodh examines the link between masturbation and mental health. He argues that masturbation can reduce stress, lift mood, provide relaxation, assist with sleep, and restore emotional regulation. He would argue that some level of masturbation is normally healthy. However, compulsive or excessive masturbation may be a symptom of emotional difficulties.

Dr. Subodh stressed the significance of appropriate timing when masturbating. He advises the suitable times as when alone or don’t have access to a sexual partner, while using mindfulness in practice to preserve mental and physical health.

He evaluates how issues with premature ejaculation, a problem which afflicts many men and couples, should be viewed from psychological and relational dimensions. He offers several solutions for management, including behavioral techniques, Kegel exercises, and counseling about our relationships. He notes that pharmacotherapy should only be done under professional supervision. He makes an argument for a holistic approach that would also include assessment for existing medical conditions.

Safe Sex or Marketing Hype? Condoms, Birth Control & Shilajit Products

According to Dr. Subodh, condoms can effectively help prevent unplanned pregnancies and STIs. Condoms protect both parties by preventing fluid exchange; they are readily available, affordable, contain no hormones, and therefore have no hormonal side effects, and they are a safe, effective form of contraception for high-risk circumstances.

Dr. Subodh indicates that condoms are the best contraceptive option available for preventing unwanted pregnancies and STIs. Hormonal contraceptive options do not protect against STIs. After using condoms, reliable condoms reduce the risk of infection, transmission of infections, and provide dual protection.

Dr. Subodh explains that contraceptive pills and injectables can prevent pregnancy but may cause side effects like irregular bleeding, mood changes, and weight changes, necessitating future healthcare consultations.

He indicates that both vaginal tightening creams and shilajit supplements may not have scientific determination and could also be dangerous because these products could have unregulated ingredients. He tells people to talk to a healthcare professional about any sexual health problem rather than try to treat it with unproven products.

Conclusion: From Taboos to Transformation: A Path Forward for Sexual Wellness

Dr. Subodh identifies implicit gaps in formal sex education, misinformation about the physiological processes that are taking place in our bodies, as well as other factors that can affect how individuals perceive their bodies. He argues that open and honest discussion and the spread of sexual health awareness are critical and necessary for Nepali youths.

In this video, Dr. Subodh addresses complete sexual health awareness, disrupting societal taboos, and providing evidence-based practices that improve intimacy, contraception, and common sexual dysfunctions. These practices encompass healthy, fulfilling relationships.

Dr. Subodh continues to educate about sexual health awareness, creates an environment of respectful discourse, and promotes comprehensive sexual health and intimacy.