Paula Mella and his book "The pleasure of knowing us": a guide from biology to sexuality and enjoyment for women - the counter

That we do not dare to speak openly about sexuality, that we inform ourselves through our friends or that the contraceptive methods based on hormones are harmful to the body, are some examples of concerns that have been in the public debate when we refer to theway in which women have opened to talk about sexual and reproductive health.Do we trust intuition or do we rely on scientific evidence when thinking about our sexual health?

To clarify these concerns, the midwife Paula Mella, published in October 2021 the book "The pleasure of knowing us.A female sexual health guide without myths ”, a review of sexuality from a biological view, which addresses advice on practical issues such as the choice of an adequate contraceptive method, to conversations about desire, consent, female orgasm and recommendations to faceFrom our limits some sexual practices.

In conversation with the Braga counter, the author highlights the relevance that information and communication currently has at the time of starting sexual life, “women are always going to try to consult with someone who has more experience than us or we are simply to socialize itWith someone from our trust.We also tend to ask more and take a more active role in front of professionals.We are not going so passively to wait indications and voila, ”he says.

This book is aimed at women of adulthood, however, Paula considers appropriate to access this reading from the age of 14, as well as is recommended for men.

Women and access to sexual health information

Paula Mella is a midwife and in her work in a family health center and dictating workshops for women could discover the debt in sexuality training and the different taboos that were installed when talking with confidence about their bodies.

For her, reading and more if it is about sexuality, it is not a common practice among women, “I don't think it's something we have established;I think it is something that is not encouraged since childhood, but we are getting close to that, "she says and deepens that," in general that the reading encourages little;One is found a lot with young people and adolescents who do not really like to read and read sexuality less, in addition, they are not books that are mandatory in the readings of school programs, there have been controversies for including sexuality booksin schools".

@Lady_summerisle Ah, That's Okay, What They Speak In Munich Can Hardly Being German, Anyway 😆. Sorry.Northern German Here...

— Ʉ₮Ø₱ł₳ Thu Jul 30 19:27:25 +0000 2020

Paula, in addition to being the author of this book, shares educational content and responds to consultations through her Instagram account;a trend that from the pandemic many sexual and reproductive health professionals adopted to replace the scarce of medical consultations in the confinement.In this line, he says that “social networks have contributed to sex education in recent years because at least it helps you read a post about sexuality if you follow an account of those those.In the background equal incentives a little more these readings and in the same way more and more professionals have appeared, gynecologists, midwives who have written sexuality books, ”he says.

In this sense, the positive thing about creating this type of manual or sharing would be reliability when informing about sexual health."I believe that social networks are a tremendous tool in the sense of sexual and reproductive themes, women dare to consult through networks and that is when one guides and encourages consultation with the corresponding professional,"indicates

Mouth to mouth versus scientific evidence

This book has sections of questions and answers, which are answered in a clear and simple language, accompanied by illustrations on basic sexuality issues, but that the taboo, on many occasions makes complex consult.On this, the author assures that, “the way she communicates is tremendously important, if I speak to women with technical concepts, searched words or myself transmit modesty by saying certain words, most likely it is that whoever listens to meHe absolutely understands anything and will perpetuate certain taboos when talking about sexuality ”.

In addition, Paula reflects on the importance of considering scientific evidence in actions such as the choice of an appropriate contraceptive method for our needs and particularities.Relevant point since visions on a more natural gynecology versus hormonal methods are contrasted, which have been in vogue in recent times.

To deepen this aspect we ask the author what is the most used trend by women.Are we intuitive or do we rely on science?

"I think that is something very personal," he emphasizes and deepens that, "although, when one explains things clearly and with evidence, that generates confidence in women when choosing their contraceptives, that choice is going todepend on the convictions that each woman has because regardless of what the scientific evidence says there will be a certain number of women who have greater resonance for the natural ”.

“Then I think we trust the intuitive, I believe that our intuition can be clarified with evidence that supports it;I think the important thing is that we as professionals know how to respect such decisions of women, but always delivering all the necessary information, ”he says and clarifies that,“ there are also people who, although there is no evidence or evidence to say otherwiseThey go totally on the side of the intuitive and it is not bad, you have to accept it, as long as it is not something that hurts someone I believe that we should not try to persuade or try to change the opinion of people just because scientific evidencesays otherwise, but you have to inform it ".

Expectations with this publication

Paula works five years ago in a sexual health center, from which he noticed the need to nurture the community through information, which is why among their expectations it is that this reading is facilitated in educational or health environments.“My expectation is to be able to reach many women with this book and that it is a real contribution to their life, I consider that a man can also read it without problems and I am sure that it would also be a contribution to them and in that sense, incorporate readingFrom this book at school I find it super positive and totally necessary ”, concludes.