The Sexual Health Services Unit, affiliated with the Student Dean's Office at Near East University, organized the ‘2nd National Symposium on Sexuality and Sexual Health’ on October 17, 2025. Approximately 250 participants attended the symposium held in Hall 4 of the Yakın Doğu University İrfan Günsel Congress Center, including medical doctors, nurses, midwives, physical therapists, psychologists, and academics and health professional students from various universities, as well as representatives from public and private hospitals and clinics. 

The symposium began with the participation of Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Umut AKSOY. In her opening speech, Symposium Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder emphasized the importance of discussing the meaning of sexuality across different age groups from a multidisciplinary perspective, in line with the sustainable development goal of “ensuring healthy and quality life at all ages.” The first symposium addressed sexuality in the preschool, adolescent, and youth periods, while this year's symposium focused on sexuality and sexual health in adulthood. It emphasized that ensuring universal access to reproductive health services, including sexual health, and to information and education on this subject is part of the sustainable development goals, and that health professionals and academics involved in this field bear a significant responsibility.

Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder emphasized that adulthood is a period in which sexual function, pleasure, partner relationships, and perceptions of sexuality are important, and that sexual problems are commonly experienced during this time. She explained that it is important to address the factors contributing to the emergence of these problems from a multidisciplinary perspective and to contribute to the protection and improvement of adult sexual health.

In his opening speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Umut Aksoy emphasized that since its establishment, our university has aimed to be not only an educational institution but also a center for science, innovation, and social awareness. He emphasized that addressing a topic such as sexual health, which is still surrounded by various taboos and misconceptions in our society, with a bold, academic, and multidisciplinary approach is the most concrete manifestation of our powerful vision. He thanked the Sexual Health Services Unit, which brings this vision to life by not only organizing symposiums but also providing free counseling and educational services to our students throughout the year and conducting various awareness-raising activities at the national level, as well as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder, who leads the unit. Prof. Dr. Aksoy concluded his speech by thanking Student Dean Prof. Dr. Dudu Özkum Yavuz for her valuable contributions and the distinguished academics who added scientific depth and meaningful unity to the symposium.

The first session of the symposium, chaired by Prof. Dr. Müfit Cemal Yenen and Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz Özgören, began with topics related to sexual health during the periods most affected by sexuality in adulthood: pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, menopause, and andropause.

Prof. Dr. Gül Ertem from Ege University Faculty of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Women's Health, highlighted in her talk “Sexuality and Sexual Health During Pregnancy” that changes in hormones, body image, and emotions during pregnancy can impact sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction, and that there have been many myths, taboos, and misunderstandings about the connection between pregnancy and sexuality throughout history.

Dr. Sema Üstgörül, Faculty Member of the Midwifery Department at Celal Bayar University in Manisa and President of the Nursing and Midwifery Sexual Education and Counseling Association (HEDER), In her talk titled “Sexuality and Sexual Health During Childbirth and the Postpartum Period,” she drew attention to the topics of experiencing childbirth with less pain through mindfulness and orgasmic birth. She explained in detail the scientific aspects of the causes of sexual dysfunction that may occur after childbirth and how health professionals should assess postpartum sexual life.

Near East University Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmet Gün, in his speech titled “Sexuality and Sexual Health in Menopause and Andropause,” shared information about difficulties women experience during menopause, their impact on sexual health, and what can be done for treatment.

This session underscored the importance of recognizing how physiological, emotional, and hormonal transitions throughout adulthood influence sexual health, and stressed the need for multidisciplinary cooperation in improving reproductive and sexual well-being.

The second session of the symposium titled “Protection and Development of Sexual Health in Adulthood I” was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tijen Ataçağ chaired the session; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meryem Karaaziz, Faculty Member of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Near East University, presented on ‘Healthy Romantic Relationships, Psychological Resilience, and Sexual Well-being’; Dr. Batuhan Dericioğlu, Faculty Member at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Cyprus University, presented on ‘Exercise and Sexual Well-Being’, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nezire İnce, Faculty Member at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, presented on ‘Nutrition and Sexual Well-Being’, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Women's Health Nursing at Near East University, presented on ‘Sexual Education and Sexual Well-being’.

Dr. Batuhan Dericioğlu explained the differences between physical activity and exercise, detailing how various factors influence sexual health and well-being across physical, emotional, mental, and social dimensions related to these activities.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Nezire İnce stated that a healthy and satisfying sex life is associated with better health, increased quality of life, and a longer life. She explained that adequate and balanced nutrition is one of the most important factors supporting a healthy sex life. She emphasized that, in addition to aphrodisiac foods, the Mediterranean Diet is the most effective nutritional model known in this context.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder emphasized the importance of viewing sexuality within a multidimensional framework of sexual well-being for a comprehensive public health approach and the necessity of sexual education programs that encompass sexual well-being in partnered or unpartnered sexual behavior/sexual activities during adulthood. However, she explained that school- and community-based sexual education could reduce the risk of sexual dysfunction commonly seen in adulthood and shared examples of sexual education research and programs that promote adult sexual well-being. The session highlighted the interconnectedness of psychological resilience, physical activity, nutrition, and education in supporting sexual well-being, emphasizing that a holistic understanding of sexuality contributes to both individual and community health.

The final session of the symposium was chaired by Prof. Dr. Özen Aşut and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Akalpler. During this session, Prof. Dr. Ayten Şentürk Erenel, a faculty member in the Department of Obstetrics and Women's Health Nursing at Gazi University, presented on "Contraceptive Methods," while Prof. Dr. Şanda Çalı, Chair of the Department of Public Health at Near East University Faculty of Medicine, presented on "Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections."

Prof. Dr. Ayten Şentürk Erenel emphasized the importance of contraceptive method use in preventing unwanted pregnancies, as well as preventing sexually transmitted diseases through the use of barrier methods, highlighting its significance in protecting public health. She also drew attention to findings indicating that some contraceptive methods may negatively affect the sexual response cycle, particularly in women.

Prof. Dr. Şanda Çalı emphasized the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, their transmission routes, and treatment options. She outlined what individuals and society can do to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. The closing session reinforced the role of preventive healthcare and public awareness in protecting sexual and reproductive health, stressing that education, safe practices, and access to information are essential for achieving sustainable public health outcomes.

The symposium concluded with thanks to the organizing team.