Heterosexuality

At the beginning of the 18th century the term Heterosexuality coined by Karl Maria Kertbeny. It is composed of the Greek "heteros" and the Latin "sexus" and thus explains the word formation from the parts "the other, the unequal" in connection with the male and female sex. This is how the definition of homosexuality came about, which describes the sexual affection and love of same-sex partners.

What is heterosexuality?

Heterosexuality is the term for a sexual inclination in which only a sexual desire is felt for people of the opposite sex. So heterosexual relationships are acts or connections between men and women. The form of the sexual act is not tied to life forms, so that casual acquaintances such as “one-night stands” are part of it. Heterosexuality does not exclude that other sexual practices and forms can also be lived.

The term heterosexuality is not defined exclusively for a couple relationship, but rather serves to delimit the sexes of those involved within an act. The adjective homosexual is used accordingly for the sexual act between man and man or woman and woman.

Function & task

The evolutionary development has prevailed with heterosexuality contrary to the initially dominant asexual reproduction. This change took place around 600 million years ago and has the advantage that the different races in the animal and human world can mix better genetically. This is a great benefit in terms of reproduction, because genetic material that is evolutionarily further apart, often offers healthier potential than in overly close relational structures.

If healthy, vigorous descendants are to be produced, caution is advisable in the case of close degrees of relationship (first and second degree). If the relationship is too close, there is a risk of disabilities and malformations that have genetic reasons and are therefore permanent. Modern medicine can often bring clarity in advance with a chromosome analysis and other procedures.

While homosexual couples often face impairments, including abuse and persecution, heterosexual relationships can always acquire legal status anywhere in the world. The promise of marriage requires only a few criteria, such as a minimum age, voluntariness and the exclusion of incest.

In recent years, more and more countries have liberalized themselves for so-called gay marriages and allow the official registration of a civil partnership. However, the cohabitation is only approximately comparable with the status of marriage.

Illnesses & ailments

The diseases that can result from oral, anal and sexual intercourse are different. First and foremost, HIV should be mentioned, an aggressive and so far incurable virus. The HIV virus enters the sexual partner through the exchange of body fluids, i.e. through sperm, blood, vaginal secretions, but also breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid. Particularly sensitive mucous membranes, such as those found in the vagina or anal area, with injured areas and bleeding wounds, can serve as an entry point for the virus into the immune system.

In addition to serious viral diseases, a lack of personal hygiene can also transmit many other diseases. For women, vaginal thrush is often a part of it, as are warts, unpleasant discharges or infections in the internal organs, such as the uterus.

Since the genital organs and the excretory organs are close to each other, hygiene in the intimate area should be taken into account, especially before sexual union. This is the only way to prevent harmful bacteria from being transmitted. Because the warm, humid environment offers them ideal conditions to spread and cause an infection. The result would then be a painful and unpleasant illness. Gnonorrhea, also known colloquially as "gonorrhea", is very well known and common.

Bacterial diseases are to be taken very seriously, as in case of doubt they can lead to irreversible infertility. Adjacent organs, such as the bladder, are also often affected by these diseases. If itching, the first pain or other symptoms in the abdomen, a visit to the gynecologist is advisable. In men, too, bacterial diseases manifest themselves in a variety of diseases and symptoms. An irritated foreskin or other symptoms should therefore not be ignored, but should be checked by a urologist.