In the early 18th century, the term heterosexuality was coined by Karl Maria Kertbeny. It is composed of the Greek “heteros” and the Latin “sexus”, thus explaining the word formation from the parts “the other, the unequal” in connection with the male and female sex. This is also how the definition of homosexuality came about, describing the sexual affection and love of same-sex partners.
What is heterosexuality?
Heterosexuality is the term used to describe a sexual inclination in which sexual desire is felt exclusively for persons of the opposite sex. Thus, heterosexual relationships are acts or unions between a man and a woman. The form of the sexual act is not bound to forms of life, so that fleeting acquaintances such as “one-night stands” are also included. Heterosexuality does not exclude the possibility of living other sexual practices and forms. In terminology, the term heterosexuality is not defined exclusively for a couple relationship, but serves to delineate the genders of the participants within an act. The adjective homosexual is used accordingly for the sexual act between a man and a man or a woman and a woman.
Function and task
The evolutionary development has prevailed with heterosexuality contrary to the initially dominant asexual reproduction. This change took place about 600 million years ago and has the advantage of allowing the different races in the animal and human worlds to better mix genetically. In the context of reproduction, this is a great benefit, because genetic material that is evolutionarily more distant from one another often offers healthier potential than in structures that are too closely related. If healthy, vigorous descendants are to be conceived, caution is advised with close degrees of kinship (first and second degree). If the relationship is too close, there is a risk of disabilities and malformations, which have genetic causes and are therefore permanent. Modern medicine can often provide clarity in advance with chromosome analysis and other procedures. While homosexual couples often have to reckon with impairments up to vituperation and persecution, heterosexual unions can always obtain a legal status everywhere in the world. The marriage vow requires only a few criteria, such as a minimum age, voluntariness and the exclusion of incest. In recent years, more and more countries have also liberalized for the so-called gay marriages and allow the official registration of a cohabitation. However, cohabitation is only roughly comparable to the status of marriage.
Diseases and ailments
The diseases that can result from oral, anal, and sexual intercourse vary. First and foremost is HIV, an aggressive and as yet incurable virus. HIV enters sexual partners through the exchange of bodily fluids, i.e., semen, blood, vaginal secretions, but also breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid. Particularly sensitive mucous membranes, such as those found in the vaginal or anal area, can serve as an entry point for the virus into the immune system with injured areas and bleeding wounds. In addition to serious viral diseases, many other diseases can be transmitted through lack of personal hygiene. For women, vaginal fungi are often among them, as are warts, unpleasant discharges or infections of the internal organs, such as the uterus. Since the sexual 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. The warm, moist environment provides ideal conditions for them to spread and cause an infection. The result would be a painful and unpleasant disease. Very well known and frequent is gonorrhea, colloquially known as “gonorrhea”. 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 frequently affected by these diseases. In case of itching, first pains or other symptoms in the abdomen, a visit to the gynecologist is advisable. Bacterial diseases also manifest themselves in a variety of diseases and symptoms in men.Therefore, an irritated foreskin or other symptoms should not be ignored but should be checked by a urologist.
