A lot of people in South Asia grow up without proper sex education, so most information comes from friends, random internet advice, porn, WhatsApp forwards, or pure fear/shame.

Because of that, many people end up believing myths about:

• masturbation
• penis size
• periods
• performance
• virginity
• STDs
• pregnancy
• libido
• relationships
• “masculinity”
• and more

What’s one myth you genuinely believed for a long time before finding out the truth?

No judging just honest discussion and awareness.

A lot of people grow up without proper sex education or a safe place to ask questions openly. Because of that, many topics stay hidden even though they affect mental health, relationships, confidence, and overall well-being.

It could be anything:

• performance anxiety
• low libido
• periods & intimacy
• porn addiction
• consent
• STDs
• body insecurity
• masturbation guilt
• relationship pressure
• emotional intimacy
• sexual health myths
• anything else

No judging here just honest and respectful discussion.

What’s one topic you think people should openly talk about more?

I’ve been thinking about this lately and wanted to get real opinions from others.

It feels like when stress increases (work pressure, overthinking, anxiety), it doesn’t just affect mood it also impacts energy, focus, confidence, and sometimes even sexual desire and performance.

At the same time, when lifestyle improves (better sleep, exercise, routine), people often report improvements not just in fitness but also in sexual wellbeing and confidence.

So I’m wondering:
Is sexual health more connected to mental health and lifestyle than we usually realize?

Or is it just overthinking and coincidence?

Would love to hear real experiences from people here.

I feel a lot of people still grow up with shame or confusion around topics like consent, periods, intimacy, body image, performance anxiety, etc. Even basic questions are considered “awkward” to ask openly.

At the same time, social media and online communities seem to be making these discussions a little more normal now.

Do you think the stigma is actually improving, or do people still mostly judge/silence these conversations in real life?

(Recently came across some interesting discussions on r/IndiaSexualHealth around this too.)

Could be anything periods, performance anxiety, consent, porn addiction, low libido, STDs, body insecurity, masturbation, emotional intimacy, painful experiences, relationship pressure, anything.

A lot of people grow up without proper education or a safe space to ask questions, so let’s talk openly and respectfully here.

No judging just honest discussions.

Hey everyone, I’ve created a community r/IndiaSexualHealth for open and respectful discussions around sexual health, relationships, emotions, and personal experiences. The aim is to reduce stigma and create a safe space where people can ask questions and share perspectives without judgment. If this feels helpful, you’re welcome to join

Welcome to r/IndiaSexualHealth 👋

This community is created as a safe, anonymous, and non judgemental space to talk about sexual health and relationship-related topics that are often ignored or not openly discussed in India.

What you can discuss here:

• Sexual health awareness
• Relationship & intimacy issues
• Performance anxiety, ED, PE, stress-related concerns
• Emotional connection in relationships
• General questions related to sexual wellbeing

🤝 Our goal:

To create a respectful space where people can:

• Share experiences without judgement
• Ask questions freely
• Learn from others’ perspectives
• Improve awareness around sexual health in India

⚠️ Rules:

• Be respectful to everyone
• No explicit/NSFW content
• No harassment or trolling
• Keep discussions educational & constructive

Hi everyone,

I wanted to talk about something that I feel isn’t discussed openly enough, especially in Indian relationships.

What happens when one partner has a higher libido and the other has little to no interest in intimacy?

I’ve seen (and experienced) situations where communication doesn’t always solve the issue, and over time it can start affecting mental health, confidence, and even the overall connection in the relationship.

It’s not always as simple as “just adjust” or “leave the relationship” especially when there are emotional, family, or long-term commitments involved.

I’m curious to know:

• How do couples in India realistically deal with this?
• Is it something that improves with time, or does it require active effort from both sides?
• What are some healthy ways to manage this without hurting each other?

Would really appreciate honest experiences or advice.

There are so many myths around sexual health in India from “nightfall is harmful” to “watching porn always causes ED”.

Some of these beliefs create unnecessary fear and anxiety.

What’s one myth you’ve heard that you think people still believe?

Let’s clear some misconceptions together in a respectful way.

I’ve seen many people say they feel pressure during intimacy even in long term relationships.

Things like:

- Fear of not performing well

- Overthinking during intimacy

- Losing confidence even with a trusted partner

This can affect both mental and physical sexual health.

Do you think this is normal? Or is it something that should be addressed seriously?

Would love to hear honest experiences and thoughts from the community.

This is a safe, anonymous space for sexual health discussions in India.

A lot of people silently deal with issues like:

- Performance anxiety

- Erectile dysfunction (even in 20s)

- Premature ejaculation

- Stress-related libido issues

- Relationship confusion around intimacy

But most people never talk about it openly.

I want to understand from you all:

What do you think is the most common sexual health issue people face but never discuss openly?

Feel free to share your thoughts anonymously no judgement here.

Most people focus heavily on workouts, but ignore basics like sleep, stress, and daily routine.

I’ve noticed that whenever these slip poor sleep, inconsistent exercise, or too much screen time energy levels drop noticeably, and overall confidence also takes a hit.

On the other hand, when routine is stable, even simple habits like regular walking, better sleep, and a cleaner diet seem to improve both physical and mental state.

For those who’ve experienced real changes:

What made the biggest difference for you gym consistency, diet, sleep, or stress management?

Looking back, what is one thing you wish you understood earlier about health, confidence, or relationships?

 Without medication, what lifestyle or mindset changes actually help improve confidence and reduce anxiety?

 In India, most people avoid this conversation. What do you think works better open communication or handling it privately?

Do you think performance-related stress can affect relationships more than we think?

 Many people in their 20s struggle with confidence in relationships. What actually helps improve it over time?

Hi, I got back from India 3 1/2 months ago and I thought I was okay but I’m really struggling with it now. I was at the Taj Mahal sightseeing. It was super crowded and someone pressed themselves against me and put their hands up my dress and into my underwear. Instead of yelling and screaming I froze and let it happen. I was travelling with my mum but she wasn’t by me at the time it happened. When I told her afterwards she brushed it off and said well there’s nothing we can do about it … we’re in India what did you expect? So I put it aside but there’s just this lingering gross feeling that I should have known better and that I deserved that to happen. I didn’t even get to see exactly who it was or their gender. I feel sick and I still feel dirty from it all. It saddens me because I made such an effort to travel to the other side of the world. I feel very disheartened.

EDIT: I’ve read most if not all of the replies here. Thank you for all your kind words. I didn’t know a space in the internet like this would help. Also it is a really big struggle to recommend people to visit India, whilst it was only one person the stories posted here are highlighting how dangerous that country is for a woman to travel. Whilst I love seeing the world and sharing new experiences I value my safety and my body first. It’s crazy to read people blaming me… and saying comments like “why didn’t you do anything?” No one knows how their body is going to respond in the time. I’m also a lover and not a fighter, in a foreign holy place it didn’t seem right to attack. Thank you to everyone for sharing their stories and whilst I wish I could respond to all of you individually it’s a lot to process as I’m processing my own trauma. I appreciate all the love I really wish I could give you all the responses you deserve. I need a few days to get through this. X