Reproductive and sexual health should be given just as much importance as other aspects of physical and mental health. Most women tend to start their sexual health journey only when problems arise, but prevention is always better than a cure. Whatever your goal is as a woman, whether it’s to bear a child someday or to maintain a safe sexual life, it’s important to keep these reproductive and sexual health tips in mind.

Go for Regular Check-ups

It’s recommended to see an obstetrician-gynecologist as early as your first period. Discuss and establish a health management plan with your OB-GYN that includes regular medical tests, with the goal of preventing sexual and reproductive diseases. Make your OB-GYN visits a part of your regular routine, even when you do not feel any particular symptoms or are not even sexually active. Ask about contraception and vaccines, especially at the start of your sexual exploration.

Track your Period

Whether you’re planning to have a child or not, it’s important to track your period so you can detect any discrepancies right away. Keep in mind, however, that the standard 28-day cycle doesn’t necessarily apply to all women. The University College London and Natural Cycles USA Corp’s joint study on menstrual cycles found that the average cycle lasts 29.3 days, with only thirteen percent of women having cycles lasting 28 days. Ovulation doesn’t necessarily occur on Day 14 always, so it’s crucial to determine your own cycle length. You can do this by consulting with your OB-GYN or using apps such as Clue. This is especially useful if you’re planning for pregnancy or are trying to avoid it.

Practice Safe Sex

Practicing safe sex is not only for birth control, but also to maintain good sexual health—helping you prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s STD information page is a good resource to learn about various STDs and how to manage them, if diagnosed. While there is no sure-fire way to eliminate the risks of STDs aside from abstinence, it is nonetheless important to practice safe sex by using contraceptives such as condoms. It is also recommended to get tested regularly and avoid engaging in sex with partners you don’t know very well.

Make Time for Self-Love

While it may still be taboo in conservative cultures, female masturbation has a wealth of benefits. In fact, cognitive neuroscientist and licensed sex therapist Nan Wise reveals that it can be a source of empowerment and a self-esteem and mood booster. PrettyMe’s guide to bullet vibrators shares that there are many beginner-friendly devices available, which are designed to stimulate the clitoris. Vibrators, similar to other sex toys, can help users achieve orgasm—which is known to improve sleep, decrease muscle tension, and reduce stress too.

Follow the Proper Nutrition

To establish good reproductive health, women should maintain a diet rich in calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, iron, and folate. HelpGuide’s list of diet tips for women enumerates ideal sources of iron such as breakfast cereals. Braised beef liver, on the other hand, tops the list of good sources of folate. In any case, it’s always best to get the proper nutrition from natural food sources, but if you ever find it difficult to maintain this diet, food supplements are a reliable alternative.

Despite the recommendation to start a healthy sexual journey while you’re young, know that it’s never too late to begin either. Celebrate your womanhood today by prioritizing your sexual health. As feminist philosopher Harriet Beecher Stowe puts it, “a woman’s health is her capital.”