Nov 23, 2025 | blog, Sexual Health
Dear younger me,
You’re growing up in a world that is overflowing with information, so much that it’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. A world that talks about sex without ever really talking about it. Everyone seems to know, yet no one explains. So let’s start here, with honesty.
Sex is not shameful. It is not performance or conquest. It is an expression of connection, affection, and vulnerability. I know that when you first learned about it, it wasn’t through a conversation with someone who cared. You heard things from friends, saw things online, and slowly began forming ideas. The truth is, most of what you’ll see and most of what you’ll hear are far removed from reality.
Real life doesn’t have scripted scenes, there is no director cutting to the perfect climax. Relationships are dynamic. They are made up of communication, comfort, awkwardness, trust, and care, all the things that make sex great. You’ll realize one day that sexuality isn’t about performance or a conquest. It’s something you grow into for yourself. It’s not about proving you’re experienced or confident or have a high body count; it’s about learning what makes you feel safe, seen, and respected.
You’re human, curiosity doesn’t make you bad, but on the contrary, it’s what makes you a real being. But curiosity without guidance and principle can lead you into illusions. That’s what pornography is; that’s what casual sex can be. A beautifully packaged illusion. It’s not evil but empty, the kind of emptiness no one warns you about. It promises connection but leaves you hollow. It mimics intimacy but skips the parts that make intimacy matter. It’s like a fireplace screen saver; it looks real, yet when you reach out to feel the warmth of the logs, it isn’t there.
Here is the thing, though: you can always come back to the truth. To reality that invites presence. To the kind of relationships where you don’t have to pretend. Where both you and your partner are seen and valued, the kind where you don’t use someone, and you don’t feel used or compared.
You can learn that real sexual health begins long before any of the physical acts. It starts with self-respect. With understanding your body, your emotions, and your boundaries. It’s about realizing your worth doesn’t depend on experience or feeling instant gratification.It’s about self-governance, and when you meet someone who treats you with gentleness and care, you’ll understand how different a real connection feels. It’s calm, not chaotic; it’s steady, not just thrilling, and it’s built on trust, not tension and momentary passion.
One day you’ll come to see this. You’ll see that sexual health isn’t just about protecting yourself from disease; it’s about how you see yourself and others. That’s what self-love truly is.
With care and clarity,
Your Older Self
Writer: Kidus Solomon
Nov 16, 2025 | blog, Sexual Health
In today’s rapidly evolving world, knowledge is power. For young people, understanding sexual health is not merely empowering, it is protective. Yet in Ethiopia, as in many other countries, sexual health education remains a sensitive and often avoided topic within schools. This silence carries significant consequences. Without structured education and open discussion, young people are left vulnerable to misinformation, early pregnancy, and preventable diseases.
Sexual health education encompasses far more than the biological aspects of reproduction. It equips young people with accurate information, instills healthy values, and develops essential life skills that enable them to make informed, responsible decisions. Evidence demonstrates that comprehensive sexual education helps reduce risky behaviors, delays early sexual activity, and promotes mutual respect and consent. In a nation where over 70% of the population is under the age of 30, this education is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Ethiopia continues to face challenges such as teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and rising HIV infections among youth. Providing students with reliable knowledge is therefore critical to addressing these issues effectively.
Cultural norms in Ethiopia often render discussions about sex taboo. Many parents and educators may feel uncomfortable addressing these topics, fearing that open dialogue might encourage sexual activity. However, extensive research contradicts this concern, showing that comprehensive sexual education does not accelerate sexual initiation. Instead, it fosters awareness, confidence, and respect for one’s own body and the boundaries of others.
Schools play a pivotal role in this process. Beyond academic instruction, they serve as environments where young people shape their identities and worldviews. By integrating sexual and reproductive health education into school curricula, educators can bridge the gap between cultural expectations and the realities that young people face. Key areas of focus should include puberty and bodily changes, consent and personal boundaries, prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), menstrual health and hygiene, gender equality, and mental and emotional well-being.
At Letena Ethiopia, we recognize that education is the cornerstone of empowerment. By promoting honest, inclusive conversations about sexual health and supporting schools, parents, and communities, we can break cycles of misinformation and fear. In doing so, we cultivate a generation that is not only informed but also compassionate, responsible, and equipped to navigate the challenges of adulthood with confidence.
Writer: Hermon Israel
Nov 9, 2025 | blog, Mental Health, Sexual Health
In recent years, our understanding of the connection between mental health and sexual health has deepened, revealing just how intertwined the brain, body, and desire truly are. In both men and women, changes in mood, anxiety levels, and stress hormones can profoundly affect sexual desire, performance, and satisfaction. Far from being two separate aspects of health, mental well-being and sexual functioning now appear to influence each other significantly.
One of the strongest findings emerging from current studies is the role of chronic stress. When the body is in persistent “fight or flight” mode, the brain is easily distracted by surrounding stimuli, making the person unable to be present during sex, making them enjoy it much less especially in women. Cortisol, the stress hormone, although with less intensity, contributes moderately to the suppression of arousal and consequent reduction of libido, and less overall interest in sex. Having a positive mental state and subjective assessment of one’s health is associated with better sexual performance.
Depression, too, is proving to be more than a mental state of low motivation and mood. It has been proven to affect sexual function either in sexual desire, satisfaction or performance. In 2022, an analysis of 12 studies showed that over 60% of men and 80% of women with major depressive disorder report sexual impairment. Scientists point to lower dopamine and serotonin levels, two neurotransmitters essential to both pleasure and emotional regulation, as the most likely cause for this. Other common symptoms that occur with depression have also been shown to affect sexual function, including lack of exercise and substance use, such as smoking. This situation is further worsened by the fact that many of the common medications for the treatment of depression have been shown to negatively affect libido and sexual pleasure.
The interrelation of depression and sexual dysfunction is evident in that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a common treatment for some mental disorders, also is effective in treating some types of sexual dysfunction. This indicates some common mechanism, if not origin, for the disorders. New findings offer hope, showing that treating mental health, even through small exercises of mindfulness, restores sexual function naturally. In fact, mindfulness not only restores sexual function but also improves the experience.
Evidence also suggests that positive sexual health indicators are associated with lower depression and anxiety, higher quality of life, and greater life satisfaction among men and women.
This is more than enough evidence to suggest that the mental and sexual health of an individual are interconnected and depend on each other. They are both central pillars of overall health and well-being. The growing self-care movement should not treat them as separate concerns in the care of a person. A mentally well person is more likely to have a more fulfilling sex life. A person with a fulfilling sex life is more likely to have good mental health. And a person with both is more likely to have a better overall well-being.
Writer : Dr. Hosaena Gebru
Sep 7, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health
Dear Letena,
I don’t really know how to begin this letter, but I feel like I can’t keep everything inside anymore. I’m twelve now, and my body is changing so quickly. Instead of feeling excited about it, I mostly feel out of place. When I look at my friends, they still seem like kids, but I don’t. It feels as if I’ve stepped into a world I wasn’t ready for, while everyone else stayed behind.
Lately, my chest has been growing, and sometimes it aches in a way I don’t understand. I catch myself crossing my arms over it, hoping the discomfort will ease and that no one will notice. But the boys at school already have, and the teasing feels endless. They point, laugh, and make comments that sting more than I can admit. Every time it happens, I wish I could shrink back into myself and disappear.
I’m too embarrassed to bring any of this up to my mom. Just the thought of saying the words out loud makes my face burn. I even tried searching for answers online, but all I found were long explanations filled with big words and scary possibilities. Nothing seemed to speak to what I’m actually going through. So I’ve stayed quiet, carrying all of this by myself.
Sometimes I wonder why it had to happen to me first, why growing up feels less like moving forward and more like being pushed into a spotlight I never asked for. It’s lonely, confusing, and often I just wish I could pause everything until I feel ready.
I’m writing to you because keeping this inside has started to feel unbearable. I need to believe there is at least one place where my fears won’t sound foolish.
Writer: Bezawit Elias
Aug 3, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health
Let’s Be Real
Not every health concern is easy to talk about, especially when it involves your private parts. You might feel a weird pain in your lower belly, notice a new bump, or just get the sense that something down there isn’t quite right.
And before you even think about going to a clinic, your brain starts to spiral:
• “What if it’s something serious?”
• “What if they judge me?”
• “What if I go and it turns out to be nothing, and I look stupid?”
• “What if they tell me I have something I’ll never get rid of?”
So… you wait. You hope it’ll go away on its own.
Sometimes it does.
But too often, it doesn’t. And by the time you finally seek help, the issue has gotten worse. The cost, financially, emotionally, physically, is higher. And here’s the truth: this hesitation, this silence, it’s not because you don’t care. It’s because many of us were raised to feel ashamed. To think anything related to our genitals is dirty, secret, or “not to be talked about.”
But wanting clarity, comfort, or care? That’s not shameful. That’s human. You’re not overreacting. You’re not being dramatic. You’re doing exactly what you should do, listening to your body and wanting answers.
You Don’t Need to Say It Perfectly
You don’t need fancy words or medical terms. You don’t need to sound like a health textbook. You just need to say enough to start the conversation.
Try:
• “There’s a small lump near my groin.”
• “I feel a burning pain when I pee.”
• “Something just doesn’t feel right down there.”
Trust us, health professionals hear things like this every day. Their job isn’t to judge you. It’s to help you get the answers and care you need. If you’re nervous, that’s totally normal. But your discomfort won’t make them uncomfortable, they’re trained for this.
But What If They Don’t Take You Seriously?
Unfortunately, it happens. Sometimes a doctor dismisses your concerns. That is not your fault.
You’re allowed to ask again. You’re allowed to get a second opinion. You deserve to be heard, respected, and taken seriously, especially when it comes to your body.
When Should You See Someone?
If you’re dealing with any of the following, it’s time to reach out:
• A lump that hasn’t gone away after a week or two
• Persistent pain around your genitals
• Burning or discomfort while peeing
• Unusual discharge, odor or irritation
• Pain during or after sex
And honestly? If something just feels off, even if you’re not sure how to describe it, that’s enough of a reason. You don’t need permission to care about your health. And you don’t have to wait until it’s unbearable to get help.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Start simple. Call or visit your local health center. If you’re looking for a friendly ear and judgment-free support, message/call Letena. We’re here to help you figure things out, no shame, no lectures, just real answers.
You Deserve Peace of Mind
Whatever it is, knowing is better than guessing. Getting checked might feel scary in the moment, but living with uncertainty is scarier. Relief beats silence. Clarity beats fear. So go ahead. Ask the question. Start the conversation.
You don’t have to do it perfectly, you just have to do it.
Written by:- Bezawit Elias, Fifth Year Medical Student
Jul 27, 2025 | blog, Sexual Health
This July, as part of Letena Ethiopia’s HIV Awareness Month, we spoke with Mrs. Krittayawan Boonto, a seasoned public health expert with over two decades of experience across Asia and Africa who currently leads UNAIDS efforts in Ethiopia as a UNAIDS Country Director, to gain an understanding of the state of Ethiopia’s HIV response. We entered the conversation recognizing the progress that had been made. But we left with something more pressing: stories of burnout, budget gaps, and young people facing the crisis in isolation.
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is the UN’s leading body driving the global response to HIV. It brings together the resources and expertise of 11 UN agencies to support countries in preventing new infections, expanding treatment access, ending stigma, and ultimately ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. In Ethiopia, UNAIDS works closely with the government, civil society, and international donors to align efforts, fill data gaps, and keep the HIV response accountable and inclusive.
Over the past twenty years, Ethiopia has made significant progress in fighting HIV. The 90-94-96 numbers speak for themselves: many people living with HIV know their status, are receiving treatment, and have achieved viral suppression. These results didn’t occur by chance; they came from long-term investments, community outreach, and the dedicated efforts of health professionals. But that progress is now under threat.
Here’s what many don’t realize: 94% of Ethiopia’s HIV response is funded by external donors. In 2025, major budget cuts from programs like PEPFAR and the Global Fund dealt a blow to the country that it was not prepared for. These cuts aren’t abstract. They translate into fewer services, stalled outreach programs, and broken trust.
This isn’t just about systems or spreadsheets. It’s about real people. During a recent visit to Bahir Dar and Afar, Mrs. Boonto and her team saw the gaps firsthand. Community health networks, peer educators, and expert patients, who help others with testing, care, and adherence, are in a vulnerable position. Their funding has been completely cut off, leaving many without the resources to continue their work. In some areas, medications are no longer available, and several service delivery centers have shut down entirely. In regions affected by conflict or displacement, mobility is also a challenge; some community health workers can’t even move safely to reach the people in need.
Then there’s the youth, the part of the epidemic we still aren’t addressing properly.
Despite being more digitally connected than ever, many young people in Ethiopia lack basic knowledge about HIV. On our own Letena platform, which reaches thousands of youth across the country, we regularly hear staggering misconceptions. These aren’t rural or uneducated voices who have limited access to information, but rather many are the urban and misinformed youth.
Some don’t know where to go for testing, others wait until they’re seriously ill before seeking care, and far too many believe HIV is a problem of the past. The silence around HIV in Ethiopia is dangerous. As Mrs. Boonto noted, “HIV has fallen off the radar.”
But it shouldn’t be. Especially not now.
This is a crucial moment. If HIV fades from view, years of progress risk being undone. The truth is, Ethiopia’s youth are not just at risk; they are essential to ending the epidemic. But they need better tools, accurate information, and sustained support.
That’s why digital innovations matter.
UNAIDS plans to launch a new chatbot in September, drawing from successes in countries like Indonesia. The goal is to create a safe and anonymous space where young people can ask questions, express concerns, and get linked to services, without fear or shame.
At Letena, we’ve already seen how this approach works. Our content speaks openly about sex, consent, prevention, and testing. And because we speak honestly, youth respond. They ask for help, share their stories, and follow up.
Even just having someone hear them out can make a difference. And this is why Mrs. Boonto emphasizes the necessity of enhancing and expanding existing efforts by supporting more youth-led groups, volunteer networks, and community-based programmes. To support Ethiopia’s HIV response, we need to invest in the people who are already involved and encourage more young individuals to take on leadership roles. However, empowering youth and building community networks is just one part of a much larger equation. We also need to address the systemic barriers that still hold many people back. Having medical supplies alone will not solve the issue. Stigma and discrimination continue to prevent individuals from seeking care. Moreover, displacement, poverty, and fear prevent individuals from getting the help they need.
Overcoming these barriers takes more than just logistics or infrastructure; it requires trust, consistency, and care from people who understand the local realities. And of course, building that kind of system can be challenging. But, making that vision a reality needs political will and ongoing funding, both of which are currently in short supply. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health proposed a plan to tax workers to fund domestic HIV efforts. But the proposal stalled in parliament due to economic hardship and public pushback.
So, where does that leave us? It leaves us needing local innovation. It means empowering health extension workers with specialized HIV training. It means expanding safe digital platforms that meet young people where they are. It means scaling peer-led programs in universities and towns. It means fostering youth ownership and empowerment, transforming them from passive recipients into active participants who drive Ethiopia’s HIV response.
This won’t be solved by one ministry, one agency, or one donor. It will take collective action from local governments, community organizations, health professionals, educators, and young people to show up and move forward.
And finally, to Ethiopia’s youth:
You’re not just the spectators in this fight; you’re in the middle of it. As Mrs. Boonto made clear, the fight isn’t over. And it won’t be won without you. What we do now determines what comes next. Let’s not wait until it’s too late. So learn the facts, call out the silence, share what you know, support your friends, and stay curious.
Help bring the issue back into the spotlight.
Written by : – Bezawit Elias, Fourth Year Medical Student
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