The medical relevance of human sexuality differed greatly over time. While the antique concept of humoral pathology explained the importance of dietetically moderated “lust” with its physiological relevance to health, especially psychiatrically oriented concepts of “sexuality” since the late 18th century concentrated on “ailments” such as “onanism” and “homosexuality”. Deviant sexual behaviour was considered a sign of societal “degeneration”. In democratic societies, “sexual liberation” has only gained ground since the end of the 20th century. However, recent scandals on sexual assault and abuse show the ambivalent circumstances men and women, children and adults are confronted with. Michel Foucault’s studies on the history of sexuality gave valuable theoretical stimuli; yet further research in the field should focus on the history of everyday life, geographically and culturally reaching beyond Europe. Future research should therefore pay more attention to the medical history of sexuality, in order to contribute to interdisciplinary as well as social historical analyses.