Reproductive Health includes sexual health and satisfying sexual life and a healthy capability to reproduce. It is a complete physical, mental, and social well-being and it does not mean any absence of disease or abnormality in the reproductive system. It deals with the functioning of the reproductive system at all stages.
Reproductive Health
Reproductive health refers to “the state of mental, physical and social well beings which is the matter related to the reproductive system”. It doesn’t mean that there is an absence of diseases or fertility but it generally refers to a happy and satisfying personal life. It consists of the capacity and freedom to reproduce when it is been decided which means maintaining a safe and satisfying sexual life.
Objectives of Reproductive Health
The main objectives of Reproductive Health are as follows:
- It is used to enhance the prevention of diseases that can affect maternal health.
- It helps people who are living in rural areas to access reproductive health services.
- It is used to broaden the human resource capacities of health centers, government, communities, and so on.
Components of Reproductive Health
Some of the components of reproductive health are mentioned below:
- Family Planning: It is defined by the World Health Organization family planning is the ability between couples to attain the desired number of children and the spacing of birth between the first and second child by using contraceptive methods and also from the treatment of involuntary infertility.
- Maternal Health: The women who are in the prenatal and postnatal stages should get medical treatment as well as the women who are in the course of pregnancy. Also, girls who are unaware of the menstrual cycle and healthy relationships should get proper education about these matters.
- Sexual Health: Contraception is not only used to prevent unwanted pregnancy but also protects against sexually transmitted infections.
Importance of Reproductive Health
A lifestyle that was not healthy in the past years can affect general health apart from sexual and reproductive health. By practicing safe sex one could avoid sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Reproductive health and preconception care are somehow related to each other.
Life Cycle Stages in Reproductive Health
Some of the stages of the life cycle in reproductive health are as follows:
- Infant or childhood stage (0-9 years of age): Sex selection which results in foeticide, discriminatory nutrition, and female genital mutilation are some of the aspect of childhood stages of the life cycle.
- Adolescence (10-19 years of age): Some of the major concerns of adolescence age are- abortion, early marriage, abuse, violence, contracting infectious diseases, and childbearing at this age.
- Reproductive Period (15-45 and above years of age): Some of the concerns at this age are – forced marriage and unplanned pregnancy, infertility, malnutrition, complications in pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease.
- Post Reproductive Period (above 45 years): In this period the disease which may arise are – cardiovascular diseases, dysfunction, osteoporosis, diabetes, menopause, and infertility.
Reproductive Health Problems
Some of the common reproductive health problems are:
- Overpopulation.
- Early marriages before attaining puberty are increasing health issues due to illiteracy.
- Increased mortality rates of infants and mothers due to poor medical services.
- Deformities.
Strategies Used for the Awareness of Reproductive Health
Following are some strategies used to improve Reproductive Health:
- Sex education should be given by schools in the early stages of life.
- Couples should be educated about family planning and controlling unwanted pregnancies by introducing them to the various methods of birth control.
- Medical facilities should be provided related to pregnancy, contraception, and menstrual problems.
- Some evil practices like Female infanticide need to be prevented. To prevent this crime a legal ban has been put on Amniocentesis Test.
FAQs on Reproductive Health
1. What do you mean by Reproductive Health?
Answer:
Reproductive health is defined as the state of mental, physical, and social well beings which is related to the reproductive system and the health of the individual.
2. How many life stages are there in Reproductive Health?
Answer:
There are four stages of life cycle in reproductive health which are as follows:
- Infant or childhood stage
- Adolescence period
- Reproductive Period
- Post Reproductive Period
3. Write about the importance of Reproductive Health.
Answer:
Reproductive health is maintained by practicing safe sex which avoids sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Reproductive health and preconception care are related to each other.
4. Write about the two precautions which are needed for the awareness of Reproductive Health?
Answer:
The two precaution which are needed for the awareness of Reproductive Health are:
- Medical facilities should be provided related to pregnancy, contraception and menstrual problems.
- Sex education should be given by the schools in their early stages of life.