Women’s Reproductive and Health

The reproductive system is a delicate part of the body that needs to be taken care of. Taking proper measures and having regular checkups helps in keeping the reproductive system healthy.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This is what gives rise to the concept of reproductive and health.

Definition

Reproductive health is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to sexuality and reproduction. It includes having a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce and the freedom to choose if, when and how often to do so. It also includes having access to effective methods of birth control and quality healthcare that allows people to have a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery and to avoid sexually transmitted infections.

In the context of human rights, reproductive health focuses on women’s right to self-determination and choice, as recognised by international conventions and consensus documents. It also involves gender equality, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

Reproductive Health publishes research on all aspects of human reproductive health, from adolescent sexual health to gynaecological and obstetric topics and issues that impact them. Articles are open access, meaning they can be read and cited free of charge.

Impact

Reproductive health includes the right to a healthy sexual life, the ability to go through pregnancy and childbirth without harm, and fertility regulation. It also entails the right to practice and enjoy sexual relationships, whether as partners or parents.

Reproduction and health is not just about the people directly affected, but is a critical issue for society as a whole. The inability to control one’s own fertility can erode women’s ability to invest in education and work, which ultimately affects their economic empowerment, as well as the sustainability of human societies and the balance between humans and nature.

Improvements in reproductive health are also linked to improved economic empowerment, including higher levels of education and labor force participation, reduced adolescent childbearing, more efficient use of resources, and lower poverty rates. Further research is needed to explore pathways to this effect, however. Prior studies have outlined the importance of incorporating a woman’s ability to choose if and when she wants to have children into discussions about her economic empowerment.

Prevention

The prevention of reproductive and health problems can be achieved by ensuring that people have access to reliable information about sexual and reproductive processes, methods of contraception, STIs and HIV and are able to choose the method of birth control that is most appropriate for them. In addition, men and women should be able to access the necessary services to ensure healthy pregnancies and births, safe abortions and effective treatment for sexually transmitted infections and cancers that affect the reproductive organs.

This approach, which was endorsed by the world government community at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, has implications for resource allocation at national and international levels as well as for the organization of health care systems. It emphasizes that reproductive health is an integrated package and that improvements in one element of the package may lead to improvement in others. The concept of integration also reflects the fact that reproductive and health issues often overlap with broader gynecological and obstetrical concerns.

Treatment

VA women’s health primary care providers are trusted partners to discuss sensitive topics, such as sexually transmitted infections, contraception, puberty and fertility, teen pregnancy, maternity care coordination, menopause and more.

Diseases of the reproductive system are any problems that affect a woman’s or a man’s ovaries, testicles and other hormone-producing organs (see human endocrine system). These include genetic or congenital abnormalities, infections, tumours and disorders of unknown cause.

To get the best treatment for your symptoms, see a doctor who specializes in reproductive disorders or diseases, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and reduced fertility. To help your doctor evaluate your symptoms, make a list of your medications, vitamins and herbs you take. Also, bring a copy of your medical history.

Make a return to the main page…