What is Reproductive Health?
Reproduction health definition put forward by Public Health England is “a state of physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system”.
The ambit of reproductive and sexual health also includes the freedom and capacity to reproduce when and how one decides, apart from maintaining a “satisfying and safe sex life”.
Components of Reproductive Health
Reproductive health meaning covers the following components –
Family Planning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined family planning as “the ability of individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility”.
Pregnancy and fertility are among the prevalent factors of family planning. Successful pregnancy between 25 to 34 years of age has become a major concern in the present days.
Sexual Health
Usage of contraception is not only a key factor in preventing unwanted pregnancy but also protects against sexually transmitted infection. STIs are the major risk factors for the reproductive health of both men and women. While HIV is much harder to treat, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be easily prevented and treated.
Maternal Health
Women should have access to medical care in the course of pregnancy as well as in the prenatal and postnatal stages.
Apart from these major components, various aspects such as menstrual cycle, healthy relationships along with choice and safety are critical pillars of reproductive health.
Did You Know?
Close to 12 million girls between 15-19 years and approximately 777,000 girls below 15 years give birth every year in developing regions of the world. Among these, at least 10 million are unintended pregnancies. The complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the main cause for death of adolescent girls across the world.
Life Cycle Approach in Reproductive Health
In determining what is reproductive health, it is important to take note of the life cycle approach.
The different stages in the reproductive health life cycle are –
Infancy and Childhood (0 - 9 years)
The different aspects of reproductive health during infancy and childhood are – sex selection (resulting in foeticide), female genital mutilation, discriminatory nutrition and healthcare.
Adolescence (10 – 19 years)
The concerns about reproductive health in the adolescence period are – physiological changes, early marriage and childbearing, abortion, contracting an infectious disease (AIDS/sexually transmitted infections), anaemia, sexual orientation, abuse or violence and gender discrimination.
Reproductive Period (15 – 45+ years)
The problems are – forced marriage, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, malnutrition, pregnancy complications, child-raising, violence and abuse, among others.
Post-Reproductive Period (45+ years onwards)
In the post-reproductive period, there are other physical ailments that may come up apart from reproductive health. Those include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis/osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, diabetes, infertility and menopause, etc.
Importance of Reproductive Health
Reproductive system is perhaps the most fragile in human bodies. Unhealthy lifestyle in earlier years can wreak havoc on general health, apart from sexual and reproductive health. The major problem that arises is with respect to fertility.
Preconception care and reproductive health are intrinsically linked. Fertility and associated health concerns are better addressed by practising safe sex, which prevents unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Measures Taken for the Awareness of Reproductive Health
By now you might have know how crucial is to maintain the proper reproductive health, here are the list of some measures taken by various government to spread awareness of the reproductive measures are as follows -
In India, the family planning programmes have been working since 1951 in order to spread awareness about family planning. Reproductive and Child Healthcare (RCH) programmes was the improved version of the previous family planning programmes.
In schools, providing sex education to the student in their early life, can be helpful in preventning them to experiment with their sexuall organs and harming them.
Couples should be educated about the various birth control options and also about the care that needs to be taken in the process of pregnancies.
Implementation of action plans to provide various medical facilities and medical assistance to take care of different reproduction related issues like Pregnancy, STDs, contraception and menstrual problems.
Test Your Knowledge
i. How do oral contraceptive pills help in birth control?
(a) Preventing ovulation
(b) Killing ova
(c) Killing sperms
(d) Creating a barrier between sperms and ova
ii. Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) mixes sperm and egg in the ___________
(a) Culture medium
(b) Fallopian tube
(c) Vagina
(d) Uterus
Solutions: i. (a) Preventing ovulation, ii. (b) Fallopian tube
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FAQs on Reproductive Health
1. What is reproductive health as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO)?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. This implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.
2. What are the key strategies of India's Reproductive and Child Healthcare (RCH) programme?
The Reproductive and Child Healthcare (RCH) programme in India aims to create a reproductively healthy society. Its key strategies include:
- Creating awareness among people about various reproduction-related aspects, such as STIs, contraception, and menstrual hygiene, through governmental and non-governmental agencies.
- Providing medical facilities and support for reproduction-related problems like pregnancy, childbirth, STIs, abortions, contraception, and infertility.
- Introducing sex education in schools to provide accurate information and discourage myths and misconceptions about sex-related issues.
- Promoting research on new and effective contraceptive methods.
3. Why is maintaining good reproductive health considered important for an individual and society?
Maintaining good reproductive health is crucial for several reasons. For an individual, it ensures a safe and responsible reproductive life, prevents life-threatening Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and allows for planned pregnancies. For society, it leads to healthier families, controlled population growth, and reduced maternal and infant mortality rates. A reproductively healthy society is a key indicator of overall community health and development.
4. What is the fundamental difference between natural and barrier methods of contraception?
The fundamental difference lies in their mechanism of action. Natural methods, like periodic abstinence or the rhythm method, work on the principle of avoiding intercourse during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle to prevent the meeting of ovum and sperm. They have no side effects but have a higher failure rate. In contrast, barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms, physically block the entry of sperm into the female reproductive tract, thus preventing fertilisation. They also offer the added benefit of protection against STIs.
5. How do Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs) function as an effective contraceptive method?
Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs) are inserted by medical professionals into the uterus. Their contraceptive action works in multiple ways depending on the type:
- Non-medicated IUDs (e.g., Lippes loop) increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus.
- Copper-releasing IUDs (e.g., CuT, Cu7) release copper ions that suppress sperm motility and their fertilising capacity.
- Hormone-releasing IUDs (e.g., Progestasert, LNG-20) make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to sperm.
6. What is the difference between amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)?
Both amniocentesis and CVS are prenatal diagnostic techniques used to detect genetic abnormalities in a foetus, but they differ in timing and the sample collected. Amniocentesis involves withdrawing a small amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus, usually between 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) involves taking a tissue sample from the chorionic villi of the placenta and can be performed earlier, typically between 10-13 weeks. While CVS provides earlier results, it carries a slightly higher risk of complications compared to amniocentesis.
7. What is Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP), and why is it legally regulated in India?
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP), or induced abortion, is the intentional termination of a pregnancy before the foetus becomes viable. In India, MTP is legally regulated under the MTP Act of 1971 (amended in 2021). The strict legal framework is crucial for two main reasons:
- To prevent indiscriminate and illegal female foeticides, which has a severe impact on the societal sex ratio.
- To ensure that abortions are performed by qualified medical professionals under safe and hygienic conditions, reducing the risk of complications and maternal mortality.
8. How do Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) like IVF differ from ZIFT?
While both are forms of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), the key difference between In Vitro Fertilisation-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) and Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT) is the stage of development and location of transfer. In IVF, fertilisation occurs outside the body in a lab ('in vitro'). The resulting embryo is then cultured for a few days before being transferred directly into the uterus. In ZIFT, fertilisation also occurs outside the body, but the resulting zygote (or very early embryo) is transferred into the mother's fallopian tube, not the uterus, allowing it to travel to the uterus naturally for implantation.
9. What is a common misconception about oral contraceptive pills?
A common misconception is that oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) cause permanent infertility or are harmful to future pregnancies. In reality, OCPs work by temporarily preventing ovulation through hormonal regulation. Once a woman stops taking the pills, her normal menstrual cycle and fertility typically return within a few months. Modern OCPs have very low hormonal doses and are considered safe for most women under medical supervision. They do not have a long-term negative impact on the ability to conceive later.
