4 Reproduction
4.4 Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health
Dr V Malathi
Reproductive health encompasses all aspects of an individual’s physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than just the lack of illness or disability, with regard to the reproductive system and all of its operations. Reproductive health suggests that individuals can have fulfilling and safe sexual relationships, reproduce, and have the autonomy to choose if, when, and how frequently to do so (as defined by WHO).
Reproductive health entails the healthy operation of hormone-producing glands and reproductive organs, such as the testicles in men and the ovaries in women
Female Reproductive Health:
This Includes conditions like menstrual health, pregnancy, and menopause.
Menstrual health
Menstrual health is refers to a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle. It includes access to information, education, and products, as well as the ability to participate in all aspects of life.
Numerous factors can impact menstrual health, such as:
- Lack of resources : Access to menstruation products and facilities may be restricted by poverty.
- Taboos in culture : Menstruation goods and facilities may be difficult for some people to access due to cultural taboos.
- Absence of essential services :Access to menstruation goods and facilities may be restricted by the absence of basic amenities like sanitary products and bathrooms.
According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme 2012, menstrual hygiene management is defined as:
“Women and adolescent girls are using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. They understand the basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without discomfort or fear.”
Serious health risks due to poor menstrual hygiene include reproductive and urinary tract infections which can result in future infertility and birth complications.
Studies by Benshaul Tolonen et al. 2019 and Phillips-Howard et al. 2016 had found that giving out sanitary pads to girls leads to a significant reduction in sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis .The lack of means for hygienic management of menstruation can cause discomfort and psychological stress in women. Promoting menstrual health and hygiene is an important for safeguarding women’s dignity, privacy, bodily integrity, and, consequently, their self efficacy.
Family planning/contraception methods
Women who use contraception avoid health risks associated with pregnancy. Infant mortality risk increases by 60% for children born within two years of an older sibling and by 10% for those born within two to three years, when compared to those born three years or later.Oral contraceptive tablets, implants, injectables, patches, vaginal rings, intrauterine devices, condoms, male and female sterilization, lactational amenorrhea techniques, withdrawal, and fertility awareness-based techniques are some of the contraceptive methods available. The efficiency and mechanisms of action of these techniques vary when it comes to avoiding unplanned pregnancies.
Common issues of Female Reproductive System
Endometriosis : Endometriosis is a complicated illness that affects a large number of women worldwide from the time of their menarche until menopause. Endometriosis occurs when tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. It can make getting pregnant more difficult and result in excruciating pelvic pain.
Development is assumed to be influenced by a wide range of circumstances like :
- Retrograde menstruation : where menstrual blood including endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity.
- Cellular metaplasia : Cells outside the uterus change into endometrial-like cells and start to grow.
- Estrogen : which increases the inflammation, growth and pain associated with the disease
Increased knowledge, together with prompt diagnosis and treatment, may be able to lessen the long-term effects of Endometriosis symptoms. There’s no treatment as of yet.
Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS) : PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a prevalent hormonal disorder affecting women . The onset of PCOS commonly occurs in adolescence. The symptoms of PCOS are hormonal abnormalities, irregular periods, high testosterone levels, and ovarian cysts . Unusual menstrual cycles typically accompanied by insufficient ovulation, can pose challenges to conceiving . Other symptoms include:
- acne or oily skin
- excessive hair on the face or body
- male-pattern baldness or hair thinning
- weight gain, especially around the belly.
PCOS is a chronic illness, there is no known cure. On the other hand, medication, lifestyle modifications, and fertility treatments can all help with some symptoms. PCOS has no established cause, women who have type 2 diabetes or a family history are more susceptible.
People with PCOS are more likely to have other health conditions including:
- type 2 diabetes
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
- endometrial cancer
There is no cure for PCOS, but treatments can improve symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes : Eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise
- Birth control medicines or contraceptive pill : can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce symptoms.
- Surgery : to stimulate regular ovulation.
Uterine fibroids : Tumors that develop in a woman’s womb (uterus) are called uterine fibroids. Most of the time, these growths are benign (not malignant) and do not progress to malignancy. Symptoms may include pain during sex, back ache, heavy menstrual bleeding, and frequent urination. Larger fibroids may require surgery or medication for therapy, although smaller fibroids frequently don’t.Fibroids can grow as a single nodule (one growth) or in a cluster. Clusters of fibroids can range in size from 1 millimeter to more than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in diameter or even larger.
Risk factors for uterine fibroids are :
- Obesity and a higher Body mass index( BMI)
- Family history of fibroids.
- Not having children.
- Early onset of menstruation
- Late age for menopause
Common issues of Male reproductive system
- Erectile dysfunction : The inability to consistently get or sustain a penile erection strong enough for satisfying sexual performance is known as erectile dysfunction. The common risk factors may include : Prostate problems, Type 2 Diabetes ,Hypogonadism and other endocrinologic conditions ,Hypertension, Vascular disease/surgery, High levels of blood cholesterol, Low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein), Chronic sleep disorders ,Drugs, Neurogenic disorders , Peyronie’s disease (distortion or curvature of the penis),Priapism (inflammation of the penis),Depression, Alcohol use and smoking ( exacerbates the effects of other risk factors, such as vascular disease or hypertension).
2. Low sperm count : known as oligospermia, is a condition of low concentration of sperm in semen. The count may be fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, or fewer than 39 million sperm total per ejaculate. The main cause for oligospermia are genetic abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, infections, environmental toxins, heat, drugs, and more.
3. Prostate Health :
The prostate is prone to three main conditions:
- Prostatitis:infection or inflammation of the prostate.Acute prostatitis and chronic prostatitis are the two primary varieties. An infection, typically caused by bacteria, causes acute prostatitis, which manifests as an abrupt onset of painful urination, a short stream, and frequently fever and chills. Chronic prostatitis, often known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is a less well defined disorder. Its symptoms can include burning or pain when urinating, increasing urges to urinate, trouble emptying their bladders, painful ejaculation, and/or persistent or recurrent pelvic discomfort. Either an infection or a persistent inflammation may be the root cause.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Commonly called enlarged prostate is a aging-related enlargement of the prostate gland. The urethra, which transports urine from the bladder to the penis, is effectively pinched off when the prostate grows in size, placing additional strain on the bladder’s muscular walls and making urination difficult.
- Prostate cancer:the growth of cancerous cells inside the prostate.Obesity, family history, and advanced age are the risk factors. Urinary incontinence can result from prostate cancer as well as its treatment. Prostate cancer and its therapies, such as surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy, can cause erectile dysfunction.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
Sexually transmitted infections are the source of sexually transmitted Diseases (STDs) (STIs).The main method of transmission is through sexual interaction. STIs are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Through sexual contact, more than 30 distinct germs, viruses, and parasites have been documented to spread. Vaginal secretions, blood, and semen are examples of biological fluids that might transmit an STD. Non-sexual methods can also infrequently be used to spread sexually transmitted illnesses. For example, STIs can spread to babies during pregnancy or childbirth. Furthermore, STIs can spread through obtaining blood transfusions or sharing needles. The highest prevalence of STIs is associated with eight infections. Of them, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and syphilis are the four that are currently treatable. The remaining four are caused by viruses: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV)
STI symptoms might include:
- Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area.
- Painful or burning urination.
- Discharge from the penis.
- Unusual or odorous vaginal discharge.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding.
- Pain during sex.
- Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread.
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Rash over the trunk, hands or feet.
Symptoms of STI may appear a few days after exposure.However, depending on what’s causing the STI, it can take years before having any notable symptoms.
STI treatment
For a number of STIs, there is currently effective treatment available. Most STIs can be treated with current single-dose antibiotic regimens, including one parasitic (trichomoniasis) and three bacterial (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis).
The best treatments currently available for HIV and herpes are antivirals, which slow the progression of the illness but are unable to reverse it. Antivirals for hepatitis B can aid in battling the virus and reducing liver damage.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors influence on Reproductive Health
Environmental factors can significantly impact reproductive health such as :
Pollution: The results of conception and pregnancy can be impacted by exposure to pollutants such as heavy metals and particulate matter. Chemicals such as industrial pollution and pesticides can upset the hormonal balance . Endocrine Disruptors such as chemicals in pesticides, personal care items, and plastics (such as Bisphenol A ,BPA) can disrupt hormone function.
Occupational Hazards: Working in certain industries exposes people to substances that are damaging to their reproductive systems.
Radiation: Regular exposure to radiation during medical procedures , including X-rays, can affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Extended exposure to high radiation levels in the environment can potentially be dangerous.
Factors related to lifestyle include :
Nutrition and Diet: A balanced diet is crucial for preserving hormonal equilibrium and general reproductive health.
Infertility problems and irregular menstrual cycles can result from both obesity and malnutrition.
Exercise: Frequent exercise improves reproductive health by promoting a healthy weight and lowering stress. Overexercise may cause irregular menstruation and hormonal abnormalities.
Smoking: Raises the chance of pregnancy problems and lowers fertility.
Drugs and alcohol: May have a deleterious effect on menstrual health and sperm quality.
Persistent Stress: Can cause hormone imbalances.
Watch the video on Menstruation and Reproductive Health from TicTacLearn English
Find the words related to reproductive health from the grid
