Reproductive Health

What is Reproductive Health?

Reproductive health refers to the overall well-being and functioning of the reproductive system, encompassing both physical and mental aspects. It involves the ability to have a satisfying and safe sexual life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to make decisions regarding reproduction, including access to information and services related to sexual and reproductive health.

Table of Contents

Reproductive health encompasses various dimensions, including:

1. Sexual health: This refers to the physical, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. It involves having a positive and respectful approach to sexuality, free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. It also involves access to information and services for sexual and reproductive health, as well as the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

2. Family planning: This involves the ability to decide whether to have children, when to have them, and how many to have. Family planning methods and services help individuals and couples make informed choices about contraception and reproductive options, thereby promoting responsible parenthood and spacing of pregnancies.

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3. Maternal health: This focuses on the well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It includes access to prenatal care, skilled attendance at delivery, and postnatal care to ensure safe motherhood and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.

4. Safe abortion: Reproductive health acknowledges that safe and legal abortion services are essential for women’s health and well-being. Access to safe abortion, along with appropriate post-abortion care, helps prevent complications and maternal mortality associated with unsafe abortion practices.

5. Prevention and treatment of infertility: Reproductive health addresses the challenges faced by individuals and couples who experience difficulties in conceiving a child. It includes access to services for the diagnosis, treatment, and support related to infertility, including assisted reproductive technologies when needed.

6. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections: This involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections affecting the reproductive organs. It includes the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, which can have significant health consequences if left untreated.

7. Prevention and management of reproductive cancers: Reproductive health emphasizes the importance of early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancers affecting the reproductive organs, such as cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer.

Promoting reproductive health requires comprehensive approaches that address not only the physical aspects but also the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence individuals’ and communities’ well-being. It involves ensuring access to quality healthcare services, education, information, and resources to make informed decisions about reproductive matters, while respecting individuals’ rights and choices.

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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of reproductive disease or infirmity.

Reproductive health deals with the reproductive processes, functions and systems at all stages of life while nutrition is the sum total of the processes involved in taking in and utilization of food substances by which growth, repair and maintenance of the body are accomplished. It involves ingestion, digestion, absorption and assimilation.

Nutrients are stored by the body in different forms and drawn upon when the food intake is not sufficient.

For both men and women, optional nutrition plays a key role in reproductive health. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important, as being over or underweight can alter a woman’s hormone levels.
Eating a balanced diet is an important factor in achieving in vegetables, fruit and “good” fats and low in “bad” fats such as saturated and Trans fat and a “bad” carbohydrates such as sugary food, white bread etc. can promote reproductive health. In addition, prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients which can help improve a woman’s chance for conception and assure proper development of the embryo early in pregnancy.
For perspective fathers, healthy eating helps improve the chances of success.

MALNUTRITION

Malnutrition refers to the imbalance of nutrient intake due to the There are two side of malnutrition.

Under nutrition: this refers to a condition resulting from an inadequate intake of food or poor utilization of nutrients in food.
Over nutrition: this results from excessive consumption of one or more of the nutrients to the detriment of the proper functioning of the body system.