Meaning of Reproductive Health

You have certainly heard the word Reproductive Health because it gets mentioned often, but very few people take time to fully break it down. What do these two words actually mean?

In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined reproductive health as a state of complete physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being related to the reproductive systems, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

This means that reproductive health encompasses more than just avoiding illness. It involves your reproductive system, its functions, and processes so that you can enjoy a safe and satisfying childhood, adolescence/puberty period, sexual life, and the freedom to make choices about reproduction. This includes your ability to:

• Reproduce when you choose to
• Decide how many children you want
• Determine how often you want to have children
• Have healthy pregnancies
• Experience safe childbirth
• Have Healthy adolescents
• Have health and joyful Menopause and Andropause

Reproductive health also guides you on how to maintain your reproductive well-being, prevent reproductive health problems, and access the information and services you need for a healthy life at every stage.

Why reproductive health knowledge is important for you.

Reproductive health knowledge helps you to appreciate and identify your reproductive health needs and problems in time and support your loved ones to attain and enjoy theirs too. The knowledge of reproductive health will specifically help you and your loved ones to:

• Avoid risky sexual behavior
• Take responsibility in ensuring that you have satisfying and safe sex life
• Prevent and control HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
• Prevent early and unwanted pregnancy
• Gain awareness of safe and effective contraceptive alternatives

• Exercise freedom to decide if, when and how often to have children
• Promote gender equality by ensuring unique needs of girls and women are met
• Limit pregnancy-related illnesses and death
• Seek appropriate health care services for expectant mothers

Stages of Human Reproductive Health

Reproductive health encompasses the entire cycle of human life, from conception to old age. Understanding these stages helps promote wellness, dignity, and support throughout life.

1. Preconception: Reproductive health begins even before conception. This stage involves relationships and sexual encounters that may lead to pregnancy. Key aspects include dating, marriage, menstrual health, and sexual health prior to conception.
2. Pregnancy Period: This stage covers the antenatal period, which is the care given to the mother from conception until labour begins. It is a crucial and sensitive time for the mother, unborn child, and family. Proper medical and professional care are essential to ensure health and safety.
3. Childbirth: Childbirth, also known as parturition or labour, is the process of delivering a baby. It is a critical reproductive event that requires medical and non-medical support to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
4. Early Childhood: This stage extends from birth up to around eight years old. It is vital for children to learn about themselves, including body awareness, personal boundaries, consent, hygiene, healthy growth, and respect for others. This foundation supports understanding of puberty, reproduction, relationships, and misinformation prevention later in life.
5. Adolescence and Puberty: Typically, between ages 10 and 19, this stage involves significant physical, emotional, and mental changes for both boys and girls. It is a formative period that influences future reproductive health and well-being.
6. Menopause and Andropause: Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, characterized by the cessation of menstruation. Similarly, andropause refers to age-related changes in men’s reproductive functions. Both stages signify the natural conclusion of fertility.

Reproductive health matters because it features in almost every aspect of life. It is also essential to understand and support individuals through all these life stages to promote wellness, dignity, and access to the care and understanding they deserve.

Key aspects of Reproductive Health

1. Sexuality: Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of a person’s reproductive health. It encompasses the way individuals experience life throughout their entire lifespan, including gender identity, biological makeup, physical and emotional feelings, relationships, values, and behaviors, among other factors. Sexuality is an intrinsic part of human nature, unique to each person, and capable of evolving over time. It is a broad term with diverse definitions that vary across different historical, cultural, religious, and social contexts.
2. Sexually transmitted Diseases/Infections (STD/Is: These are a wide range of illnesses transmitted primarily through sexual contact, either via bodily fluids or skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity with an infected person. STDs/STIs are caused by three main categories of agents: bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Common STDs/STIs include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), HIV, and Syphilis. Most bacterial STDs/STIs are curable if diagnosed early, while viral infections often require ongoing management. Some STDs/STIs may show no symptoms, making regular testing essential. Additionally, some infections like HIV can also be transmitted from mother to child or through blood contact.
3. Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: Beyond the physical, reproductive health carries a strong element of human rights and equality. The specific rights relevant to sexual and reproductive health as defined in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) include:
4. Right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.
5. The same right of men and women to marry only with their free and full consent.
6. Right of access to information regarding sexual and reproductive health.
7. Right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of one’s children and to have the information and means to do so.
8. Right of women to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, and violence.
9. Right to freedom from discrimination (on the basis of gender, marital status, age, race and ethnicity, health status/disability).
10. Right to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
11. Right to freedom from sexual violence against women and girls.
12. Right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, and to consent to experimentation.
13. Right to participation on matters and decision regarding your sexual reproductive health.
14. Right to privacy.
15. Right to education for girls and boys.
16. Right to life and survival.
17. Right to liberty and security of persons.

When individuals can exercise these rights, they are more confident, healthier, and better able to contribute positively to society.

• Sexual and Gender Based Violence e(SGBV). Thisrefers to any harmful act directed at individuals or groups based on their sex or gender. It includes a range of abusive behaviors such as sexual assault, defilement, rape, domestic violence, trafficking, harassment, and other forms of violence that exploit, dominate, or discriminate against people because of their gender identity or expression.

SGBV is a serious violation of human rights and can have profound physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors. Globally, women and girls as well as vulnerable persons like refugees and persons with disabilities are among the most affected or targeted with SGBV. Cultural and social norms are also considered as the most common drivers of SGBV.

• Reproductive Equity: This is the other common term that is used in relation to reproductive health. It refers to the fair and just access to reproductive health services, resources, and information for all individuals, regardless of their gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or geographic location. It is about being intentional to ensure and eliminate disparities and barriers that prevent people (especially vulnerable groups like women, girls, persons with disabilities, migrants/refuges) from exercising their reproductive rights and making informed choices about their reproductive health.

Therefore, reproductive equity promotes equality in reproductive opportunities and outcomes, ensuring that everyone can achieve their reproductive goals in a supportive and non-discriminatory environment.

Enjoying good reproductive health is by choice not chance. It requires conscious effort and care in everyday life.