CHAPTER FIVE
SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Sexual and reproductive health
The term ‘sexual and reproductive health’ can be defined as a person’s right to a healthy body
and the autonomy, education and healthcare to freely decide who to have sex with and how to
avoid sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancy. Sexual health is an integral part
of overall health and well-being, ensuring everyone can have pleasurable and safe sexual
experiences, free of coercion, discrimination or health risks.
Access to sexual and reproductive health services enable people to exercise this right. It can take
the form of medical care related to the reproductive system, for example, to treat a sexually
transmitted infection, or the facilitation of reproductive autonomy with the provision of
contraception and abortion care.
Importance of reproductive health
Reproductive health is crucial for individuals, families, and societies, as it encompasses a range
of issues related to sexual health, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and family planning. Here are
several key reasons why reproductive health is important:
i. Physical well-being: Reproductive health is essential for maintaining physical well-being
throughout the lifespan. Access to reproductive healthcare services, including preventive
screenings, contraception, and maternal healthcare, helps individuals manage their
reproductive health needs and address any health issues that may arise. This includes
preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs), managing chronic
conditions affecting reproductive health, and promoting healthy pregnancies and
childbirth.
ii. Promotion of sexual health: Reproductive health is closely linked to sexual health, which
encompasses physical, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. Promoting sexual
health involves providing accurate information and education about sexual development,
relationships, consent, and sexual behavior. Access to sexual health services, including
counseling, contraception, and STI testing and treatment, supports individuals in making
informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive lives and fosters positive sexual
experiences.
iii. Prevention of unintended pregnancies: Access to contraception and family planning
services is essential for preventing unintended pregnancies and supporting individuals in
achieving their reproductive goals. By providing a range of contraceptive options and
information about family planning, reproductive health services empower individuals to
make choices about when and if to have children, leading to improved maternal and child
health outcomes, reduced rates of unintended pregnancies, and greater economic and
social opportunities for individuals and families.
, iv. Maternal and child health: Reproductive health plays a critical role in promoting maternal
and child health by ensuring safe pregnancies, childbirth, and postnatal care. Access to
prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal support
services helps reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, prevent pregnancy-related
complications, and improve newborn health outcomes. Comprehensive reproductive
healthcare services contribute to healthier pregnancies, safer childbirth experiences, and
better health outcomes for mothers and babies.
v. Gender equality and empowerment: Reproductive health is closely tied to gender equality
and women's empowerment. Access to reproductive healthcare services, including
contraception, maternal healthcare, and safe abortion services, enables women and girls
to control their reproductive lives, make informed decisions about their bodies, and
exercise their reproductive rights. By promoting gender equality in access to healthcare,
education, and economic opportunities, reproductive health contributes to women's
empowerment, social justice, and sustainable development.
vi. Population health and development: Reproductive health is a fundamental component of
population health and development. By ensuring healthy and planned pregnancies,
preventing maternal and child deaths, and promoting family planning, reproductive health
contributes to population stabilization, economic development, and social well-being.
Investments in reproductive healthcare services and programs yield significant returns in
terms of improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced productivity
and prosperity for societies as a whole.
Structure of reproductive system
Diseases of reproductive system
The reproductive system can be affected by various diseases and conditions that can impact
fertility, sexual health, and overall well-being. Here are some common diseases and conditions
that affect the reproductive system:
i. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):- STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis,
genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV) can affect the reproductive organs and
cause symptoms such as genital sores, discharge, pain during urination, and pelvic pain.
If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious complications such as infertility, pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and certain types of cancer.
ii. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID):- PID is an infection of the female reproductive
organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is most commonly caused by
untreated sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID can
cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, fever, and painful
intercourse. If left untreated, PID can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic
pregnancy.
iii. Endometriosis: - Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the
inside of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries,
fallopian tubes, or pelvic organs. Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as pelvic pain,
SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Sexual and reproductive health
The term ‘sexual and reproductive health’ can be defined as a person’s right to a healthy body
and the autonomy, education and healthcare to freely decide who to have sex with and how to
avoid sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancy. Sexual health is an integral part
of overall health and well-being, ensuring everyone can have pleasurable and safe sexual
experiences, free of coercion, discrimination or health risks.
Access to sexual and reproductive health services enable people to exercise this right. It can take
the form of medical care related to the reproductive system, for example, to treat a sexually
transmitted infection, or the facilitation of reproductive autonomy with the provision of
contraception and abortion care.
Importance of reproductive health
Reproductive health is crucial for individuals, families, and societies, as it encompasses a range
of issues related to sexual health, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and family planning. Here are
several key reasons why reproductive health is important:
i. Physical well-being: Reproductive health is essential for maintaining physical well-being
throughout the lifespan. Access to reproductive healthcare services, including preventive
screenings, contraception, and maternal healthcare, helps individuals manage their
reproductive health needs and address any health issues that may arise. This includes
preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs), managing chronic
conditions affecting reproductive health, and promoting healthy pregnancies and
childbirth.
ii. Promotion of sexual health: Reproductive health is closely linked to sexual health, which
encompasses physical, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. Promoting sexual
health involves providing accurate information and education about sexual development,
relationships, consent, and sexual behavior. Access to sexual health services, including
counseling, contraception, and STI testing and treatment, supports individuals in making
informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive lives and fosters positive sexual
experiences.
iii. Prevention of unintended pregnancies: Access to contraception and family planning
services is essential for preventing unintended pregnancies and supporting individuals in
achieving their reproductive goals. By providing a range of contraceptive options and
information about family planning, reproductive health services empower individuals to
make choices about when and if to have children, leading to improved maternal and child
health outcomes, reduced rates of unintended pregnancies, and greater economic and
social opportunities for individuals and families.
, iv. Maternal and child health: Reproductive health plays a critical role in promoting maternal
and child health by ensuring safe pregnancies, childbirth, and postnatal care. Access to
prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal support
services helps reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, prevent pregnancy-related
complications, and improve newborn health outcomes. Comprehensive reproductive
healthcare services contribute to healthier pregnancies, safer childbirth experiences, and
better health outcomes for mothers and babies.
v. Gender equality and empowerment: Reproductive health is closely tied to gender equality
and women's empowerment. Access to reproductive healthcare services, including
contraception, maternal healthcare, and safe abortion services, enables women and girls
to control their reproductive lives, make informed decisions about their bodies, and
exercise their reproductive rights. By promoting gender equality in access to healthcare,
education, and economic opportunities, reproductive health contributes to women's
empowerment, social justice, and sustainable development.
vi. Population health and development: Reproductive health is a fundamental component of
population health and development. By ensuring healthy and planned pregnancies,
preventing maternal and child deaths, and promoting family planning, reproductive health
contributes to population stabilization, economic development, and social well-being.
Investments in reproductive healthcare services and programs yield significant returns in
terms of improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced productivity
and prosperity for societies as a whole.
Structure of reproductive system
Diseases of reproductive system
The reproductive system can be affected by various diseases and conditions that can impact
fertility, sexual health, and overall well-being. Here are some common diseases and conditions
that affect the reproductive system:
i. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):- STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis,
genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV) can affect the reproductive organs and
cause symptoms such as genital sores, discharge, pain during urination, and pelvic pain.
If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious complications such as infertility, pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and certain types of cancer.
ii. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID):- PID is an infection of the female reproductive
organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is most commonly caused by
untreated sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID can
cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, fever, and painful
intercourse. If left untreated, PID can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic
pregnancy.
iii. Endometriosis: - Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the
inside of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries,
fallopian tubes, or pelvic organs. Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as pelvic pain,
