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Within the framework of the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of health as a state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes,
functions and system at all stages of life.[1] Reproductive health implies that people are able to have
a responsible, satisfying and safer sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and
the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. One interpretation of this implies that men
and women ought to be informed of and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable
methods of birth control; also access to appropriate health care services of sexual, reproductive
medicine and implementation of health education programs to stress the importance of women to go
safely through pregnancy and childbirth could provide couples with the best chance of having a
healthy infant.
Individuals do face inequalities in reproductive health services. Inequalities vary based on
socioeconomic status, education level, age, ethnicity, religion, and resources available in their
environment. It is possible for example, that low income individuals lack the resources for
appropriate health services and the knowledge to know what is appropriate for maintaining
reproductive health.[2]
 The WHO assessed in 2008 that "Reproductive and sexual ill-health accounts for 20% of the global
burden of ill-health for women, and 14% for men."[3] Reproductive health is a part of sexual and
reproductive health and rights.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), unmet needs for sexual and
reproductive health deprive women of the right to make "crucial choices about their own bodies and
futures", affecting family welfare. Women bear and usually nurture children, so their reproductive
health is inseparable from gender equality. Denial of such rights also worsens poverty.[4]
Reproductive health should be looked at through a lifecycle approach as it affects both men and
women from infancy to old age. According to UNFPA, reproductive health at any age profoundly
affects health later in life.[4] The lifecycle approach incorporates the challenges people face at
different times in their lives such as family planning, services to prevent sexually transmitted
diseases and early diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health illnesses. As such, services such
as health and education systems need to be strengthened and availability of essential health
supplies such as contraceptives and medicines must be supported.

Contents
[hide]

1Sexual health
2Childbearing and health
3Availability of modern contraception
4Female genital mutilation
5Sexually transmitted infections
6Adolescent health
7International Conference on Population and Development, 1994
8Millennium Development Goals
9Reproductive health and abortion
10See also
11References
12External links

Sexual health[edit]
A WHO working definition for sexual health is that it "is a state of physical, emotional, mental and
social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or
infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual
relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of
coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual
rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled."[5]However, while used by WHO as
well as other organizations, this is not an official WHO position, and should not be used or quoted as
a WHO definition.[5]
The programme of action (PoA) of the International Conference on Population and
Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994 was the first among international development frameworks to
address issues related to sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, and reproductive rights. The
PoA defined sexual health as, dealing with the enhancement of life and personal relations, not
merely counseling and care related to reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases.19 It refers to
the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being in ways that
are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication and love. [6]
Emerging research in the field of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) identifies a series of factors
that enhance the translation of research into policy and practice.[7] These include discursive changes
(creating spaces for public debate); content changes (to laws and practices); procedural changes
(influencing how data on SRH are collected) and behavioural changes (through partnerships with
civil society, advocacy groups and policy makers).[7]

Childbearing and health[edit]

See also: Maternal health and Family planning
Early childbearing and other behaviours can have health risks for women and their infants. Waiting
until a woman is at least 18 years old before trying to have children improves maternal and child
health.[8][9] If an additional child is to be conceived, it is considered healthier for the mother, as well as
for the succeeding child, to wait at least 2 years after the previous birth before attempting to concep
tion.[8] After a fetal fatality, it is healthier to wait at least 6 months.[8]
The WHO estimates that each year, 358 000 women die due to complications related to pregnancy
and childbirth; 99% of these deaths occur within the most disadvantaged population groups living in
the poorest countries of the world.[10] Most of these deaths can be avoided with improving women's
access to quality care from a skilled birth attendant before, during and after pregnancy and
childbirth.

Availability of modern contraception[edit]

Modern contraception is often unavailable in certain parts of the world. According to the WHO, about
222 million women worldwide have an unmet need for modern contraception, and the lack of access
to modern contraception is highest among the most disadvantaged population: the poor, those living
in rural areas and urban slums, those living with HIV, and those who are internally displaced.[11] In
developing parts of the world, the lack of access to contraception is a main cause of unintended
pregnancy, which is associated with poorer reproductive outcomes.[11] According to UNFPA, access
to contraceptive services for all women could prevent about one in three deaths related to pregnancy
and childbirth.[12]

Female genital mutilation[edit]

Prevalence of FGM by country, according to a 2013 UNICEF report[13]

Main article: Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision,
"comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or
other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons".[14][15]The practice is concentrated in
29 countries in Africa and the Middle East; and more than 125 million girls and women today are
estimated to have been subjected to FGM.[14] FGM also takes place in immigrant communities in
Western countries, such as the UK.[16]
FGM does not have any health benefits, and has negative effects on reproductive and sexual health,
including severe pain, shock, hemorrhage, tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection), urine retention,
open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue, recurrent bladder and urinary
tract infections, cysts, increased risk of infertility, childbirth complications and newborn deaths. FGM
procedures that seal or narrow a vaginal opening (known as type 3) lead to a need for future
surgeries of cutting open in order to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth.[14]
According to UNFPA, FGM violates human rights principles and standards including the principles
of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, the right to freedom from torture or cruel,
inhuman or degrading punishment, the right to the highest attainable standard of health, the rights of
the child, and the right to physical and mental integrity, and even the right to life, among others.[15]

Sexually transmitted infections[edit]

Estimated prevalence in % of HIV among young adults (1549) per country as of 2011.[17]

No data 15
<0.10 515
0.100.5 1550
0.51
Main article: Sexually transmitted infection
A sexually transmitted infection (STI)formerly called sexually transmitted disease (STD)
or venereal disease (VD)is an infection that has a significant likelihood of transmission between
humans by means of sexual activity. Common STIs
include chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis,
and trichomoniasis.[18][19]
Sexually transmitted infections affect reproductive and sexual health, having a profound negative
impact worldwide.[20] Programs aimed at preventing STIs include comprehensive sex education, STI
and HIV pre- and post-test counseling, safer sex/risk-reduction counseling, condom promotion, and
interventions targeted at key and vulnerable populations.[20] Having access to effective medical
treatment for STIs is very important.

Adolescent health[edit]
Teenage birth rate per 1,000 females aged 1519, 20002009[21]

Further information: Teenage pregnancy and Adolescent sexuality

Issues affecting adolescent reproductive and sexual health are similar to those of adults, but may
include additional concerns about teenage pregnancy and lack of adequate access to information
and health services. Worldwide, around 16 million adolescent girls give birth every year, mostly in
low- and middle-income countries.[22]The causes of teenage pregnancy are diverse. In developing
countries girls are often under pressure to marry young and bear children early (see child marriage).
Some adolescent girls do not know how to avoid becoming pregnant, are unable to obtain
contraceptives, or are coerced into sexual activity.[22] Adolescent pregnancy, especially in developing
countries, carries increased health risks, and contributes to maintaining the cycle of poverty.[23] The
availability and type of sex education for teenagers varies in different parts of the world. LGBT teens
may suffer additional problems if they live in places where homosexual activity is socially
disapproved and/or illegal; in extreme cases there can be depression, social isolation and
even suicide among LGBT youth.
UNFPA recommends Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as it enables young people to
make informed decisions about their sexuality.[24] According to the UNFPA, CSE should be taught by
introducing content which is age-appropriate to the capacities of young people over a span of
several years. The curriculum includes scientifically accurate information on physical development,
anatomy, pregnancy, contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. It
should encourage confidence and skills for communication topics include social issues around
sexuality and reproduction.[24]

International Conference on Population and Development,

1994[edit]
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was held in Cairo, Egypt, from
5 to 13 September 1994. Delegations from 179 States took part in negotiations to finalize a
Programme of Action on population and development for the next 20 years. Some 20,000 delegates
from various governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and the media gathered for a discussion of a
variety of population issues, including immigration, infant mortality, birth control, family planning, and
the education of women.
In the ICPD Program of Action, 'Reproductive health' is defined as:
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 its functions and processes.
Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and
that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do
so. Implicit in this last condition are the right of men and women to be informed [about] and to have
access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, as
well as other methods of birth control which are not against the law, and the right of access to
appropriate health-care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and
childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant.[25]

This definition of the term is also echoed in the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women,
or the so-called Beijing Declaration of 1995.[26] However, the ICPD Program of Action, even though it
received the support of a large majority of UN Member States, does not enjoy the status of an
international legal instrument; it is therefore not legally binding.
The Program of Action endorses a new strategy which emphasizes the numerous linkages between
population and development and focuses on meeting the needs of individual women and men rather
than on achieving demographic targets.[27] The ICPD achieved consensus on four qualitative and
quantitative goals for the international community, the final two of which have particular relevance for
reproductive health:

Reduction of maternal mortality: A reduction of maternal mortality rates and a narrowing of

disparities in maternal mortality within countries and between geographical regions, socio-
economic and ethnic groups.
Access to reproductive and sexual health services including family planning: Family
planning counseling, pre-natal care, safe delivery and post-natal care, prevention and
appropriate treatment of infertility, prevention of abortion and the management of the
consequences of abortion, treatment of reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted
diseases and other reproductive health conditions; and education, counseling, as appropriate,
on human sexuality, reproductive health and responsible parenthood. Services
regarding HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, infertility, delivery, hormone therapy, sex reassignment
therapy, and abortion should be made available. Active discouragement of female genital
mutilation (FGM).
The keys to this new approach are empowering women, providing them with more choices through
expanded access to education and health services, and promoting skill development and
employment. The programme advocates making family planning universally available by 2015 or
sooner, as part of a broadened approach to reproductive health and rights, provides estimates of the
levels of national resources and international assistance that will be required, and calls on
governments to make these resources available.

Millennium Development Goals[edit]

Achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015 is one of the two targets of Goal 5 -
Improving Maternal Health - of the eight Millennium Development Goals.[28] To monitor global
progress towards the achievement of this target, the United Nations has agreed on the following
indicators:

5.3: contraceptive prevalence rate

5.4: adolescent birth rate
5.5: antenatal care coverage
5.6: unmet need for family planning
According to the MDG Progress Report, regional statistics on all four indicators have either improved
or remained stable between the years 2000 and 2005.[29] However, progress has been slow in
most developing countries, particularly in Sub-saharan Africa, which remains the region with the
poorest indicators for reproductive health.[30] According to the WHO in 2005 an estimated 55% of
women do not have sufficient antenatal care and 24% have no access to family planning services.[30]

Reproductive health and abortion[edit]

An article from the World Health Organization calls safe, legal abortion a "fundamental right of
women, irrespective of where they live" and unsafe abortion a "silent pandemic".[31] The article states
"ending the silent pandemic of unsafe abortion is an urgent public-health and human-
rights imperative." It also states "access to safe abortion improves womens health, and vice versa,
as documented in Romaniaduring the regime of President Nicolae Ceauescu" and "legalisation of
abortion on request is a necessary but insufficient step toward improving womens health" citing that
in some countries, such as India where abortion has been legal for decades, access to competent
care remains restricted because of other barriers. WHOs Global Strategy on Reproductive Health,
adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2004, noted: As a preventable cause of maternal
mortality and morbidity, unsafe abortion must be dealt with as part of the MDG on improving
maternal health and other international development goals and targets." [32] The WHO's Development
and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), whose research concerns people's sexual
and reproductive health and lives,[33] has an overall strategy to combat unsafe abortion that
comprises four inter-related activities:[32]