Reproductive Health Lecture

REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH
ROGEL EDRADA RN MAN
We cannot confront the massive
challenges of poverty, hunger,
disease and environmental
destruction unless we address
issues of population and
reproductive health
Sexual and reproductive health
◦ Sexual health. In broad terms, sexual health is a personal sense of sexual well
being as well as the absence of disease, infections or illness associated with
sexual behavior. As such, it includes issues of self-esteem, self expression,
caring for others and cultural values. Sexual health can be described as the
positive integration of physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of
sexuality. Sexuality influences thoughts, feelings, interactions and actions
among human beings, and motivates people to find love, contact, warmth and
intimacy. It can be expressed in many different ways and is closely linked to
the environment one finds oneself in. The environment can hinder or enhance
sexual expressions.
What is meant by reproductive health?
◦ The WHO defines reproductive health as a state of complete

physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions
and processes. This definition suggests that people with adequate reproductive
health have a satisfying and safe sexual life, can have children, and can make a
choice as to whether they would like to have children and if so, when and how
to have them.
◦ Reproductive health implies that people are able to have a responsible,
satisfying, healthy reproductive system 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 should be informed of and 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.
Normal adolescent development.
◦ Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. It
begins with the biological changes associated with puberty and proceeds
through a process of psychosocial changes. Each aspect of maturation does not
develop at the same rate. Development in adolescence can be uneven and
deviations from the norm can cause alarm in the adolescents and those around
them. The general information below will give you an understanding of the
importance of sexual reproductive health among street children, most of whom
are in this phase of development.
Why is reproductive health education
important?
◦ The main objectives of increasing awareness for reproductive health are:
• It helps in educating every youth about sexual and reproductive health.
• It creates awareness among adolescents about safe sexual practices.
• It helps in preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
• It protects both the mother and the child from infectious diseases and to deliver a
healthy baby.
• It provides complete knowledge about the early pregnancy, infertility, birth control
methods, pregnancy, post-childbirth care of the baby and mother, etc.
PUBERTY
◦ Puberty refers to the sequence of physical events by which a child

is transformed into a young adult. The characteristic physical
changes include those in the reproductive organs and the external
genitalia in both sexes, breast development and hip enlargement in
the female, facial hair growth and change in voice-pitch in the
male. Puberty leads to menarche (onset of menstrual flow) in
females and to the onset of ejaculation (of seminal fluid) in males.
Identity
◦ Adolescents select characteristics from many people,- peers,

parents, teachers, relatives, religious leaders and famous people.
They blend certain of these people’s features with their own
characteristics to become a unique new person. The new person or
identity is not one’s final self, but it forms the basis of what one
will become. If adolescents manage to work through the
contradictions of this process they will develop positive and healthy
feelings towards themselves.
Sexuality
◦ The advent of sexuality and the need to manage it in some way are
major features of the adolescent experience. Uncertainty, conflict
and a struggle often accompany the awakening of sexual feelings
over appropriate avenues of expression. Cultural factors also play
an important role in the psychosocial aspects of adolescent
development and in the sexual conduct and meaning adolescents
generate concerning sex.
Gender roles and sexual identity.
◦Adolescence serves as the intermediate stage

between the shaping experiences of the gender
in childhood and the development of the full-
blown male or female adult identity.

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REPRODUCTIVE

◦ The WHO defines reproductive health as a state of complete

◦ Puberty refers to the sequence of physical events by which a child

◦ Adolescents select characteristics from many people,- peers,

◦Adolescence serves as the intermediate stage

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