What does reproductive health include

The reproductive health we usually talk about is actually a comprehensive health state that runs through the entire life cycle of a person and covers three levels: physiological, psychological, and social adaptation. It is far from as simple as "no gynecological diseases and being able to have children."

When I was doing a free science clinic in the community last week, I met a 30-year-old mother who had been leaking urine for more than half a year after giving birth. She didn’t even dare to run or jump. The gynecological examination found no other organic problems except for pelvic floor muscle relaxation, but she always felt that she was “shameful”. I dare not tell my husband, but I don’t dare to go for rehabilitation. I have to wear a pad every day when I go out, and I feel extremely anxious. Even if the physical problems are easily solved, but the psychological and social barriers are not broken, it still does not meet the standards of reproductive health.

Many people think that reproductive health is something that only men and women of childbearing age need to be concerned about. In fact, they need to pay attention to it from the moment the baby is born. For example, many novice parents do not know to observe whether the testicles of the boy have descended normally. They only discover that cryptorchidism has missed the best intervention time when the child is older. Or a little girl in adolescence dares not talk about dysmenorrhea and only goes to see a doctor until she is anemic. These are all areas covered by reproductive health. There were different voices when discussing relevant standards in the industry before: Some people believe that the core of reproductive health is to ensure fertility and the absence of organic diseases, and do not need to involve too much content related to sexual experience. However, more clinical and public health practitioners now agree that reproductive health inherently includes the part of "having an independent and safe sex life, and not feeling ashamed or anxious about reproductive-related problems." For example, many women always think that pain during intercourse is their own problem and dare not seek medical treatment. In fact, many times it is just mild inflammation or insufficient lubrication, which can be solved completely, and there is no need to bear it.

Two months ago, I saw a 62-year-old aunt who had recurrent vaginal itching after menopause. She was too embarrassed to go to the gynecologist. She always felt that it was "shameful to treat such a disease at such an old age." It took almost a year to come. In fact, it was senile vaginitis. Just prescribe some medicine and apply it for two weeks. Nowadays, many people still think that asking for sexual needs in the elderly is "disrespectful for the elderly." In fact, as long as it is voluntary and does not harm others, the sexual needs and reproductive health needs of the elderly should also be taken seriously, including intervention for prostate problems and postmenopausal urogenital tract symptoms, which are also important parts of reproductive health.

Speaking of reproductive health, it is like the "full cycle maintenance" we do for our bodies. We don't only think of it when we are about to give birth or feel uncomfortable. Daily confusions and discomforts, even curiosity about sex and the need to choose contraceptive methods, all fall within its coverage, and there is no need to hide it.