According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reproductive health encompasses a number of topics including menstruation, pregnancy, contraception, fertility/infertility, menopause, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as the health and function of both the female and male reproductive systems.
Menstruation
The NIH says menstruation (period) is the monthly bleeding a woman experiences as her body gets ready for pregnancy. The blood that is discharged during menstruation consists of not only blood but tissue from the womb or uterus. According to the Mayo Clinic, most females begin menstruating around age 12 and continue until menopause occurs at approximately age 51. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, and the typical period lasts from three to five days.
Preconception, Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
The NIH advises that a woman who plans to become pregnant consult her doctor for preconception care. Once a woman conceives and a fetus begins growing inside of her, she is described as being pregnant. Prenatal care is the medical care a woman receives throughout her pregnancy. The typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks (nine months), and regular physical checkups are vital during this time for both the heath of the mother and the unborn child.
Infertility
Infertility is the term used to describe the inability of a woman to become pregnant and for a man who fails to impregnate a woman after attempting for at least one year. The NIH says infertility is a complicated issue, since pregnancy involves the successful completion of multiple events.
Contraception
Contraception is a word used to describe a number of methods to prevent pregnancy from occurring. One of the most common types of contraceptives is hormonal birth control (pills, injections, skin patches and vaginal rings). Another popular birth control method is referred to as a "barrier" approach. These contraceptives are designed to prevent sperm from making contact with the egg for fertilization. Barrier methods include condoms, the diaphragm and the cervical cap,
Menopause
According to the Mayo Clinic, menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation and fertility. Although it is a normal process and not an illness, menopause may cause a number of physical and emotional symptoms including insomnia, fatigue and depression. Hormonal changes cause these symptoms to occur.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The University of Maryland Medical Center says there are more than 20 types of STDs. STDs are infectious diseases that are spread through sexual contact with another person. The UMMC says widespread STDs include genital herpes, genital warts, chlamydia infection, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus (the microorganism that causes AIDS) and syphilis.
