Reproductive health involves the condition of your reproductive organs and the ability to produce healthy offspring. The gonads (testes and ovaries), outer genitals, breasts, sex hormones, semen and vaginal fluid make up the reproductive system, with each part playing a vital role in overall functioning. Many factors can compromise your reproductive health, some of which include infections, cancers, genetic conditions and structural abnormalities.
Significance
Reproductive diseases can lead to serious or life-threatening outcomes. According to Wrong Diagnosis, one in eight American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, while some 189,000 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, placing these among the most common forms of the disease.
Other issues affecting reproductive health include sexually transmitted diseases, impotence and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and ectopic pregnancy.
Fertility and Conception
Fertility is among the most prominent reproductive health issues for people in their childbearing years. Infertility can stem from causes affecting either partner, with 40 to 50 percent involving the female, 20 percent involving the male and the remaining 30 to 40 percent resulting from shared problems, according to Mayo Clinic.
Conditions affecting female fertility include diseases like endometriosis or Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), pelvic inflammatory disease, early menopause and certain medications. In males, low sperm count, testosterone deficiency, retrograde ejaculation or genetic defects may be to blame. According to Wrong Diagnosis, an estimated 4 million Americans (2 million of each sex) experience some degree of fertility problems.
Pregnancy Complications
A number of complications can occur during pregnancy, increasing the risks of illness and death in mother and child.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, the most common complications are ectopic pregnancy, pre-term labor, gestational diabetes and low birth weight. These conditions may stem from poor prenatal care, structural abnormalities in the reproductive organs, alcohol and drug abuse and other factors. Pregnancy complications can be minor and transient or serious enough to endanger the lives of mother and offspring.
Protecting Reproductive Health
Obtaining adequate medical care is among the most important steps you can take to protect your reproductive health. Diagnosis and treatment of fertility problems, quality prenatal care, genetic testing and regular cancer screenings help prevent reproductive diseases and ensure healthy pregnancies.
Proper nutrition and physical fitness can help prevent reproductive problems by promoting overall health. According to Medicine Net, risk factors like drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, exposure to environmental toxins like lead and pesticides, smoking and excessive stress can disrupt the reproductive system, increasing the likelihood for fertility problems in both men and women.
Considerations
Fertility medications, in vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies are constantly evolving to serve the needs of couples wishing to conceive. If you suffer from infertility, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
