SEXUAL HEALTH & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: AN IMPORTANT CONCERN

Did you know that almost 25 diseases among adults are caused by sexual transmission? Don’t worry; it is not common knowledge. This is why the celebration of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day on February 12 every year is so important.

It is the day when citizens across countries help raise awareness and educate each other about one of the nation’s major health concerns. Issues related to sexual and reproductive health are discussed and how to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections are taught. Public events like these not only help people take preventive measures but save millions of lives. After all, a sexually healthy person is also a confident person.

Let us learn all about sexual and reproductive health in detail below!

What is meant by sexual health?

Sexual health is the ability of a person to enjoy and embrace sexuality. It is a state of a person's physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Quality sexual health is essential to avoid sexually transmitted infections. It is the right to regulate one’s fertility and the ability to control sexuality without being discriminated against by age, marital status, income, or other considerations. Sexual health is vital for both the young and the elderly. 

What is meant by reproductive health?

Our reproductive system comprises organs and glands that produce hormones like estrogen and testosterone. The system also includes the pituitary gland which regulates sexual development in the brain. The ovaries in females and the testes in males constitute the reproductive system. Reproductive health refers to the condition of the reproductive system during its entire life cycle. A person should know what reproductive health is.

Quality reproductive health improves the lifespan of an individual. However, certain environmental factors may negatively affect a person's reproductive health. Some cases are as follows:

• People working in a lead-producing factory. Lead poisoning occurs due to prolonged exposure to lead and may cause fertility issues.

• Persons in contact with mercury. Mercury exposure is hazardous to health and may lead to fertility problems. 

• People who take diethylstilbestrol (DES). This drug is prescribed to women during pregnancy and may increase the risk of infertility.

• Individuals consuming endocrine disruptors. The disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the working of the hormones. It may lead to puberty, infertility, and other pregnancy issues.

Importance of Reproductive Health

Quality sexual and reproductive health is essential to leading a happy and satisfactory life. In-depth knowledge about reproductive health is vital for the proper functioning of reproductive organs. Good reproductive health is a must in today’s stressful lives and critical in the following cases:

• A woman needs to deliver a healthy baby. Good reproductive health keeps the mother and baby free from infections.

• It enables one to have complete knowledge about sexual concerns such as birth control methods, early pregnancy, and infertility issues.

What Constitutes Healthy Sex Habits

Eating healthy food and bringing lifestyle changes can improve the sexual health of a person. These changes can also help increase sexual desire and resolve erectile and female sexual dysfunction. A healthy cardiovascular system is vital to having a good and satisfactory sex life. Therefore, specific measures to bring healthy lifestyle changes in a person include:

• Exercise 

Regularly exercising keeps you fit and healthy and increases sex hormones in the body. Exercise also helps increase the production of endorphin chemicals in the body. Endorphins help reduce pain while triggering positive feelings. According to researchers, regular workout improves the sex life of both males and females and increase libido.

• Quit smoking 

Nicotine present in tobacco constantly increases blood pressure. It narrows the blood vessels and damages the arteries and veins in the body. Thin blood vessels of the penis can get damaged while having sex. Thus, avoid smoking to have a joyful sex life.

• Manage alcohol consumption 

Alcohol consumption may have various benefits, but excess alcohol can sometimes act as a depressant. It also exacerbates anxiety and causes interference in sexual life. Therefore, alcohol consumption should be limited.

• Reduce stress 

Stress is a slow poison for any person. It raises the cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body thereby, disrupting sex response hormones. Practicing yoga and meditation produces healing hormones in the body and improves sex life.

• Improve sleep quality 

Regular sound sleep of 6-8 hours is essential for a healthy body. Lack of sleep or apnea due to stress or medication may affect mood. It may also cause erectile dysfunction and female sexual unresponsiveness. Quality sleep is beneficial and vital for a rested mind and body.

• Healthy diet 

Healthy eating is responsible for an overall improvement in health. Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants aid in increasing libido and improving sexual life. In addition, omega-3-rich fatty acid foods such as nuts and seeds, seafood, and plant oils are excellent for boosting sexual health. Furthermore, CoQ10 and Lycopene antioxidants found in spinach, lentils, sesame seeds, watermelons, guava, and papaya, respectively, also improve sexual health. 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexual disease transmission occurs when one person comes in contact with another person via sexual contact. These infections and diseases occur when harmful bacteria or viruses get transmitted from one person to another in blood, semen, vagina, or any other fluids in the body.

Sexually transmitted diseases or infections usually do not show any symptoms. However, specific symptoms include:

• Pain during sexual intercourse.

• Soreness around the genitals.

• Fluid discharge from the penis.

• Foul odor from the vagina.

• Lower abdominal pain.

• Swollen lymph nodes.

• Rashes on hands or feet

Antibiotics or antiviral drugs can treat sexually transmitted diseases or infections. You may consult a doctor if you are sexually active but face any of the above problems. Further, consult your doctor after the treatment for further retests to confirm STDs/STI termination. Retesting assures your sexual and reproductive health safety and ensures that you are not infectious.

Conclusion

The annual celebration of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day on February 12 helps raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health and its importance. Free knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and infections and their impact on the body are readily available during this day. Sexual and reproductive health is essential for an individual's overall health. Likewise, it equally plays a critical role in married couples. Sex increases love and affection between both partners. It strengthens the bond and helps express love.  

To know more about sexual and reproductive health, you can contact experts at Wellness Forever and shop for products related to sexual and reproductive health.