Reproductive Health

What is reproductive health?

Reproductive health is a branch of medicine that focuses on your ability to have children and everything related to becoming or preventing pregnancy.

Depending on your circumstances, age, and personal wishes, you might be seeking advice on contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancy or ways to increase your fertility and conceive a child.

What role does contraception play in reproductive health?

Choosing when and if to have children is vital for a woman’s mental and physical health and for optimizing a fetus’s prospects. Contraception (birth control) significantly reduces your risk of becoming a parent before you’re ready.

Contraception takes many forms, each suiting different women’s needs and preferences. Birth control pills prevent ovulation, so there’s no egg for sperm to fertilize. The hormones in these pills are also available in other forms, such as injections and long-lasting implants.

Barrier methods physically prevent a man’s sperm from reaching the egg. They include the diaphragm, sponge, and condoms. An additional advantage of using condoms is that they protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small devices that fit in the uterus. Hormonal IUDs slowly release hormones to prevent fertilization, while copper IUDs create a hostile environment for sperm. IUDs last many years — copper ones can stay in place for up to 10 years.

What other reproductive health issues might I need help with?

Infertility — the inability to conceive after 12 months of trying (or six months for older women) is a common reproductive health issue. Marie provides practical advice on dietary and lifestyle changes that could help and ways to increase your chances of conceiving, like tracking ovulation.

Several conditions can affect the female reproductive system, including:

• Endometriosis
• Ovarian cysts
• Uterine fibroids
• Cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Male reproductive health problems include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, prostate problems, and a low sperm count. These conditions and/or their treatment may reduce your ability to conceive.

Very often, couples struggling to conceive have a condition that’s resolvable with the appropriate treatment. Or they may want to consider procedures like intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization for severe infertility.

Marie can offer support and counseling on your condition, test results, and the available options.

Call Mamokant God Favor Healthcare to learn more about the reproductive health services Marie provides. You can also book an appointment online today.