What does reproductive health mean?

Reproductive health essentially refers to an individual’s complete cycle of reproductive system, reproductive function and reproductive process, which is not only the absence of disease or infirmity, but also covers the complete physical, psychological and social aspects. The core is that everyone can independently, responsibly and safely decide on their own reproductive-related behaviors without taking unnecessary health risks.

Many people's understanding of reproductive health still remains in the narrow scope of "curing infertility" and "preventing sexually transmitted diseases". In fact, it covers the scope from pubertal development to menopausal health care, and runs throughout a person's life. I was doing a free clinic in the community last week and met a little girl who was in the second grade of high school. She didn’t dare to tell her mother that her period had not started for two months. She was afraid of being scolded for “not learning well.”

At present, academic circles have different focuses on reproductive health. Scholars doing public health research pay more attention to group-level protection, such as the control of maternal mortality in underdeveloped areas, the universal coverage of HPV vaccines, and the reach of free pre-pregnancy eugenic screening. The goal is to block the most basic health risks first.； Those of us who provide clinical and community services on the front line are more concerned about whether the actual experience of individuals can keep up. For example, whether women with unexpected pregnancies can terminate their pregnancies without being scorned by nurses, whether men with erectile dysfunction can register for treatment without being labeled as "kidney deficiency", and whether sexual minorities can receive appropriate reproductive health guidance. These detailed individual needs are actually the last mile of reproductive health.

When talking about it, I often compare reproductive health to the water supply system at home. Don’t wait until the water pipe bursts and leaks all over the house before you think about repairing it. The usual water pressure is stable, whether there are hidden blockages, and whether the water quality is up to standard. These daily maintenance are the ones that most affect the quality of life. Many people think that "if I don't have children, it has nothing to do with reproductive health." In fact, contraceptive guidance for young people, pelvic floor muscle repair for postpartum mothers, prostate health care for middle-aged men, and menopausal symptom intervention for older women are all covered by reproductive health. A while ago There was also a 62-year-old aunt who came for consultation. She had suffered from recurrent vaginal itching for five or six years after menopause. She always felt that "it is like this even in old age, and it is embarrassing to speak out." She delayed the inflammation until the infection reached the pelvic cavity. In fact, it is a problem that can be solved by simple estrogen cream intervention.

Having been in this industry for almost 8 years, my biggest feeling is that reproductive health has never been a topic that cannot be brought to the forefront. It essentially provides support for everyone's life, so that no matter what age or gender you are, you don't have to be ashamed of reproductive-related issues, and you have enough information and resources to support your own choices. This is enough.