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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND YOU

What is reproductive health ?

A state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. It is the ability of men and women to undertake sexual activity responsibly and safely whether or not pregnancy is desired.

What is sexual health ?

Sexual health is an important component in reproductive health. If pregnancy is desired, the couple must be prepared to face the responsibilities that come with it

Why is reproductive health important to a family’s well-being?

A family is the basic productive and reproductive unit in the society. A family that practices a healthy lifestyle will produce children with better reproductive health status. Each family member has a specific reproductive need and if recognized, it will enhance the family’s well being

Roles and responsibilities of family member

Roles of husband and wife

• Happiness and relationship in a marriage are built on honesty intimacy and mutual tolerance

• State your feelings honestly and openly, especially in sexual relationship

• Every couple must discuss the plan and the number of children and space them according to their capabilities

• To be role models for the younger generations

• To seek professional help if it is needed

Roles and responsibilities of the parents

• To form a harmonious relationship and inculcate good virtues with patience and love

• To listen and guide their children on issues of reproductive health

• To protect their children from sexual abuse

• Educate their children to differentiate between a good and bad touch. Also on the importance of reporting any untoward sexual incidences

• To identify unusual behaviour and take the necessary actions

• To educate their children about the limits of social interaction    

Roles of the family

• Each family member has specific roles and function for a healthy family development

• A family that practises a healthy lifestyle will generate positive values to the younger generation

• To fulfill and provide the basic needs of each family member, including love and protection

• To defend and encourage healthy attitudes

• Each family member must broaden his/her knowledge  on reproductive health in order to make wise choice

Reproductive life-cycle

Newborn and children

• Each child is born with specific gender makeup. Their reproductive system are complete but not fully mature

• A newborn baby should undergo clinical assessment to ensure he/she is normal. This include inspection of the sexual organ

• Physical abnormalities which need early management includes

1. baby boy such as hypospadia, hydrocele, undescended testes and inguinal hernia

2. baby girl such as imperforate vagina

Adolescence Phase

• The reproductive organ matures during puberty. Other changes which also take place during this period is growth spurt (according to gender) the changes are controlled by sex hormones

• Adolescent girls – the ovary will produce progesterone and estrogen. This will result in the breast development and changes in body shape. She will then begin to produce ovum and start menstruating

• Adolescent boys – the testes will produce testosterone. This hormone causes secondary hair development in the facial and body region, change in the voice and muscular build-up and produces sperm

Planning for marriage

• Parents must provide proper guidance to their children in choosing a suitable life partner

• Marriage strengthens the loving relationship between a man and a woman. It is not merely a legal union but also the acceptance of responsibilities for mutual happiness

• Couples must be willing to compromise, execute their responsibilities and be prepared to face the challenges in ensuring a happy and harmonies family

• Preparations for a marriage includes :-

1. Understand the function of sexual organs

2. Ensure that you and your partner are healthy and free of diseases

3. Have knowledge on safe sex acts

4. Planned family

Planning to have children

• Every planning must be planned and mutually desired

• The husband has to understand the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy

• Mother-to-be should be at an optimal physical and mental well-being prior to pregnancy

• This includes :-

1. Adopting healthy eating habits

2. Regular exercise

3. Stop bad habits such as smoking, alcohol drinking and drugs

4. Understand the nature of pregnancy, childbirth and the importance of breastfeeding

• The husband should be prepared to play his role and carry out his paternal responsibilities

1. Abstaining from smoking, alcohol drinking and drugs

2. Sensitive to the physical and emotional changes of his wife

3. Monitor the development of pregnancy together with his wife

4. Encourage the wife to go for early and regular antenatal check-ups

5. Plan for a safe delivery

6. Prepare for the arrival of the newborn

Shaping a happy family

• A well-planned family is a harmonious family. Family happiness depends on the wall being each member

•  Elements of a happy family

1. Love and understanding

2. Physical, mental and emotional protection

3. Nurturing, educating and guiding

4. Fair

5. Economic stability

6. Family members’ health care

Planned family

Elements of planned family

• Deciding the number of children based on physical, social and economic capabilities

• Spacing the pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother, child and family

• Ensuring the mother has time to breastfeed her child

• A husband who support the family planning concept which has been mutually decided

Preparation to face climacteric

Every individual undergoes a climacteric phase where there is a decline in reproductive ability. This is more predominant among women

Climacteric symptoms among women are :

• Menopause (cessation in menstrual cycle)

• Emotional and  sexual changes

• The increase of Osteoporosis, heart disease and more prone to infection

Early sign of menopause:

• Hot flush

• Vaginal dryness

• Cold sweat

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

Climacteric among men

• A decrease in testosterone level with ageing can cause these symptoms:

• Lack of stamina and interest sex

• Lack of confidence

• Lack of concentration

• Sullenness

• Easily annoyed and sensitive

• Insomnia

• Anxiety

• Hot sensation

• Bone and joint problems

• Limbering of skin

Reducing climacteric symptoms :

• Healthy diet

• Regular exercise

• Refrain from smoking

• Do regular BSE and get regular Pap Smear screening (for women)

• Sufficient sleep

• Fill leisure time by doing productive activities

• Take vitamins and other health supplements (if necessary)

• Women Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with proper medical advise

Golden years

• Growing old is another phase in life . it can be filled with positive and meaningful experience

• An elderly person can also enjoy a normal sexual relationship

Other issues related to reproductive health

1. Safe sex

           -A sexual relationship in the context of marriage

           -Usage of contraception if not ready for pregnancy

           -Seek treatment immediately if you are suffering from STI

           -Use condom if suffering from Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

           -Avoid high-risk sexual relationships

Aspects of high-risk sex include :

            -Indulging in sex at an early age

            -Having multiple sexual partners

            -Having casual sex

            -Prostitution

            -Couples with multiple sexual partners

            -Pre-marital and adulterous relationships

  2.         STI  -  Sexually Transmitted Infection

•   Types of infection

                    -Chlamydia                       -HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

                    -Trichomoniasis             -HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

                    -Syphilis                             -Hepatitis B

                    -Gonorrhoea                     -Herpes

•   Health implication

                    -Causing damage to the reproductive organ and leading to infertility

                    -STI can lead to other health risks. For examples, syphilis increases the risk of  contracting HIV

• Implication on the foetus

                    -Possibility of death

                    -Premature birth

                    -Abnormal development

                    -The foetus may contract STI

• Prevention

                      -Broaden your understanding on reproductive health

                      -Practise safe sex

3.       Sexual abuse

• Rape

• Sex with minors (even with consent)

• Sexual violence

• It is traumatic experience which can leave permanent psychological and emotional scar on the victim and family

• The victim may experience :

                        -Sexual problems

                        -Indulge in high-risk sexual relationship

                        -Emotional stress

Prevention methods

• The family is responsible to protect its members from any form of sexual abuse

• Sex education

• Knowing the limits in relationship

• Inculcate positive values pertaining to sexual conduct

• Getting early treatment

Diterbitkan oleh Bahagian Pendidikan Kesihatan, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

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