Why is reproductive health important

Our relationships deeply impact our sexual and reproductive health. Part of looking after your sexual health is making smart choices about who you let into your life and having an open, honest and supportive relationship with your chosen partner. A healthy relationship is not only great for our mental wellbeing but also means our partners respect our choices when it comes to sexual health. In an abusive relationship, they may have no regard for your wants and needs when it comes to contraception or pregnancy.

Choice and safety are the pillars of sexual health. As a woman, you should get the choice of when to have sex or not, as well as when to get pregnant and whether to use contraception. Access to safe abortions is just as important as access to peri-natal care or fertility advice. Here are some ways to take a proactive approach to your sexual health:. Join Parla for free today to access more educational content like this, hormone tests and free quizzes, and our community of fertility health experts.

Sexual and reproductive health. Coni Longden-Jefferson. August 26, am - Community , Fertility. What is sexual and reproductive health? Why is sexual and reproductive health important? Elements of sexual health There are numerous facets to sexual and reproductive health.

STIs Sexually Transmitted Diseases are one of the biggest risk factors for our reproductive health, for both men and women. Contraception Contraception is obviously a key factor in sexual health and impacts almost every other element. Menstrual Cycle Our menstrual cycle changes as we grow on older, and with those changes come various potential issues that women may need support for.

Relationships Our relationships deeply impact our sexual and reproductive health. Choice Choice and safety are the pillars of sexual health. How to maintain good sexual and reproductive health Here are some ways to take a proactive approach to your sexual health: Always use contraception when having sex.

Get regular STI tests. Speak to your GP if you notice something wrong. You know your body and your body has a pretty good way of telling you if something is wrong. If your cycle changes, your hormones feel off or you notice symptoms of infection, never delay seeking professional help.

Try to lead a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet, doing regular exercise and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol are all great rules to live by and will help improve your overall health. Attend regular screenings for health issues such as cervical cancer. This avoids sexually transmitted infections or sexually transmitted diseases STDs like itchy genitals or anus. Blisters and sores can also be formed around the genitals or anus as symptoms of STIs or sexually transmitted diseases.

Also, a regular health check up should be followed regularly in case of any problem suspected or even normally as a part of the whole body check up once in a year.

Reproductive system of females consists of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, vulva, mammary glands and breasts. All of these organs play important roles in the production and transportation of gametes and also production of sex hormones.

There are different life stages associated with sexual lives and reproductive health issues that include fertility, menstruation, contraception, sexually transmissible infections, menopause and chronic health problems like PCOS or PCOD. Early diagnosis and preventive measures and care can transform conditions and help in early recovery and healing.

Eating a balanced diet with fiber-rich and low in fat foods. Drinking plenty of water as water helps in flushing out the body toxins. Getting regular exercise will help all the reproductive cells function well. Maintaining a healthy weight to not put a stress on reproductive organs. Getting enough sleep to ensure a healthy body and mind that contributes to the well being of the reproductive system.

Avoiding tobacco, alcohol or other drugs is equally important. Health and human services are key players in the Victorian prevention system. The healthcare system encompasses many skilled professionals who are uniquely positioned to encourage and support Victorians to adopt healthy behaviours. Health service providers are a key source of reliable and trusted health information. Health and human services are also major employers in many communities refer to guidance for workplaces.

Evidence-based actions that health or human services can take to improve sexual and reproductive health include: Provide access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information and services.

Timely access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information and services is a fundamental right for all Victorians.

Workplaces offer unique opportunities to promote health and wellbeing and create healthy working environments for staff in the places they spend the most of their time. Creating a healthy workplace can be complex but there are areas where a few vital behaviour changes can have a major impact and will help staff participate, be well, be more productive and contribute to the community.

Healthy workplaces help staff make healthier choices and improve the overall culture of an organisation.

The Healthy Workplaces Achievement Program provides guidance and support for workplaces to become healthier places for their employees. The program is a voluntary, free initiative that identifies evidence-based actions to create a healthy place, links members to best-practice resources and examples, supported by local experts to support workplaces on their journey and provides Victorian Government recognition once these standards have been met.

Good sexual and reproductive health has a positive effect on the physical and mental health of the workforce. Evidence-based actions that a workplace can take to improve sexual and reproductive health include: Embed a respectful and inclusive culture within the workplace, including support for diversity and the de-stigmatisation of sexual and reproductive health, gender and sexuality. Support women in accessing relevant health care, for example cervical screening tests, and accommodating the needs of women at particular life stages, such as menopause.

Prevention and Population Health Department of Health. Skip to main content. Home About the Department of Health Health strategies Public health and wellbeing planning Why improving sexual and reproductive health is important for health and wellbeing. Why improving sexual and reproductive health is important for health and wellbeing. What we want to achieve Promote and support positive, respectful, non-coercive and safe sexual relationships and reproductive choice including planned, safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Improve knowledge and awareness of factors that affect the ability to conceive a child, and increase access to contemporary, safe and equitable fertility control services to enable Victorians to exercise their reproductive rights. Early diagnosis, effective treatment and management of specific reproductive health issues, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and menopause.

Reduce sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses through prevention, testing, treatment, care and support.

Work towards eliminating HIV and viral hepatitis transmission and significantly increase treatment rates. Reduce and eliminate stigma, including homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. Open all. Provide a dedicated private space for discussion of personal and confidential matters. Consider involving experts, such as nurses and general practitioners, in providing sexual and reproductive health information.

Support students to access age-appropriate timely and accurate information, support and prevention, testing and treatment services. Consider having sexual and reproductive health, respectful relationships and wellbeing information and materials visible and readily accessible in the school for students and families. Provide information in multiple languages, as required. Work with the local council, families and students to facilitate delivery and promotion of the human papilloma virus school immunisation program.

Make details of local sexual and reproductive health service providers available. Ensure that school policies about sexual health and wellbeing reflect diversity and are inclusive of the whole school community.

Health or human services are also major employers refer to guidance for workplaces. Evidence-based actions that health or human services can take on climate change and its impact on health include: Implement plans, policies and measures to support adaptation to the health impacts of climate change Health and human services play a key role in planning for adaptation at a local level.