Reproductive health issues can affect both men and women. Reproductive systems are made of internal and external sex organs and hormone-producing glands, including the pituitary gland in the brain.
What are common reproductive health issues in women?
Common reproductive health issues in women include:
- Problems related to conception and contraception:
- Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
- Infertility or reduced fertility
- Side effects of contraceptives (such as excessive bleeding following intrauterine device insertion)
- Problems related to puberty:
- Early (precocious puberty)
- Delayed puberty
- Premature thelarche (early breast development)
- Menstrual issues:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Short or long menstrual cycles
- Painful menstrual cycles
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding between periods
- Early-onset menopause
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (a condition in which the ovaries produce an excess of male hormones or androgens)
- Uterine fibroids or leiomyoma (a type of noncancerous growth arising from the muscle layer of the uterus)
- Endometriosis (a condition in which the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, called endometrium, grows at other sites in the body)
- Pregnancy-related issues
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Gestational diabetes mellitus
- Eclampsia (seizures during pregnancy)
- Lactation (breastfeeding)-related issues
- Inadequate milk supply
- Blocked milk ducts
- Sore or cracked nipples
- Excessive milk production
- Sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Hormonal imbalances affecting the levels of circulating sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, androgens and prolactin)
- Gynecologic cancer:
- Cervical
- Uterine
- Ovarian
- Vaginal
- Vulvar
- Sexual violence
- Genetic disorders affecting the reproductive system, such as genitourinary malformations
- Injuries
What are common reproductive health issues in men?
Common reproductive health issues in men include:
- Erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve and maintain an erection firm enough for sex)
- Low sperm count
- Abnormal sperm morphology (structure) or motility (movement)
- Sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Cancers:
- Testicular
- Penile
- Problems relating to puberty
- Early (precocious puberty)
- Delayed puberty
- Hormonal imbalances affecting the levels of circulating sex hormones (androgens, estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin)
- Sexual violence
- Genetic disorders affecting the reproductive system, such as genitourinary malformations
- Injuries
Why is reproductive health important?
Millions of Americans are affected by diseases or disorders that affect their reproductive system. Fortunately, most reproductive health issues can be prevented and treated effectively.
Taking care of your reproductive health is essential for a satisfying and safe sex life. It also enables people to make decisions about when and how they wish to reproduce or have a baby.
Addressing reproductive health issues helps ensure that everyone has access to prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, birth-control methods (safe, effective, and affordable methods of contraception), management of fertility issues, and accurate and authentic information relating to reproductive health.
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Medically Reviewed on 9/30/2021
References
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Fertility and Reproductive Health. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/fertility-and-reproductive-health
Fathalla M. Issues in Reproductive Health. https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/issues.htm
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Reproductive Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/repro-health/index.cfm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reproductive Health. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/index.html
Fathalla M. Issues in Reproductive Health. https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/issues.htm
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Reproductive Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/repro-health/index.cfm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reproductive Health. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/index.html
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