March 28, 2024

Ways to take care of women’s reproductive health | Health


Reproductive health is a very powerful facet of human lifestyles as it will possibly impact an individual bodily, mentally, emotionally and likewise one’s social health and India ranks reasonably prime in instances of unprotected intercourse the place as many as 72% of sexually lively younger folks around the nation have had intercourse with new companions with none coverage. As in line with the stories, a minimum of 40% of early life in India say that they have got had issues having access to contraceptives that they wanted.

Ways to take care of women’s reproductive health (Twitter/EkawaliGupta)
Ways to take care of women’s reproductive health (Twitter/EkawaliGupta)

Taking care of ladies’s reproductive health comes to a mixture of way of life adjustments, common check-ups with a healthcare supplier and different proactive measures. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Deepika Aggarwal, Director – Obstetrics and Gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, steered many ways to take care of ladies’s reproductive health –

  • Practice protected intercourse: Use condoms or other kinds of start keep an eye on to save you accidental being pregnant and sexually transmitted infections.
  • Get common screenings: Regular gynecological assessments, together with Pap assessments, mammograms, and HPV assessments, can lend a hand discover any abnormalities early on and strengthen the probabilities of a hit remedy.
  • Maintain a wholesome way of life: Eating a balanced vitamin, getting common workout, and managing rigidity can lend a hand handle total health and cut back the danger of reproductive health issues.
  • Address any ache or discomfort: Any ache, discomfort, or abnormal discharge will have to be addressed promptly with a healthcare supplier.
  • Avoid smoking and over the top ingesting: Both smoking and over the top ingesting can negatively affect reproductive health and build up the danger of sure cancers.
  • Know your circle of relatives historical past: Knowing your circle of relatives’s historical past of reproductive health issues assist you to and your healthcare supplier make knowledgeable selections about screening and prevention.
  • Stay up to date on vaccinations: Getting vaccinated in opposition to sure illnesses, comparable to HPV, can lend a hand save you reproductive health issues.
  • Consider choice menstrual merchandise: Menstrual cups or fabric pads are environmentally pleasant and may also be extra relaxed than conventional disposable merchandise.
  • Seek give a boost to: Seeking out give a boost to from buddies, circle of relatives, or a healthcare supplier can lend a hand arrange any reproductive health problems or issues.

Pratibha Pandey, Senior Health Specialist at ChildFund India, stated, “There are various myths surrounding the reproductive health of women, especially in rural areas of the country. These myths are based on superstition, lack of scientific knowledge, stigma and gender-based discrimination. In my experience, I have observed that women are seen as solely responsible for infertility amongst couples, women who are unable to get pregnant are ostracized by their family for being infertile. However, the fact is men are as likely to be infertile as women are.”

She added, “Other myths are around menstruation, the general belief is that women shed impure blood during periods and therefore, during menstruation they aren’t allowed to take a bath. Adolescent peer educators need to be trained on reproduction and sexuality to spread awareness. This will ensure that the age-old myths are broken, and a scientific temperament is inculcated. Some other ways to take care of reproductive health is to maintain hygiene around your intimate areas, opt for cotton underwear as it helps in air circulation and go for regular screenings/tests. Reproductive and sexuality health for adolescent girls is important as it help them to reflect on social norms, cultural values and traditional beliefs, in order to better understand and manage their relationships with peers, parents, teachers, other adults and their communities.”

Asha Jyoti, Policy and Advocacy Catalyst at Swasti, highlighted, “Indicators for maternal and child health are litmus tests for evaluating health systems and human development. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for maternal mortality is 70 per 100,000 live births but states like Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur report a figure of over 280. India contributes up to 15% of all maternal deaths in the world, second only to Nigeria at 19%. We are in the throes of climate change, with an El-Nino-induced drought warning issued for the upcoming Kharif season in India. A degree celsius increase before delivery increases the likelihood of stillbirth by six per cent.”

She printed, “Heat waves increase the number of pregnant women presenting with dehydration, malnutrition, anemia, preterm birth and complications like high foetal heart rate (termed foetal strain). Apart from heat itself, air pollution can cause low birth weight and preterm birth. Increased mental health issues and risk of increased violence and insecurity go hand in hand in such a scenario. It is imperative to ensure sustainable cooling solutions, basic but critical nutrients like zinc and iron, non-polluting cooking fuels and flexible modes of counselling and screening for the entire range of health and wellbeing issues faced by a new or expecting mother.”