Reproductive Health: Need of the Hour

Abstract

Reproductive health of women remains a major development task in any country. Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not simply the absence of any disease, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. The Review Article outlines the current literature on women's reproductive health which consist abortion, sexually transmitted disease, child and forced marriage, contraceptive methods etc. current statistics related to women reproductive health also discussed in this paper. Reproductive health of women is maintained by reducing fertility rate and spacing among births. The use of various contraceptives is best known alternative. Health status of women has ramification and impact on the human well-being, economic growth and on their families also. Woman with poor health are likely to give birth to low weight infants and less care to their children.  Moreover, Indian women have high mortality rates, particularly during childhood and in their reproductive years. Other problems in women in India are low level of education, son preference, pressure of dowry, lack of independence and decision making. All these factors also have impact on the health of women (Reproductive Health Strategy, 2010). In this review paper, the efforts are made to discuss reproductive health and related issues of Indian women. Review article concluded that reproductive system of females comprises of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina uterus, mammary glands, breasts, and vulva. All of these female genital organs play significant roles in the production and transportation of gametes and also production of sex hormones. There are different life stages accompanying with sexual subsists and reproductive health issues that include fertility, contraception, menstruation, menopause, sexually transmissible infections and chronic health problems like PCOS or PCOD etc. Taking care of reproductive systems in the female body requires attention to one’s health and regular check-ups.