Sexual and reproductive health and infertility

Babar Ali; Babar Ali

ISSN: 2690-0815

International Journal of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Short Communication Open Access Peer-Reviewed

Sexual and reproductive health and infertility

Babar Ali*

Author and article information

Department of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Islamabad, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: Dr. Babar Ali, Department of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Islamabad, Faqirabad, Maneri Payan, Swabi, KPK, Pakistan, E-mail: dr.babarali.rph@gmail.com

doi : 10.17352/ijsrhc.000039

Received: 09 March, 2023 | Accepted: 20 March, 2023 | Published: 21 March, 2023

Keywords: Infertility; Adolescent sexual and reproductive health; Low-and middle-income countries; Gender norms; Comprehensive programs

Cite this as

Ali B (2023) Sexual and reproductive health and infertility. Int J Sex Reprod Health Care 6(1): 001-003. DOI: 10.17352/ijsrhc.000039

Copyright Licence

© 2023 Ali B. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Infertility and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) are significant challenges worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Teenagers living in urban slums that are quickly developing are frequently disregarded, despite the efforts of international organizations to enhance access to services and information for residents of these areas. It is common for women to blame for infertility, even when their spouse has clinical infertility; this contributes to a bias in the relevant body of research. In order to address these issues, policies on sexual and reproductive health need to be evidence-based, they need to take into account various points of view and they need to combat negative stereotypes and inequities. Comprehensive programs that prepare healthcare providers and non-clinical service providers are crucial. This review highlights the importance of addressing systemic issues, such as gender norms and economic disparities, in promoting sexual and reproductive health care to achieve desired reproductive outcomes.

Main article text

Introduction

Significant numbers of reproductive-aged couples worldwide experience infertility and Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) is a severe problem, especially in low- and middle-income nations. International organizations have prioritized expanding access to ASRH-related information and services. Unfortunately, most research and programme work has ignored adults in rapidly expanding urban slums in LMICs. Women are frequently blamed for childlessness regardless of whether their spouse is clinically infertile. To effectively address the challenges of infertility and ASRH, it is essential to improve access to services and information. Ensure sexual and reproductive health policies are based on scientific evidence and inclusive of diverse perspectives, combat harmful stereotypes and provide comprehensive programmes and strategies that address the education of healthcare and non-clinical service providers. By addressing these challenges, sexual and reproductive health care may help people and couples reach their reproductive goals and enhance fertility outcomes. Therefore, the following literature review confirms that improving access to sexual and reproductive care services can positively impact fertility rates and outcomes.

Infertility affects a significant portion of adolescents and adult couples worldwide, with rates high up to 30% in various regions globally [1]. ASRH is also a big problem, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), where adolescents encounter obstacles relating to access to services and information, lack of knowledge, poverty and unequal gender norms. Men’s impressions of the quality of Sexual and Reproductive Health treatments they get might be impacted significantly by the inadequacy of healthcare venues for treating males [2].

To address the challenges of infertility and ASRH, international agencies have focused on improving access to information and services, particularly in LMICs. Now, international organizations are emphasizing ASRH improvement and giving programmatic funding [3]. However, most research and programme activity ignores teenagers in rapidly expanding urban slums in LMICs. The Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine supports expanding men’s global access to comprehensive SRH care through multilayered methods and investments that address men’s health needs. [4].

Although foreign organisations are working on enhancing access to information and services for ASRH, a significant amount of research and programme effort has ignored adolescents in rapidly expanding urban slums in Pakistan’s LMICs. In Pakistan and several other regions, despite well-established scientific understandings identifying men as potentially equal contributors to infertility, women are blamed for infertility regardless of which partner is clinically infertile. This gender disparity has also contributed to a bias in the corpus of literature from most of the global south, as most research on infertility focuses almost exclusively on women [5].

To effectively address the challenges of infertility and ASRH, it is crucial to improve access to information and services. However, also ensure that sexual and reproductive health policies are accordingly on scientific evidence and inclusive of diverse perspectives from various disciplines and a wide range of populations without stigmatizing any group or viewpoints [6]. Sexual health education should aim to challenge harmful stereotypes and remove economic and gender disparities through laws, regulations and funding requirements. To address the specific needs of infertility and ASRH, comprehensive programs and strategies that address healthcare and non-clinical service providers’ preparations and education are required [7-26].

Conclusion

For infertility, Sexual and reproductive health care requires a multi-faceted approach that considers the needs of diverse populations, including adolescents and men. It addresses systemic issues such as gender norms, economic disparities, and stigmatization. Efforts to improve access to information and services must be accompanied by policies based on scientific evidence, inclusive of diverse perspectives and aimed at removing harmful stereotypes and disparities. Comprehensive programs that prepare healthcare providers and non-clinical service providers can also play a vital role in addressing the challenges of infertility and ASRH. By promoting sexual and reproductive health care, we can help individuals and communities achieve greater well-being and their desired reproductive outcomes. However, further research is needed to emphasize what we must adopt to improve the well-being and Sexual health and reproductive health of communities worldwide.