Human reproductive health is crucial because it can impact a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. India has a high rate of unprotected sex, with up to 72% of sexually active young people nationwide engaging in unprotected sex with new partners. According to estimates, at least 40% of Indian teenagers claim to have experienced difficulties getting the contraceptives they required.

A mix of lifestyle adjustments, routine check-ups with a healthcare professional, and other preventative actions are required to take care of women’s reproductive health. CK Birla Hospital’s Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Deepika Aggarwal, offered the following suggestions for protecting women’s reproductive health:

Safe sex 

Use condoms or other birth control methods to avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Obtain routine screenings

Regular gynaecological examinations, such as mammograms, Pap tests, and HPV testing, can help identify any anomalies early on and increase the likelihood of a full recovery.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Eating a balanced diet, exercising frequently, and managing stress can all help you stay healthy overall and lower your chance of experiencing issues with your reproductive system.

Address any discomfort or soreness

Any kind of pain, discomfort, or unexpected discharge has to be discussed right away with a medical professional.

Limit your drinking and smoking

Smoking and binge drinking can both harm reproductive health and raise the chance of developing certain malignancies.

Learn about your ancestry

Making educated decisions regarding screening and prevention can benefit you and your healthcare provider, especially if you are aware of your family’s history of reproductive health issues.

Maintain your immunization records

Getting immunized against certain infections, like HPV, can help prevent issues with reproductive health.

Think about alternate menstrual supplies

Cloth pads or menstrual cups are more pleasant than conventional disposable items and are better for the environment.

Seek assistance

Any challenges or worries about reproductive health may be managed by seeking out support from friends, family, or a medical professional.

There are several illusions about women’s reproductive health, particularly in rural regions of the nation, according to Pratibha Pandey, Senior Health Specialist at ChildFund India. These beliefs are founded on superstition, ignorance of science, stigma, and prejudice against women. In my experience, I have seen that women are held exclusively accountable for infertility among couples and that infertile women face rejection from their families. Men are actually just as likely as women to be infertile, though.

“Indicators for maternal and child health are litmus tests for evaluating health systems and human development,” noted Asha Jyoti, Policy and Advocacy Catalyst at Swasti. The objective for maternal mortality under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, yet states like Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur record a ratio of over 280. India is second only to Nigeria (19%) in the global contribution to maternal fatalities with up to 15%. Climate change is wreaking havoc on our world, and an El Nio-caused drought warning has been issued for the next Kharif season in India. A degree of higher temperature before delivery increases stillbirth risk by 6%.

“Heat waves increase the number of pregnant women who present with dehydration, malnutrition, anaemia, preterm birth, and complications like high foetal heart rate (referred to as foetal strain),” she said. In addition, to heat itself, air pollution can result in premature delivery and low birth weight. In such a situation, there is a greater likelihood of mental health problems as well as an increase in aggression and insecurity. A new or expectant mother faces a wide range of health and wellness challenges, therefore it is crucial to provide sustainable cooling solutions, basic but essential nutrients like zinc and iron, non-polluting cooking fuels, and flexible ways of counselling and screening.

What exactly is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

PCOS is a group of symptoms caused by a hormonal imbalance. PCOS causes an imbalance in the hormones that affect a woman’s capacity to ovulate (produce an egg). Estrogen, progesterone, and, in particular, androgen are among these hormones.

Why Does It Have an Impact on Ovulation?

Each egg is contained in a capsule called a follicle and is stored in a woman’s ovaries. During a woman’s reproductive years, one follicle develops each month to create a mature egg. The follicle then dies after releasing the egg.

The follicle does not discharge the egg in PCOS, and the follicle remains swollen. This develops into a fluid-filled cyst, and over time, a large number of these tiny cysts cover the ovaries.

How Do You Know When You Have PCOS?

1. Periods of intense activity: PCOS can cause significant fluctuations in the menstrual cycle, including extremely heavy bleeding and numerous periods.
2. Periods that are irregular: You may not have a period, or it may be delayed for a few months.
3. Having difficulty becoming pregnant: It might be difficult to get pregnant if you don’t have regular cycles. PCOS is one of the most common reasons for infertility.
4. Gaining weight: Approximately 50% of women with PCOS struggle with weight gain or have difficulty shedding weight. PCOS can cause significant weight gain. Furthermore, being overweight might aggravate PCOS symptoms.
5. Hair growth in unfavorable places: Your doctor may refer to this as “hirsutism.” Unwanted hair may be sprouting on your face or chin, breasts, stomach, even thumbs and toes.
6. Hair thinning: Women with PCOS may experience thinning hair on their heads, which may worsen as they become older.
7. Acne and greasy skin: PCOS-related hormonal abnormalities might result in oily skin and acne.
8. Skin discoloration: Under your arms or breasts, on the back of your neck, and in your groyne area, you may notice thick, black, velvety patches of skin. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.
9. Sleeping difficulties or a constant sense of exhaustion: You could have difficulty getting asleep. You might also be suffering from sleep apnea. This implies that even if you sleep, you don’t feel refreshed when you wake up.
10. Headaches: The surges in hormones that induce PCOS can also cause headaches.

Here is a list of symptoms that indicate you are reversing PCOS:

1. Your menstrual cycle will become more regular
2. The dark areas on your skin will begin to fade, and your skin will become clearer;
3. You will notice a significant improvement in your acne;
4. You will begin to lose weight;
5. You will notice that undesired facial hair is no longer growing
6. You will feel much more active
7. You will sleep better
8. You will feel less nervous and agitated.

How To Keep These Positive Signs Going?

Reduce your consumption of high refined starches
PCOS is caused by hormonal abnormalities, which are exacerbated by your body’s insulin resistance.

Incorporate ghee into your diet
Ghee is excellent for hormone balance as well as joint maintenance. It is also beneficial to your brain’s wellness. However, be certain that the ghee you consume is prepared from raw milk and is devoid of hormones and antibiotics.

Milk consumption should be reduced
If you have trouble digesting milk, it is better to avoid it to ensure that it does not interfere with your body.

Fruit consumption should be reduced
The natural sugar content of most fruits is quite high. If you are already insulin-resistant, you should limit your fruit intake. Don’t completely eliminate them, but decrease them as much as possible until your body regains insulin sensitivity.

Bring some movement into your life
While dietary modifications can assist with the preponderance of your health concerns, combining a healthy diet with physical activity is a surefire method to improve your health. You don’t have to over-exercise, but getting some motion in every day is essential!

Sunlight exposure
The sun’s energy is essential not just for vitamin D synthesis, but also for maintaining a healthy biological clock. Every day, spend at least 30 minutes in the sun.