Practical Reproductive Medicine

Author: Yu Ailian / Jie Ruiqian (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: This book systematically introduces various aspects related to male and female reproduction in concise and clear language, covering five parts and thirty-eight chapters. It discusses the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, as well as relevant knowledge of reproductive health care; information on eugenics, family planning, and other reproductive-related topics, including assisted reproductive technologies, the application of endoscopy and microsurgery in infertility, the use of ultrasound in reproductive medicine, and techniques such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Reproductive health has been a widely discussed issue in international activities related to population and development, women's issues, family planning, and public health over the past decade, playing a crucial role in population and social development. Reproductive health is not merely the absence of diseases or discomfort in the reproductive system but also encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being related to the functions and processes of the reproductive system. "Reproductive health means that people are able to have responsible, satisfying, and safe sexual and reproductive behavior," as proposed by WHO senior advisor Fatalla in 1991, a concept that has been continuously refined and improved. With the advancement of medical science and other natural sciences, the scope and depth of research in reproductive medicine have expanded, including changes in reproductive concepts, shifts in unhealthy hygiene habits, the relationship between family planning and reproductive health, the impact of environmental factors on reproductive health, the connection between psychological factors and reproductive health, and the correlation between education level and health.
Changes in Reproductive Concepts: Reproductive health emphasizes gender equality. The reproductive period is a time of peak reproductive function in women, making it a key focus of reproductive health care. Research on reproductive health among women of reproductive age has been extensively conducted both domestically and internationally. Reproductive health issues vary among women of different reproductive ages, and the factors influencing reproductive health are multifaceted. Therefore, comprehensive and multi-level approaches must be adopted to provide reproductive health care, improving the reproductive health status of women of reproductive age. Additionally, reproductive health education must be implemented throughout the reproductive lifespan, correcting the past practice of focusing only on family planning health education for married women of reproductive age. Physiological and psychological health education should be provided in primary and secondary schools, with targeted sexual health education. In high schools and universities, systematic reproductive health education should be conducted to promote reproductive health and fertility control knowledge among adolescents, preventing adolescent pregnancy.
Changing Unhealthy Hygiene Habits: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are a significant reproductive health issue globally, with estimates of their incidence varying depending on data sources and methods. Female RTIs primarily include trichomoniasis, candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, genital warts, gonorrhea, cervical erosion, cervical polyps, adnexitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and chlamydial infection. Among married women of reproductive age, cervical erosion is the most common RTI, followed by adnexitis. The main pathogens of RTIs in married women of reproductive age are trichomonas, fungi, and gonococci. In summary, RTIs have a high incidence among married women of reproductive age, making them a major issue affecting women's reproductive health. Male RTIs primarily include acute and chronic prostatitis, acute and chronic epididymitis, genital warts, gonorrhea, and tuberculous infections of the male reproductive system.
Family Planning and Reproductive Health: Family planning is one of the key components of reproductive health and also reflects its social benefits. Family planning has a direct impact on reproductive health, with its positive effects being that it directly safeguards women's reproductive health. The widespread promotion and adoption of various contraceptive measures have made planned parenthood possible for women. At the same time, family planning is an effective measure to protect women's reproductive rights. Of course, different contraceptive methods may have certain side effects on reproductive health, but contraception significantly reduces the number of unintended pregnancies among women of reproductive age, thereby promoting their reproductive health. In China, family planning is a basic national policy with core principles of late marriage, late childbirth, fewer children, and better quality, aimed at controlling population growth and improving population quality. The basic content of high-quality family planning services includes informed choice, publicity and education, technical services, scientific management, and comprehensive services. This enables women of reproductive age to make conscious and informed choices regarding contraception, understand contraceptive knowledge, recognize the relationship between contraception and physical and mental health, avoid unintended pregnancies and induced abortions, and thus promote their overall well-being.
Environmental Factors and Reproductive Health: Multifactorial causation is a universal objective reality. Environmental, genetic, and unhealthy lifestyle factors are the main causes of human diseases. With deeper understanding of disease etiology and advancements in molecular biology techniques, people have increasingly recognized the impact of environmental factors on reproductive health. The characteristics of environmental factors affecting reproductive health are reflected in the dynamic interaction between humans and the environment. A good environment is beneficial to human health (including reproductive health), while adverse environments pose potential risks to human health (including reproductive health). Paying attention to the impact of environmental factors on reproductive health is a critical issue related to the next generation, future national quality, and even the future of humanity. It holds significant importance for implementing China's basic national policy of controlling population growth and improving population quality, as well as for pursuing a sustainable development path as outlined in China's 21st Century Agenda.
Mental Health and Reproductive Health: With the progress of social civilization, material and spiritual lives have become increasingly enriched, gradually reducing worries and elevating living standards. Loving couples, mutual understanding, compassion, and communication can minimize the influence of external negative factors. A wife's mental health is more susceptible to influences both within and outside the marriage. Therefore, husbands should show greater care for their wives.
Education Level and Reproductive Health: The reproductive health status of women of reproductive age is closely related to their level of education and knowledge of health care. Different education levels have a significant impact on the number of pregnancies. As the education levels of women and their husbands increase, the proportion of women giving birth once rises, while the number of pregnancies gradually decreases. Women with RTIs tend to have lower education levels, and they often fail to correctly recognize RTIs, mistakenly believing that intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the cause. Some women attribute RTIs to unhealthy hygiene habits. Therefore, improving the education level of women of reproductive age, providing reproductive health-centered health education for women of different age groups, offering reproductive health care counseling, and enhancing their knowledge and awareness of reproductive health are essential.
With the shift in the biomedical model, environmental pollution, psychological factors, unhealthy lifestyles, and behavioral factors have become major threats to human health, posing new challenges to reproductive health. Healthcare workers must not only further master medical techniques in their fields but also widely engage in health education activities, disseminating health knowledge to couples of reproductive age and advocating civilized, healthy, and scientific lifestyles. Only in this way can they help people understand diseases, motivate patients to fight against illnesses and promote self-recovery, ultimately addressing reproductive health issues at their root.