Understanding Sexual & Reproductive Health

Sexual Health Appreciation of one’s body Appropriate & respectful interaction with both genders Appropriate expressions of love and intimacy Avoiding exploitative relationships Identification of values Responsibility for one’s own behaviour Enjoying sexual feelings without acting on them

Sexual Health continued… Understand consequences of sexual activity (talking about sexual limits and contraception prior to sexual activity) Practice health promoting behaviours (regular check-ups-pap, testicular exam) Understanding the impact of media messages Seek info about sexuality as needed Able to negotiate and communicate sexual limits

How to do a Testicular Self-examination 1. Best to do after warm bath/shower, when scrotum is relaxed. 2. stand in front of a mirror and look for swelling of the scrotum. 3. Check for any lumps, enlargements, tenderness, or changes in texture by rolling each testicle gently between your thumb and fingers. 4. If you notice any abnormalities, tell your Dr. Perform this exam once a month!

How to do a Breast Self-Exam Perform this exam once a month, 2-3 days after menstrual period ends because breasts are less tender or swollen. Stand in front of a mirror and look carefully at your breasts. Look for discharge from nipples or a puckering, dimpling, or scaling of the skin. Clasp your hands behind your head and press you hands forward. Is there a change in the shape of your breasts since your last exam?

Breast self-exam continued... 3. Press hand firmly on hips and bow slightly forward. Pull your shoulders & elbows forward. Has their shape changed since last exam? 4. Raise your left arm. Use your fingers to examine left breast. Start a outer edge of breast, moving finger tips in circles around breast and area around armpit. Are there lumps? Repeat with right arm up. 5. Gently squeeze each nipple for discharge. 6. Lie down with pillow under left shoulder and raise left arm. Repeat what you did in step 4 with both sides. Notify your Doctor if you find anything unusual.

Reproductive Health Anything pertaining to, or affecting reproduction The physical ability to produce offspring Awareness of what is normal/abnormal with reproductive organs (lumps) Pre-conceptual health (nutrition, physical activity) Pre-natal Health (nutrition & exercise)

Factors Affecting Reproductive Health in Males & Females 1 Factors Affecting Reproductive Health in Males & Females 1. Environmental Factor: MALES Radiation & heat mutate sperm Lead in exhaust and x-rays may cause sperm abnormalities Smoking affects sperm count FEMALES Can cause ovary difficulties, cycle irregularities X-rays, lead & radiation exposure make it difficult to conceive Smoking can interfere with normal egg production & menstrual cycles

2. Nutritional Factor: MALES Anorexia = too thin can cause sperm to be underdeveloped so they cannot function properly Obesity = excess body fat affects hormone circulation through bloodstream FEMALES Anorexia = 10-15% below normal can cause women to lose their menstrual cycle so they cannot become pregnant Obesity can lead to decrease in ovulation therefore, difficulty with conception

Nutritional Factor Continued… Certain nutritional deficiencies can affect the development of sperm. Healthy sperm need linoleic acid, and Vitamins A, E and zinc.

3. Hormonal Factor: MALES Imbalance in hormones may affect cycle An increase in testosterone can cause sperm abnormalities FEMALES Imbalance in progesterone and estrogen can affect when egg is released making conception difficult Cycle irregularities

4. Sexual History Factor: MALES Having had an STI such as Chlamydia, and not treated it, can cause infertility Sterility may also result FEMALES Some STI’s such as Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) and Chlamydia, when left untreated, can cause infertility because of scarring of the fallopian tubes

5. General Health Factor: MALES Cancer, exposure to chemicals, heat & adult mumps can cause temperature changes and result in sterility Impotence = inability to have an erection may be caused by extreme stress, tiredness, or illness Problems from varicose veins FEMALES Cancer – exposure to radiation affects eggs preventing the implantation in the uterus Endometriosis causes uterine tissue to grow outside uterus on ovaries, fallopian tubes or in abdominal cavity Problems with uterine lining thickness/mucous traps sperm

6. Stress Factor: MALES Extreme stress causes a physiological response in body and sperm may not perform normally FEMALES A great deal of stress causes a physiological response by the body making conception difficult

What is Infertility? No conception after 12 months of unprotected, regular intercourse Affects about 10% of young adults In 40% of cases, the fertility problem is with males, 40% females’ problem and in 20% of cases it is both, or unknown

What are the Causes of Infertility? In addition to the 6 factors affecting reproductive health in males above, excessive alcohol has been shown to lower sperm count, mutate sperm and may interfere with the ability to maintain an erection.

The frequency of ejaculation also affects sperm The frequency of ejaculation also affects sperm. Sperm not ejaculated within one month, dies and mixes with new sperm thereby decreasing the count of live sperm. Note: The testes produce about 50,000 sperm every minute The semen in one ejaculation contains 40-400 million sperm

The temperature of the testes is very important to the sperm-making process. Wearing tight clothing is one way of causing the testes to be too close to the body and the temperature too high. As a result, the testes will make defective sperm that cannot fertilize an egg.

What issues do people need to deal with who are experiencing infertility problems? Their individual emotions and reactions Impact on their relationship The decision to have or not to have a child

What issues would a couple need to consider if they were experiencing infertility problems? Solving or treating the underlying problem (ex: chemically, medically) by taking into consideration finances, beliefs, etc.

Infertility Options Invitro-fertilization Egg donor Adoption Tubal reversal Vasectomy reversal Surrogate Motherhood Sperm Banks Fertility Drug Injections Natural Treatment

Where to get information about your sexual & reproductive health Renfrew County District Health Unit Health Info Line: 613-735-8666 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 School Health Clinic Doctors, nurses, specialists Research/Internet Consider availability, cost, reliability, anonymity, and comfort level with each option