Ageing
As women live longer, the years after the menopause represent a significant part of a woman’s life that she has every right to want to enjoy to the full. A woman’s state of health during those years depends a lot on her health before the menopause.
Sexual and reproductive health services that protect her from unwanted pregnancies, especially with short intervals, contribute directly to her premenopausal and postmenopausal health. A woman who is approaching the menopause can still become pregnant. Pregnancy at this time is usually neither desired nor desirable. Thus, women approaching the menopause need safe and effective contraception. Finally, even after the menopause, women who have sex may continue to need the protection that condoms provide against sexually transmitted infections.
The UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) conducts research aimed at monitoring the impact of steroid hormonal contraceptives on women’s health.
