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Reproductive health

Within the framework of WHO's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life. Reproductive health, therefore, implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.

Implicit in this are the right of men and women to be informed of and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of fertility regulation of their choice, and the right of access to appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Fact sheets on reproductive health

MULTIMEDIA

Features: reproductive, maternal and child health

WHO PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES

About the Department of Reproductive Health and Research

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN WHO REGIONS

African Region
Region of the Americas–PAHO
South-East Asia Region
European Region
Eastern Mediterranean Region
Western Pacific Region

PARTNERS

UNDP/UNFPA/World Bank/WHO Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction

Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Promoting family planning

Controlling sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections

- More about reproductive health

PUBLICATIONS

Comprehensive cervical cancer control: a guide to essential practice

The global elimination of congenital syphilis: rationale and strategy for action

- More publications on reproductive health

STATISTICS

Monitoring and evaluation

RELATED TOPICS

Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV: antiretroviral prophylaxis offers promise
Making pregnancy safer
Gender, women and health
Adolescents


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