What is the definition of reproductive health?

The currently most recognized definition of reproductive health in the world comes from the World Health Organization's clear definition at the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development in 1994 - it refers to the complete state of physical, psychological and social adaptation related to the reproductive system, reproductive functions and reproductive processes at all stages of life, not just the absence of disease or dysfunction.

I have been doing grassroots reproductive health education in the community for almost 8 years, and the most common misunderstanding I encountered is that reproductive health is narrowed down to "being able to have children and not having sexually transmitted diseases." Last month, I treated a little girl who had just entered college. Her menstrual cramps were so painful that she had to take 3 painkillers every time before she could get out of bed. Her roommate also told her "It will be fine when you get married and have children later, it's not a problem." She also thought that as long as she could get pregnant in the future, she would be fine. She did not realize that long-term severe menstrual cramps might be a sign of endometriosis. This is actually a typical misunderstanding that equates "disease-free" with health.

Of course, this definition has different interpretations in different cultural and policy contexts. Some areas where religions dominate do not recognize contraception and artificial abortion as reproductive health services, and believe that such content violates their outlook on life.； In some underdeveloped areas where medical resources are scarce, at this stage, core indicators such as maternal mortality and birth defect rates can only be regarded as the entire focus of reproductive health work, which temporarily cannot cover extended needs such as psychological counseling and fertility preservation.

Two months ago, a 38-year-old unmarried female executive came to consult about egg freezing. She had not yet made up her mind about having a child. She had recently been diagnosed with signs of premature ovarian failure and wanted to freeze her eggs first to make a way out. However, according to our current domestic assisted reproductive management regulations, unmarried women cannot receive such services. She was very depressed at the time. In fact, this is a game between individual reproductive needs and social public policies, and it is also the most realistic embodiment of the dimension of "complete social adaptation" in the definition of reproductive health.

To put it bluntly, reproductive health is a bit like when we perform water and electricity maintenance at home. We should not just look at whether water can come out and whether electricity can be connected, but also whether the water pipes leak, whether the voltage is stable, whether there are any safety hazards when using it, and whether it is comfortable to use. It has never been an "exclusive topic" for people of childbearing age. From the screening of newborn reproductive organ development, sexual psychology guidance in adolescence, to contraceptive guidance in middle age, and maintenance of the genitourinary system during menopause, this topic cannot be avoided in the entire life cycle.