HEALTHY SEXUALITY GRADE 11

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HEALTHY SEXUALITYGRADE 11
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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• SMOKING
• Females who smoke
• are at risk for lowering folic acid, Vitamin C
  and beta-carotene levels which can lead to
  infertility, delay in conception and menstrual
  disorders.
• have increased risk of spontaneous abortion
• Will have a child lower in birth weight due to
  reduced nutrients and oxygen to the fetus in
  utero.

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• SMOKING (CONT)
• Males who smoke
• May have the quality of their sperm affected.
• Marijuana may cause sperm reduction

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• ii) CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
• There are approximately 25 chemicals known to
  result in permanent damage to the developing
  fetus.
• Carbon Monoxide in car exhaust, kerosene heaters,
  and lead in paint strippers can result in low
  birth rate, still birth, and birth defects.

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• iii) MEDICATIONS
• Narcotics, tranquilizers, anti-depressants and
  blood pressure medications may cause erectile
  dysfunction in males.
• Some drugs may affect sperm production or
  ovulation.
• Some drugs may cause fetal defects (e.g.
  accutance treatment for acne, anti-coagulants,
  steroids).

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
NUTRITIONAL HEALTH

• Healthy eating ensures proper nutrients required
  preconceptually and prenatally.
• Anorexia and other eating disorders can cause
  loss of menstruation and infertility.

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
SEXUAL HEALTH HISTORY

• Multiple sexual partners increases the risk for
  STIs
• Women with multiple sexual partners are at risk
  to develop antibodies to sperm.
• Chlamydia is the leading cause of preventable
  infertility.
• 80 of women 25 of men with chlamydia have no
  symptoms.

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
SEXUAL HEALTH HISTORY (CONTD)

• 50 of women and 25 of men with gonnorhea have
  no symptoms.
• HPV (Genital Warts) is often the precursor to
  Cervical Dysplasia
• Cervical treatments may reduce fertility by
  causing scarring or damage to mucous-producing
  cells.

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
HORMONE GENETIC FACTORS

• Can affect sperm quality, production and
  ovulation.
• Congenital factors may impede the ability to
  conceive (e.g. born without uterus, etc)

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
PHYSIOLOGICAL PHYSCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO STRESS

• Psychological stress (e.g. depression, difficulty
  sleeping, anxiety) and physiological stress (e.g.
  increased muscle tension, lack of energy,
  nervousness) affect libido.
• Stress affects the ability to make healthy
  lifestyle choices (e.g. alcohol and substance
  use, smoking, decrease in physical activity, poor
  nutrition) which in turn affects fertility.

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FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
GENERAL HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

• Endometriosis can cause scarring, tubal blockage
  and possible immune responses.
• Tight clothing may affect sperm production (there
  is conflicting evidence here!)