available to children as young as 12 years old.
Parents and the schools should provide both information
and guidance regarding reproductive health and
responsible sexual behavior. Of course, the level and
scope of information to be provided should be carefully
studied, selected, and presented in order to make the
young people understand the concepts and objectives
behind such a form of education. If delivered in a
positive, scientific yet easily understandable manner,
sexual health information could help open young
people's eyes to the need for better understanding of
sexual health and the demand for a higher sense of
responsibility for sexual behavior. Sex education in
schools and at home should cover a variety of topics
including menstruation, menopause, pregnancy,
fertility, and infertility. It should also address
issues about contraception, sexually transmitted
diseases, and proper understanding of the male and
female reproductive systems.
The monthly menstrual cycle is the process by which a
woman's body gets ready for the possibility of
fertilization or pregnancy. An average menstrual cycle
is 28 days from the start of one to the start of the
next, but this cycle can range from 21 days to 35 days.
Most menstrual periods last from three to five days. In
the United States, most girls start menstruating at age
12, but girls can start menstruating between the ages
of 8 and 16.
Sexual health information is not complete without an
extensive discussion on pregnancy. Women, and even men,
should gain knowledge and understanding about the
process of fertilization and the efforts that need to
be made during the usual nine months of the baby's life
in the womb. Usually, pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks,
or just more than nine months, from the start of the
last menstrual period to childbirth. Prenatal care is
also very important since this is the means to educate
parents about how to care for the baby in the woman's
womb. Getting early and regular prenatal care is
important for the health of both the mother and the
developing baby. But aside from reading books or
reading online articles about pregnancy, the pregnant
woman and her partner should regularly visit their
obstetrician-gynecologist or physician regarding how to
have a successful pregnancy or how to ensure proper
prenatal care.
Infertility is another important albeit often sensitive
topic for women. Infertility is the condition where a
woman is unable to get pregnant. It is often used to
describe women of normal childbearing age who
experience difficulties with getting pregnant or women
who are near or past their menopausal stage. Women who
are able to get pregnant but who cannot carry a
pregnancy to full term or actual birth are also
sometimes considered to be infertile. Having
infertility is a complex problem with no single known
cause. It is actually a result of a number of adverse
conditions or a chain of events that have an impact on
fertility.
Indeed, gaining more in-depth information about matters
relating to sexual health is crucial to our health. It
should cover the areas of sexual behavior, personal
care, and reproductive health. It is not only a means
to understand how we can protect ourselves from harm,
it is also a way to know how we can enjoy our existence
and promote new life.
