Improving Sexual Health Through Better Information and

Sexual health information should already be made

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.