Biological, Nutritional, Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Reproduction - Essay Example

?Critically Discuss The Optimal Conditions Required To Achieve A Healthy Reproducing Body. Your Answer Should Consider Biological, Nutritional, Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Reproduction. Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Biological Context 3 Nutritional Context 5 Psychological Context 7 Sociological Context 8 Conclusion 10 References 12 Introduction According to the statement proclaimed by International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, it can be referred that it is the right of both men and women to be well informed of the different affordable, acceptable and effective methods associated with family planning so as to develop a healthy reproducing body (World Health Organisation, 2011). In this context, to attain a healthy reproducing body, it is necessary for humans to adapt suitable conditions, which will foster accelerated effectiveness (World Health Organisation, 2011). This paper intends to discuss about the optimal conditions required to achieve a healthy reproducing body. Critically discussing the optimal conditions, the paper thus evaluates biological, nutritional, psychological and sociological factors as the primary conditional requirements of having a healthy reproducing body. Biological Context Reproductive health frames a crucial part in overall development of a human. Healthy reproductive system is often signified as a reflection associated with health during childhood. Gradually, at the stage of adolescence and adulthood, this health issue becomes a crucial concern for an individual. Contextually, it becomes a major issue to be considered as it incorporates stages associated with health beyond the reproductive years of human and severely affects the next generation. Critically, it has been observed that health problems associated with the reproductive system of humans usually commences during the procreative years. Furthermore, considering few health articles related to healthy reproductive body, it has been observed that in the year 2002, 12% of women reported about not being able to conceive, who were also diagnosed with health issues during their procreative years. This signifies a correlation between the two factors, i.e. the health issues suffered during the procreative years and the ability to conceive among women. Articles also provided an insight about biological disorders such as fibroid, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome among other causes of infertility (Medicine Net Incorporation, 2013). Concerning health issues related to reproductive system in males, 60% of males around the world, were recorded to be facing testicular cancer as per the reports of 2003 (Medicine Net Incorporation, 2013). Moreover, it has been revealed through scientific research that disorders within the reproductive system of males reduce the sperm counts, which ultimately hinders the effective process of the male reproductive system. Correspondingly, all these aforementioned causes of health issues and disorder resulting from the inefficient functioning of human reproductive system entail certain biological conditions to ensure healthy reproduction body. To be mentioned, endometriosis is commonly referred as a disease, which signifies the abnormal growth of the ovarian cells resulting in infertility. Physical examination and proper medication is necessary to cure this disease, which lays positive impacts on a healthy reproductive body. It has commonly been observed that healthcare practitioners opt for surgery to cure endometriosis (Medicine Net Incorporation, 2013). Similar to endometriosis in female reproductive systems, testicular cancer is being identified as a greater rate among men in the current scenario. It is conceptually defined as a disease, which obstructs the male reproduction system from proper functioning. As per medical practitioners, immediate medical aid is required for this disease, as it may further lead to life threat of the patient. Correspondingly, all such diseases and disorders among others need to be considered with proper medical treatment for execution of healthy reproduction systems (Medicine Net Incorporation, 2013). Obesity, and the consequent mental pressure observed on the individual, has also been examined as strongly connected with the ineffective functioning of the reproductive system. Among women, the infertility rate due to obesity is higher as compared to males. Obesity in males reduces the sperm counts, which drastically affects their reproductive system. On the basis of further analysis, it has been comprehended that obesity within females increases their infertility rate, which results in early miscarriages and complications during labour pain (The President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2013). Nutritional Context Scientific observations in the recent decade have revealed a strongly adverse impact of nutrition on the healthy reproductive system of human body. On further analysis, it was comprehended that nutritional therapy ensures to act as an effective method for accelerating improved fertility rates and reduction in the degree of abdominal pain suffered by women during menstruation. Through continuous scientific observations, it was also revealed that nutrient food assists in proper digestion and excretion of body wastes, which is essential to build a healthy reproductive system (Gaila, 2006). In the recent decade, studies have also been conducted to reflect upon the association of semen production capability of a male reproduction system and their diet quality. According to a survey report, by Rochester New York, it was revealed that 83% of impotent males follow a dietary chart serving them with inadequate nutrition. Nutrition also has a close connection with the premenstrual cycle of females. Hormonal balances play a significant role during menstrual cycle, which drastically affects the state of mind and the physical well-being of a female. During the menstrual cycle, intake of food needs to be increased so as to support the healthy functioning of the body. However, in general cases, females are often observed to reduce their quantity of food intake during their menstrual cycle, which further hinders their capability of reproducing. These evidences provide an in-depth understanding about the impact of nutrients on effective functioning of the human reproductive system (State Government of Victoria, 2013). Another significant attribute required for having a health reproducing body is iron. Iron is commonly referred to a mineral, which is also considered as a vital nutrient that must be absorbed by humans. Previous medical observations, as noted in State Government of Victoria (2013), revealed that iron helps in the formation of haemoglobin within the humans. Iron deficiency therefore can be signified as the most common nutritional deficiency within humans, which also affects their healthy reproductive systems. It is thus advisable for normal human beings to intake dietary irons in the form of meat, cereals and green vegetables among others, which will assist them in mitigating nutritional deficiency to a greater extent and therefore, build a healthy reproductive system (State Government of Victoria, 2013). Nutrients play a vital role during pregnancy in females, as vitamins and minerals through the mother’s womb frame an essential element for the development of the foetus in the incumbent stage. Doctors usually advise the expected mothers to go for nutritional diet with higher quantity of vitamins and minerals in order to support a healthy growth of the foetus in the womb and also after their birth during infancy. Furthermore, calcium can be identified as another nutrient element, which also frames an essential nutrient for female body to conceive. Calcium deficiency is mainly faced by females by the time their reproduction system is matured. Thus, it is necessary for them to inculcate dietary routine consisting rich quantity of calcium to avoid unwanted circumstances during pregnancy (State Government of Victoria, 2013). Proper nutritional diet also enhances the fertility rate of humans, which ultimately leads to a contended sexual life and better reproducing capability among both females and males (State Government of Victoria, 2013). Thus, it can be ascertained that nutritional diet intake, fosters healthy reproductive system within humans. Psychological Context Psychological impacts over humans play a vital role in ensuring effective functioning of their reproductive systems. Evidences reflect numerous psychological factors, which create obstacles in having a normal sexual life between couples. Among other psychological factors, sexual abuse can be regarded as one of the crucial factors responsible for hindered reproducing capability of a female or a male. Correspondingly, it has been observed that in the present day context, around 15% to 25% of the females suffer from psychological disorders due to sexual abuse. In this regard, psychological issues are often observed to lead towards adverse health conditions, which also affect the reproductive system of the humans. For instance, a person facing sexual abuses from a younger age, may develop reluctance to sexual relations or lose excitement, which may in turn result in their lacuna of sperm production or ovule production. Abdominal pain and the gastrointestinal disorders are also accounted as few common results of sexual abuse. In relation to the psychological context, the optimal conditions required for healthy reproducing body must incorporate medical along with psychiatric treatments (Leserman, 2005). Evidence complying with psychological factors that have been found to affect the healthy reproductive systems of the human body, reflects about the male gender issues. In this context, it has been critically discussed that the male dominated factor, which governs the psychology of females play a significant role. Such psychological factors lead to stress and depression within females, which lay a greater impact on the sexual life of the couples, resulting in ineffective functioning of their reproductive systems. Thus, it is essential to have adequate mental calmness to have a healthy reproducing body (Stotland, 1990; World Health Organization, 2009). Sociological Context Environment, races, demographic influences, beliefs and norms among others are few factors affecting the healthy reproductive systems of individuals in respect to the social context. Warren & Perlroth (2001), in their study argue that the accelerated level of population in recent era has contributed to a greater extent in the ineffectiveness of the functioning of the reproductive system, especially among females. Increased exposure to the impurities present within the atmosphere has laid an immense impact over having a healthy reproductive body today. Environmental toxicants potentially affect the cyclical process of the reproductive system in human bodies to a greater extent as people are now exposed to Ultra Violet rays, they breath in polluted air and even their tendency towards fast food regularly create hindrances in their reproductive system (Warren & Perlroth, 2001). As a matter of fact, food stuffs and unhealthy eating habits also contribute in the ineffectiveness of the functioning of healthy reproductive system. Commonly used pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) creates harmful effects over a human body, which also inhibits their reproducing system. In an observation recently conducted, it has been apprehended that an accelerated rate of children are suffering from the problems related to reproductive system. The prior reason behind this problem is extensive exposure to reproductive toxicants. Studies, in this regard reveal that the major sources of the reproductive toxicants come to contact with human body through diet, water and the air. Range of diseases that result from the reproductive toxicants comprises of foetal death, impaired fertility and abnormalities in the reproductive organs among others. Reproductive toxicants, being an intense disease associated with environment, needs immediate medical treatment for relief. Furthermore, in the recent era, it has been observed that women are getting extremely health conscious. The health benefits are definitely related with body exercises, but intense exercise may also lead to adverse conditions when concentrating on the healthy reproductive system. In a recently conducted survey report, it has been analysed that intense exercise attended by women leads to immense adverse effects over their health. It is owing to this reason that majority of the female athletes suffer from various health issues related to reproductive system (Warren & Perlroth, 2001). Studies have also found that accurate time period of marriage and appropriate age group fosters healthy reproductive body. In recent scenario, with the advent of globalisation and modernisation, a change has been viewed within the society. In the process of sustainability amidst competition and the urge to earn a better livelihood, humans have built a tendency of getting married at an older age, when their reproductive system tends to get weaker. Racial discrimination is another main cause that hinders effective functioning of the human reproductive system. Accelerated rate of abortions and physical torture under certain circumstances also contributes in ineffectiveness of human reproductive system, which ultimately affects the society at large (NCBI, 2006; Hollander, 1997). Conclusion To sum up, the consequences of overall factors, which comprises of biological, nutritional, psychological and sociological elements altogether impose an adverse effect over a healthy reproductive body. It has been ascertained from the above discussion that imbalances in the aforementioned factors may lead to ineffective functioning of the human reproductive system. Biological context also depicts about the medicinal affects and the medical treatments which contribute to healthy human reproductive system. Nutrition is also a vital factor, which a body requires essentially to build a healthy reproductive system. Mitigating nutritional deficiencies may further help in achieving healthy reproductive body. Correspondingly, the above discussion reveals that psychological factors also impose a greater impact over human mind and body, which includes the reproductive system of humans. Furthermore, societal influences and impacts have shown a greater contribution towards the attainment of effective functioning of the human reproductive system. References Gaila, 2006. Nutrition Plays a Role in Reproductive Health. Treatment Approach. [Online] Available at: http://drgaila.com/2012/01/07/nutrition-plays-a-role-in-reproductive-health/ [Accessed September 30, 2013]. Hollander, D., 1997. Environmental Effects on Reproductive Health: The Endocrine Disruption Hypothesis. Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 29, No. 2. Leserman, 2005. Sexual Abuse History: Prevalence, Health Effects, Mediators, and Psychological Treatment. The American Psychosomatic Society, pp. 1-10. Medicine Net Incorporation, 2013. Endometriosis Facts. Common Endometriosis Symptoms. [Online] Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/endometriosis/article.htm [Accessed September 30, 2013]. Medicine Net Incorporation, 2013. What Is Testicular Cancer? Testicular Cancer. [Online] Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/testicular_cancer/article.htm [Accessed September 30, 2013]. NCBI, 2006. Advanced Paternal Age: How Old Is Too Old? J Epidemiol Community Health, Vol.60, No. 10, pp. 851-853. State Government of Victoria, 2013. Nutrition and Premenstrual Syndrome. Nutrition - Women's Extra Needs. [Online] Available at: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Nutrition_womens_extra_needs [Accessed September 30, 2013]. Stotland, N. L., 1990. Psychiatric Aspects of Reproductive Technology Issues in Psychiatry. American Psychiatric Pub. The President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2013. Health Risks. The Obesity Prevention Source. [Online] Available at: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-consequences/health-effects/ [Accessed September 30, 2013]. World Health Organisation, 2011. Training Module 1Children's Environmental Health. Introduction to Reproductive Health and the Environment. [Online] Available at: http://www.who.int/ceh/capacity/introduction_reproductive.pdf [Accessed September 30, 2013]. World Health Organization, 2009. Mental Health Aspects of Women’s Reproductive Health. A Global Review of the Literature. [Online] Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241563567_eng.pdf [Accessed September 30, 2013]. Warren, M. P. & Perlroth, N. E., 2001. Hormones and Sport: The Effects of Intense Exercise on the Female Reproductive System. Journal of Endocrinology, Vol. 170, pp. 3-11. Read More