Knowing your reproductive health is essential for you and if in doubt consult a fertility expert as soon as possible. Understanding reproductive health is important for a person’s overall health and well-being, as people unfortunately fail to realize that their fertility begins to decline in their 30s and mistakenly believe that fertility potential is also high in their 40s.
Do you want to succeed in sexual health? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ritu Hinduja, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility in Mumbai, promised that you can achieve this with the help of these 8 reproductive health goals or resolutions. Now consider your sexual health and set goals:
1. Practice safe sex
No matter how many partners you currently have or how long you’ve been with one person, safer sex should always be a top priority. To be safe and reduce your chance of unexpected pregnancy, use preventative measures such as condoms, dental dams, vaginal condoms, etc. and educate yourself about your own sexual health.
2. Increase your knowledge about fertility
Learn about the “fertile window,” which is the roughly six-day period that ends on the day of ovulation, once you decide to conceive (or even before). The chances of a sexual encounter leading to pregnancy are highest at this time. The risk of pregnancy after a single intercourse rises during this time in women who rated their menstrual cycles as “mostly regular,” but correctly predicting ovulation can be difficult. In women with regular menstrual cycles, increase the frequency of sexual activity, starting shortly after the end of menstruation and continuing until ovulation to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.
3. Consult your partner
When it comes to your sexual health, it’s critical that you and your partner are on the same wavelength. The only way to ensure you share the same ideals is to “have the talk,” which may seem difficult. Here are some topics to talk about: – “I’ve considered moving forward with our relationship, but I want to get tested for STIs first. Would you be open to taking the exam with me?” “I think it’s crucial to get tested before having sex.” “I’ve heard that STIs can go undetected for years without routine testing. Have you ever been tested?
4. Take an HIV/STD test
Everyone who is sexually active should get tested for HIV/STI whether they think it’s necessary or not. You or your partner(s) may be carriers of an STI without knowing it, because many STIs do not show any symptoms. Even without considering the many health benefits of early identification and treatment, it’s worth getting tested for HIV/STDs.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Setting healthy goals for yourself, such as quitting smoking, not using drugs, and cutting down on alcohol, can have a big effect on both your general and sexual health. Being sexually active can greatly benefit from maintaining a good diet and taking care of your mental health, especially if you are considering getting pregnant.
8. Plan your annual wellness visit
If you have not already done so, make an appointment for your well-being examination. Why are you holding on? Delaying it can damage your health and increase the danger to you and your partner. You can get the tools and help you need to feel comfortable by discussing any questions or concerns about your sexual health with your healthcare provider. It’s critical to be open and honest with your doctor. Knowing your medical history truthfully can help you identify potential risk factors and the safety precautions you should take. If you’re planning to start a family this year, get preconception counseling to answer your questions and allay your fears.