Reproductive health matters at all stages of our lives. It begins before adolescence with sexual health education and continues beyond the years of reproduction with post-reproductive services.
Reproductive health is important for all individuals, couples and families in Ireland, with most women and men needing support from reproductive services at some time in their lives.
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. It combines people’s ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to bear children.
NWCI advocates for the provision of comprehensive reproductive and sexual health services that are designed around the lives of women and girls.
A model for reproductive healthcare includes
| Priority area | Including |
| Relationship and sexual health education |
Relationship and sexual health education Consent programmes for young people and public information campaigns |
| Affordable and accessible contraception | Access to contraception, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and emergency contraception |
| Reproductive and sexual health services |
Specialist treatment for reproductive diseases Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV |
| Comprehensive pregnancy care, including abortion when needed | Pre-conceptual care, including fertility treatment Maternity care, ante and post-natal care Abortion and abortion after-care |
| Reproductive cancer care | Vaccination, screening and treatment |
| Menopause services | Support and advice around fertility and contraception during perimenopause |
Like all health services, reproductive health services should be based on a number of key principles:
private
The confidentiality between the doctor and the patient must be protected. All decisions should be private, personal and confidential.
Comprehensive
Services should provide for all reproductive health needs of women and girls.
Adequately funded
Services should receive appropriate funding that ensures timely access.
Accessible
Care options should be publicly funded and available to all through the public health system.
High quality
Services must comply with best medical practice, standards and safeguards.
