Summary

About

Source: Gemini AI Overview

1. Maternal and perinatal health

• Maternal mortality
  Deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days of childbirth remain a global concern, especially in low-income countries. In 2023, over 700 women died daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

• Maternal morbidity
  Severe complications during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to significant short- and long-term health problems for women.

• Adverse birth outcomes
  Stillbirth, neonatal death, and premature birth are serious concerns often linked to maternal health and other factors.

• Importance of skilled care
  Access to skilled healthcare professionals throughout the maternal journey is critical for preventing deaths and complications. 

2. Family planning

• Unintended pregnancies
  Can lead to increased health risks for mothers and babies, particularly for young women.

• Contraception
  Access to contraception empowers individuals and couples to make informed decisions about family size and spacing, benefiting health, education, and economic well-being.

• Infertility
  The inability to conceive after regular unprotected sex can cause significant distress and is influenced by various factors in both men and women. Infertility affects an estimated 1 in 6 adults worldwide.

• Challenges in accessing family planning
  Barriers such as limited method availability, cost, age restrictions, and social stigma hinder access to family planning services for many. 

3. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Prevalence
  Over 1 million curable STIs are acquired daily globally, many of which are asymptomatic.

• Major types
  Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, herpes simplex virus (HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV) are common STIs with potentially serious consequences.

• Consequences of STIs
  Can lead to infertility, cancer (e.g., cervical cancer caused by HPV), pregnancy complications, and increased risk of HIV.

• Drug resistance
  Rising antibiotic resistance poses a major threat to effective STI treatment. 

4. Sexual dysfunction

• Definition
  A wide range of issues impacting sexual function and pleasure, affecting both men and women.

• Common issues
  Low desire, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, pain during sexual activity.

• Causes
  Underlying medical conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes), medications, mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety), relationship problems, and past trauma can all contribute.

• Treatment
  Multimodal approaches combining therapy (individual or couples counseling), medication, and addressing underlying physical or psychological factors can help improve sexual function and well-being.

5. Other important issues

• Reproductive cancers
  Cancers affecting the reproductive organs (e.g., uterine, breast, cervical) are significant health concerns, particularly for women.

• Sexual violence
  A serious violation of human rights with severe physical and psychological consequences.

• Harmful practices
  Practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) have severe negative impacts on women’s health and rights.

Addressing reproductive and sexual health challenges

• Improving access to care
  Expanding availability of quality services, particularly for marginalized populations, including individuals with disabilities.

• Combating stigma and discrimination
  Addressing societal biases, such as those faced by individuals with disabilities, and ensuring respectful treatment in healthcare settings.

• Providing comprehensive sexuality education
  Equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

• Addressing gender inequality and power imbalances
  Empowering individuals, especially women and girls, to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and lives.

• Strengthening health systems
  Ensuring adequate resources, trained personnel, and infrastructure to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare. 

Challenges

Reproductive and sexual health (RSH) is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, mental, and social factors. However, numerous challenges continue to impede access to and quality of RSH services and information worldwide. 

Initial Source for content: Gemini AI Overview 7/17/25

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1. Access to services and information

• Limited access
  Many individuals, particularly adolescents and youth, face difficulties accessing comprehensive and youth-friendly RSH services and information. These challenges can include geographical barriers, especially in rural areas, and insufficient infrastructure and personnel in healthcare facilities.

• Financial barriers
  Cost is a significant impediment to accessing RSH care, including contraceptives and abortion services, according to a study published on ScienceDirect.com. Individuals, particularly those with low incomes, may postpone or forgo essential care due to prohibitive costs or inadequate insurance coverage.

• Quality of care
  Beyond accessibility, the quality of care received can also be a challenge. Negative attitudes from healthcare providers, including judgmental behavior or a lack of sensitivity to diverse needs, can deter individuals from seeking services.

• Confidentiality concerns
  A fear of lack of confidentiality, particularly for adolescents and young people, can be a major barrier to seeking RSH services, especially in close-knit communities where discretion is crucial. 

2. Social and cultural barriers

• Stigma and discrimination
  Societal stigma surrounding discussions of sex, sexuality, and RSH services can deter individuals from seeking help or information. This is particularly true for vulnerable populations like adolescents, says BMC Public Health, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. 
• Cultural and religious beliefs
  Traditional gender roles, cultural norms, and religious beliefs can hinder access to RSH information and services, especially for women and young people, who may be discouraged from seeking contraception or family planning methods. 
• Gender inequality
  Gender inequality remains a significant barrier to accessing RSH services and education, according to the American Medical Women’s Association. Women, and particularly adolescent girls, may face a lack of autonomy in decision-making regarding their RSH, limited financial control, and restricted mobility to access services. 

3. Specific health challenges

• Unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions
  Globally, unintended pregnancies remain a major public health problem. This issue is closely linked to a lack of access to contraception and comprehensive sexuality education. Unsafe abortions, often a result of restrictive laws and policies, continue to pose significant health risks to women and adolescent girls.

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  STIs, including HIV, remain a major threat to RSH. Young people are disproportionately affected, accounting for half of the estimated 20 million new cases each year.

• Maternal mortality and morbidity
  Pregnancy and childbirth can be fraught with risks, particularly in resource-limited settings. Maternal mortality rates remain high in some regions, and marginalized populations, such as migrants and Roma women, face significant disparities in access to quality maternal care.

• Benign gynecological conditions (BGCs)
  Conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and polycystic ovary syndrome can cause significant morbidity and impact women’s quality of life. There is a need for greater awareness, research, and accessible treatment options for these conditions.

4. Policy and systemic issues

• Weak surveillance and data collection
  Inadequate systems for monitoring RSH trends and collecting data can hinder the development of effective interventions.

• Lack of legal and political support
  The RSH of vulnerable populations, such as adolescent girls, may be overlooked in policies and legislation, according to a study published by BioMed Central.

• Gender-biased healthcare systems
  Healthcare systems may not adequately address the specific RSH needs of both women and men, and gender-biased approaches can perpetuate inequalities. 

Innovations

Research and innovation in reproductive and sexual health are critical to improving global well-being and achieving key Sustainable Development Goals. Efforts focus on addressing challenges such as unintended pregnancies, STIs, infertility, and disparities in access to care.

Initial Source for content: Gemini AI Overview  7/17/25

[Enter your questions, feedback & content (e.g. blog posts, Google Slide or Word docs, YouTube videos) on innovative research related to this post in the “Comment” section below.  Post curators will review your comments & content and decide where and how to include it in this section.]

1. Advancements in contraception

• Improved Delivery Systems
  New methods, including longer-acting injections and user-controlled systems like a year-long vaginal ring, aim to enhance convenience and compliance.

• Novel Formulations
  Research explores using different hormones or lower doses to potentially reduce side effects and increase safety.

• Non-Hormonal Options
  Development of methods like vaginal rings that impede sperm motility are targeting individuals seeking non-hormonal contraception.

• Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs)
  Combining contraception with STI/HIV prevention into a single method is a significant area of focus, aiming to address overlapping health burdens.

2. Innovative diagnostic tools and technologies

• Rapid Point-of-Care (POC) Tests
  These tests provide quick results for STIs like HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, crucial for timely intervention, especially in resource-limited areas.

• High-Throughput Laboratory Tests
  Technologies like ELISA and PCR-based assays offer precision and efficiency for large-scale screening and confirming diagnoses.

• Home Testing and Telemedicine
  Digital platforms facilitate remote consultations, online prescriptions, and at-home STI testing, increasing accessibility and privacy.

• Advanced Technologies
  Next-generation sequencing (NGS), CRISPR-based diagnostics, and microfluidic technologies hold promise for more accurate, efficient, and accessible STI testing, says Meridian Bioscience.

3. Harnessing technology for better care

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is being integrated into various aspects of reproductive and sexual health.
  • Infertility treatment
    AI can improve the selection of sperm, oocytes, and embryos, and develop more accurate predictive models for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

  • Maternal health monitoring
    AI can analyze feto-maternal data from wearable sensors and other sources to detect complications early and provide real-time alerts.

  • Family planning and contraception
    AI helps guide contraceptive choices and personalize recommendations.

  • Combating misinformation
    AI can analyze online data to identify and debunk false information related to sexual and reproductive health.

  • Addressing inequities
    AI is used to identify barriers to care in marginalized communities and to improve access to services.

• Digital Health Interventions
  Interactive digital interventions (IDIs) offer sexual health information, counseling, and support, potentially reaching a wider audience and addressing issues like stigma and lack of information.

• FemTech
  Technology-based innovations specifically for women’s health, including period tracking apps and devices, aim to empower individuals with knowledge and tools for managing their reproductive health. 

4. Addressing infertility challenges

• Cryopreservation advancements
  Improved techniques for freezing eggs and embryos offer greater flexibility for prospective parents facing age or health concerns that may affect fertility.

• IVF laboratory innovations
  Automation and new culture systems in IVF labs are enhancing efficiency and potentially bringing fertility treatments to underserved areas.

• Sperm preparation advancements
  Newer methods like the Zymot Multi sperm preparation device aim to improve sperm quality for procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI), potentially increasing pregnancy rates. 

5. Overcoming ethical and implementation barriers

• Ethical considerations
  The use of AI in reproductive medicine raises complex questions about informed consent, potential risks to offspring, privacy concerns, and responsible use of technology, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• Addressing biases
  AI systems need careful development to avoid perpetuating biases and ensure equitable access to care for all populations, says BioMed Central.

• Infrastructure and training
  In low-resource settings, establishing collaborations, ensuring staff training, and building robust infrastructure are crucial for effective implementation of innovations.

• Global collaboration and preparedness
  Strong international partnerships are essential to developing and implementing effective strategies for addressing reproductive and sexual health challenges worldwide, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

Projects

The field of reproductive and sexual health (RSH) is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and a greater understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced globally. These challenges include high rates of unintended pregnancies, maternal and neonatal mortality, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and limited access to care, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Initial Source for content: Gemini AI Overview  7/17/25

[Enter your questions, feedback & content (e.g. blog posts, Google Slide or Word docs, YouTube videos) on current and future projects implementing solutions to this post challenges in the “Comment” section below.  Post curators will review your comments & content and decide where and how to include it in this section.]

1. Technological advancements

• Digital Health and Telemedicine
  Telehealth platforms are transforming RSH by offering virtual consultations, counseling, and prescriptions, thereby expanding access to care, especially in remote or underserved areas.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
  AI is being integrated into five core areas of RSH.
  • Improving antenatal, perinatal, postpartum, and newborn care.
  • Enhancing contraception and infertility services.
  • Eliminating unsafe abortions.
  • Preventing and treating STIs, including HIV.
  • Addressing cervical cancer.

• Wearable Technology
  Devices such as smartwatches, rings, and specialized health monitors track vital signs, activity levels, sleep patterns, and menstruation cycles. This empowers individuals to manage their reproductive health and allows for remote monitoring of pregnancies and potential complications.

• Gene Editing and Stem Cell Technology
  Ongoing research into techniques like CRISPR holds the potential to address genetic issues and infertility with unprecedented precision.

• IVF Innovations
  Advances include improved techniques for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), enhanced embryo screening, cryopreservation methods (such as vitrification for freezing eggs and embryos), and microfluidics for sperm selection, all aimed at improving success rates.

• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
  NIPT utilizes maternal blood samples to screen for genetic conditions in the fetus, offering a safe and early detection method.

2. Innovative delivery models and accessibility

• Self-Care for RSH
  This involves enabling individuals to manage aspects of their own RSH, including self-administered non-prescription contraception, emergency contraception, self-managed abortion, self-testing for STIs, and using tracking apps for menstrual cycles and fertility.

• Public Vending Machines for Testing
  Providing easy and confidential access to HIV/STI test kits, particularly in communities where stigma or lack of access might be a barrier, has been successful in some areas.

• Training and Education
  Initiatives include strengthening health systems, improving competency-based training for healthcare workers on inclusive communication, and providing comprehensive sexuality education.

• Family Planning Initiatives
  The Gates Foundation, among others, is investing in developing and improving contraceptive technologies, supporting programs that reflect local preferences, and ensuring access to family planning information and services.

• Addressing Health Inequities
  Organizations are using AI-driven analytics to identify barriers to RSH care among marginalized communities and inform targeted interventions. Examples include chatbots like “Nurse Nisa,” which provides information on contraception and abortion in African countries.

• Improving Access for People with Disabilities
  Efforts are being made to ensure non-discrimination, contraceptive equity, and access to services like telehealth medication abortion (TMAB) for individuals with disabilities.

3. Advancements in contraception

• Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
  Methods like IUDs and implants are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness and ease of use, with ongoing developments in lower-dose and smaller IUDs.

• Novel Delivery Systems
  Innovations include safer oral contraceptive pills, new delivery methods like vaginal rings and transdermal patches (sprays and gels), and the potential for combination methods that also protect against STIs.

• On-Demand Contraception
  Research is exploring methods for occasional use, such as vaginal gels or pills taken before or after intercourse.

• Male Contraception
  Although development is progressing slowly, research into non-hormonal methods and longer-acting implants is ongoing.

4. Addressing climate change impacts on RSH

• Building Resilient Health Systems
  Efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare systems to withstand climate-related disruptions and ensure continuity of RSH services, especially in areas prone to climate disasters.

• Addressing Climate Change as a Threat to RSH
  Recognition of the link between climate change and adverse RSH outcomes, such as maternal and newborn health complications, gender-based violence, and human trafficking, is growing. 

5. Combating STIs and HIV

• HIV Prevention Technologies
  Includes advancements in HIV testing, medications to prevent transmission (e.g., Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP, Treatment as Prevention or TasP), and interventions to improve access to prevention tools, such as syringe services programs and condom distribution.

• STI Surveillance and Control
  The CDC is engaged in various projects and initiatives, including STI Awareness Week, disease intervention efforts, and the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC), to enhance understanding and control of STIs.

• Innovations in Testing
  New point-of-care HIV diagnostics and devices that allow for at-home STI testing are making testing more accessible and convenient.

• Microbicides and Dual Protection Methods
  Research is focused on developing vaginal gels and rings that deliver both a contraceptive and an agent active against STIs, including HIV.