Brilio.net - Adolescence is a critical period in a person's development, including in terms of sexual and reproductive health. Unfortunately, sexual and reproductive health issues in adolescents are often considered taboo to be discussed openly. As a result, many adolescents face various reproductive health challenges without adequate knowledge.
Based on a survey by the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN), the knowledge index of Adolescent Reproductive Health in Indonesia is only 53.4%. Whereas understanding sexual and reproductive health is very important to achieve optimal welfare.
Data from the Ministry of Health shows that the prevalence of sexual and reproductive health problems among Indonesian teenagers continues to increase every year. An estimated 20-25% of all HIV infections in the world occur in teenagers. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of comprehensive sex education in schools and family environments.
Ignorance and myths surrounding sexual and reproductive health make teenagers vulnerable to risky behavior. Many teenagers feel ashamed or afraid to seek information or help regarding their reproductive health problems. This condition creates a vicious cycle where sexual and reproductive health problems continue to haunt teenagers without adequate solutions.
So what are the sexual and reproductive health problems that often haunt teenagers? Let's see the complete review below! Reported by brilio.net from various sources, Friday (23/8).
Sexual and reproductive health problems that often haunt teenagers.
photo: freepik.com
1. Unintended pregnancy (KTD)
Unintended pregnancy is one of the most significant reproductive health problems among adolescents. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), around 21 million adolescent girls aged 15-19 in developing countries experience pregnancy each year, and almost half of them are unplanned.
Factors that contribute to KTD in adolescents include lack of comprehensive sex education, limited access to contraception, and even social pressure. KTD can have serious impacts on adolescents' physical and mental health, including the risk of pregnancy and childbirth complications, dropping out of school, and social stigma.
A longitudinal study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute in 2020 showed that adolescents who experienced KTD had a higher risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and even other mental health problems compared to their peers who were not pregnant.
2. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are a serious threat to teen sexual health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that teens and young adults (ages 15-24) account for nearly half of the 20 million new STI cases that occur each year in the United States.
Common STIs among teens include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Many STIs have no symptoms, so they can go undetected and even spread without you realizing it. If left untreated, STIs can lead to long-term health problems such as infertility, cervical cancer, and an increased risk of HIV transmission.
3. HIV/AIDS
Despite advances in HIV prevention and treatment, adolescents remain a vulnerable group to HIV infection. UNAIDS reported that in 2020, an estimated 1.7 million adolescents aged 1019 years were living with HIV worldwide.
Factors that increase adolescent vulnerability to HIV include lack of knowledge about HIV prevention, limited access to health services, and risky behaviors such as unprotected sex and injecting drug use. Stigma and discrimination can sometimes prevent adolescents from seeking HIV information, testing, and care.
4. Menstrual disorders
Menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), irregular menstruation, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are often experienced by adolescent girls. A cross-sectional study conducted in Indonesia in 2020 published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology found that more than 70% of adolescent girls reported experiencing dysmenorrhea, with around 15% experiencing symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily activities.
Menstrual irregularities can affect a teenagers quality of life, lead to school absences, and sometimes signal a more serious health problem such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, many teenagers feel embarrassed or reluctant to seek medical help for their menstrual problems.
5. Sexual dysfunction
Although often thought of as an adult problem, sexual dysfunction can also affect teenagers. This can include problems such as dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), vaginismus in teenage girls, or erectile dysfunction and even premature ejaculation in teenage boys.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2018 found that approximately 15% of adolescent boys and 20% of adolescent girls reported at least one symptom of sexual dysfunction. Factors that contribute to sexual dysfunction in adolescents can include anxiety, depression, traumatic sexual experiences, or underlying medical conditions.
6. Varicocele
Varicocele is a condition in which the veins in the protective sac of the testicles (scrotum) become enlarged. Varicoceles are usually experienced by about 15 percent of adult men and 20 percent of adolescent boys. Common symptoms include pain like being hit by a blunt object when standing and differences in testicular size. This condition has the potential to cause infertility or decreased sperm quality in men.