Factualism and Reproductive Health

Author: Raji Ranjan

Mentor: Akshay Badekar
Academic Year: 2022-2023
Subject: Biology
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to
all those who gave me the possibility to complete this
project. Special thanks is due to my teacher, Mr. Akshay
Badekar whose help, stimulating suggestions and
encouragement helped me in all time fabrication process
and writing this project. I also sincerely thank for the
time spent proofreading and correcting my many
mistakes.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to our Principal
Ma’am, Mrs. Aditi Banerji for providing with all the
facility that was required.
Lastly, I would also like to thank my parents who helped
me complete this project in the limited time frame.

INDEX
Sr. No Content Page No.
1 Abstract
2 Research Question
3 Keywords
4 Introduction
5 Rationale
6 Methodology
7 Survey Results
8 Conclusion
9 Bibliography
ABSTRACT
The project is based on the research question “What are
the various misconceptions about human reproductive
health among people and what causes them?” This study
investigated what are the various myths about human
reproductive health among people and what are the
potential causes of the same. The research was initiated
to test the hypothesis that there is still a lot of confusion
about various aspects relating to the reproductive health
of humans. Analytical tests and surveys were conducted
to interpret the knowledge about reproductive health
among people. Through my research it was found that
there certainly there still are many doubts and questions
concerning reproductive health among the people and
some causes for the was found too.
RESEARCH QUESTION
What are the various misconceptions about human
reproductive health among people and what causes
them?

KEYWORDS
Reproductive health, Myths, Facts, Misconceptions

INTRODUCTION
According to WHO (World Health Organisation),
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not merely the absence
of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the
reproductive system and to its functions and processes.
Reproductive health implies that people are able to have
a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the
capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if,
when and how often to do so. Promoting discussions
about male and female reproductive health is important
to eradicate the persistent rise of misconceptions.
Discussing reproductive health and fertility is a very
sensitive subject. However, clear education allows you to
develop a better notion of what’s right and what we have
known to be a clear myth.

RATIONALE
Personal Response:
 I, Raji Ranjan, student of grade 11 of Lodha
World School, Palava have often come across
various things concerning human reproductive
health through several sources, some that I am
aware are true. This made me wonder of how
many myths are still persistent among the
people and why this occurs. I decided to do
further research about the same. After going in-
depth in the arisen que
 stion I could make certain assumptions.
 This is caused because of lack of awareness
among the people.
 It arises because human reproductive health is
still not being talked about openly and not many
people know about them.
 It has been told to people from previous
generations thus have become a existent truth
for them.

Other Reasons:
While conducting a thorough research to obtain
more clarity and justification on the topic the
following information was found.
 Inadequate sex education: Poor sex education
may partially account for questions that reveal a
lack of basic understanding about reproductive
health.
 Misinformation on the Internet: Studies of
Internet users have shown that many people
turn to the Internet for health information,
particularly for sensitive or stigmatized topics
such as sexual diseases, contraception,
pregnancy, and abortion. Yet the reliability of
health information online varies, making the
Internet a source of common myths,
misconceptions, and urban legends about sexual
health
 Non-Evidence based Medicine and Medical
Protocols: Ironically, the sources for some of
these myths and misconceptions circulating on
the Internet are medical science itself. For
example, theory of implantation bleeding was
found in a 1954 JAMA article. It has often been
repeated by both scholarly and popular sources,
 yet subsequent research has demonstrated that
implantation causes vaginal bleeding.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A questionnaire was released in the form of an online
form where the attempters were asked to identify the
statements given as facts or myths. The questionnaire
included the following statements:
General Questions About Human Reproductive Health:
 Stress affects sexual health and fertility in humans.
 Having intercourse frequently betters the chances of
conception.
 Drinking sugar sweetened beverages can harm
fertility.
 A penis has a bone in it.
 Sperm is the smallest cell of the body.
 Gynaecologists specialize in the delivery of a child.
 Infertility is rare.
 Gynaecologists specialize in both male and female
reproductive health.
Questions About Female Reproductive Health:
 Missing periods indicate pregnancy.
 Giving birth results in increase in the size of the
vaginal opening in females.
 Breast cancer is caused only in females.
 Infertility is a psychological issue. Relaxing is enough
for a woman to be able to become pregnant
  If you have already become pregnant you don’t have
to worry about infertility.
 If a female has her period she cannot swim.
 A female cannot get pregnant if she has sex during
her period.
 Contraceptives are abortifacients.
 The pH of vagina is acidic in nature.
 Taking contraceptives makes the changes of getting
pregnant zero.
 Urinating after intercourse helps prevent pregnancy.
 In females, eggs are formed during every cycle.
 Menstruation occurs only through the vagina
 Urinating after intercourse helps prevent infections
Questions about Male Reproductive Health:
 Cycling affect fertility in males.
 Sperms can survive only for a short period after
ejaculation.
 Sperm production and quality remains constant even
with age.
 Taking supplements of testosterone increases
fertility.
 Drinking harms fertility in men.
 Sperm and semen mean the same thing.
  Sperm production takes long time.
 Sperm count varies with geographical location and
ethnicity.
 Pre-ejaculation cannot cause pregnancy as they do
not contain sperm.
 Sperm cells are great swimmers.
 Cell phones and laptops, affect semen quality.

SURVEY RESULTS:
General Questions About Human Reproductive Health:
Questions About Female Reproductive Health:
Questions about Male Reproductive Health:
General Survey:
From the survey conducted it was observed that:
 The following statements were opted incorrectly my
most people:
o Sperm is the smallest cell of the body.
o Having intercourse frequently betters the
chances of conception.
o Sperms can survive only for a short period after
ejaculation.
o Sperm production takes long time.
o Menstruation occurs only through the vagina.
o In females, eggs are formed during every cycle.
o Giving birth results in increase in the size of the
vaginal opening in females.
o Missing periods indicate pregnancy
 The following statements had the most correct
responses:
o Infertility is a psychological issue. Relaxing is
enough for a woman to be able to become
pregnant.
o If a female has her period she cannot swim.
o The pH of vagina is acidic in nature.
o Taking contraceptives makes the changes of
getting pregnant zero.
 o Urinating after intercourse helps prevent
pregnancy.
o Sperm cells are great swimmers.
o Sperm and semen mean the same thing.
o Drinking harms fertility in men
o Taking supplements of testosterone increases
fertility.
o Sperm production and quality remains constant
even with age.
o Cycling affect fertility in males .
o Stress affects sexual health and fertility in
humans.
o A penis has a bone in it.
o Infertility is a psychological issue. Relaxing is
enough for a woman to be able to become
pregnant.
o If a female has her period she cannot swim.
 It was seen most misconceptions were found related
to female reproductive health.
 The sources mentioned in the survey included books,
acquaintance and internet.
 CONCLUSION:
One of the easiest ways to maintain optimal male
reproductive health is by knowing the functioning
and educating yourself about the rights and wrongs.
Also, if you feel something amiss with your
reproductive well-being, don’t shy away from getting
the medical help that you need. It’s time that we
break the stigma surrounding discussing
reproductive and sexual health without barriers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
 10 Myths And Facts About Male Reproductive Health
– PregaJunction
 Popular Sexual Health Myths That People Still Get
Wrong - Blog | Everlywell: Home Health Testing
Made Easy
 Beliefs and misconceptions about contraception and
condom use among adolescents in south-east
Nigeria | Reproductive Health | Full Text
(biomedcentral.com)
 10 Myths About Reproductive Health (cosmo.ph)
 (PDF) Misconceptions and Ignorance About Sexual
and Reproductive Health (researchgate.net)
 Sexual and Reproductive Health: Knowledge,
Attitude, and Perceptions among Young Unmarried
Male Residents of Delhi (hindawi.com)