Reproductive health and mental health – relations within the life cycle

Abstract

The concept of reproductive health, accepted by the World Health Organization in 1994, resembles the WHO definition of health. Hence, this definition relates health to an individual’s well-being in all areas related to reproductive activity. The application of such concept of reproductive health allows social sciences, including psychology, to enter the arena of research. Psychological approach seems crucial especially for analyses of reproductive failures and difficulties, which might affect mental health. The paper presents examples of possible relationships between reproductive health and mental health, with special focus on the following issues: 1) the role of hormonal changes in reproductive and post-reproductive phases of life, 2) the social determinants of human reproduction, 3) the role of factors that affect both reproductive and mental health. The example of relevant research studies are given.