What is reproductive health?

Reproductive health, as defined by WHO, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions and processes. It implies that people have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when and how often. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) extend this to include bodily autonomy, freedom from coercion and violence, and access to information and services.

How many women have unmet contraceptive needs?

257 million women globally want to avoid pregnancy but have an unmet need for modern contraception — meaning they are not using any effective method. This results in approximately 121 million unintended pregnancies per year, of which about 45 million end in induced abortion. Many of these abortions are unsafe. Meeting the unmet need would prevent 67 million unintended pregnancies, 76,000 maternal deaths and 2 million newborn deaths annually.

What are the most effective contraceptive methods?

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are most effective: hormonal implants (>99% effective, 3-7 years); intrauterine devices — both hormonal (Mirena — >99% effective) and copper (>99% effective, up to 10 years). Short-acting hormonal methods: combined oral contraceptive pill (91% typical use), progestogen-only pill, injectable (Depo-Provera — 94% typical use), patch and ring. Barrier methods: male condom (85% typical use, with STI protection). Sterilisation: permanent, highly effective for both sexes.

What is female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons — encompassing clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation (the most severe, involving near-complete closure of the vaginal opening) and all other harmful procedures. It is practised in 31 countries — predominantly in West, East and Northeast Africa, and in parts of the Middle East and Asia. An estimated 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM. WHO condemns FGM as a human rights violation with no health benefits.

What are the health consequences of FGM?

Immediate consequences: severe pain, haemorrhage, infection, shock, death. Long-term consequences: chronic pelvic pain; vulvar cysts and abscesses; urinary tract and menstrual problems; scarring causing obstetric complications (obstructed labour, fistula, postpartum haemorrhage); painful intercourse; sexual dysfunction; and psychological consequences (PTSD, depression, anxiety). Infibulation carries particularly severe obstetric consequences — many women require defibulation before or during delivery.

What is the global infertility burden?

WHO's 2023 global infertility report estimated that 1 in 6 people globally (17.5%) experience infertility. Causes include ovulatory disorders, tubal damage (often from STIs), endometriosis, male factor infertility and unexplained causes. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) — IVF, ICSI — is highly effective but costs $5,000-15,000 per cycle, making it accessible only to the wealthy. WHO calls for infertility diagnosis and treatment to be included in UHC packages.

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception (EC) prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure — it does not cause abortion if a pregnancy is established. Methods: levonorgestrel pill (Plan B, Norlevo) taken within 72-120 hours — reduces pregnancy risk by 52-85%; ulipristal acetate (EllaOne) taken within 120 hours — 85% effective; copper IUD inserted within 5 days — >99% effective. EC is included on the WHO Essential Medicines List. Timely access after sexual violence is particularly important.

What is comprehensive sexuality education?

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) provides age-appropriate, scientifically accurate information about human sexuality, relationships, reproductive health, consent and rights — enabling young people to make informed decisions. UNESCO's International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (2018) provides the framework. Evidence shows CSE delays first sex, increases contraceptive use, reduces STIs and unintended pregnancies. It is often restricted or excluded from curricula due to moral or religious opposition.

How does reproductive health link to maternal mortality?

Meeting the unmet need for contraception is one of the most impactful maternal mortality reduction interventions — preventing 76,000 maternal deaths per year by preventing high-risk pregnancies (adolescent, closely spaced, high-parity). Quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care — covered in the GMJ Maternal Health hub — address mortality during pregnancy and childbirth. SRHR and maternal health are closely integrated in the WHO and UNFPA programmatic frameworks.

What is UNFPA's role in reproductive health?

UNFPA — the UN Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency — leads global advocacy and programming for SRHR. It publishes the annual State of World Population report, provides contraceptive supplies to LMICs, supports midwifery training, funds FGM elimination programmes, and advocates for SRHR as human rights. UNFPA's Three Transformative Results target: zero unmet need for family planning; zero preventable maternal deaths; and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices.

How does GMJ News cover reproductive health?

GMJ News covers UNFPA State of World Population data, contraceptive access, FGM elimination progress, infertility policy and SRHR as human rights. Reproductive health is a direct editorial priority for the Georgian Medical Journal's women's health section and for PHIG's public health work, given Georgia's demographic and reproductive health challenges.

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Reproductive Health

GMJ News knowledge hub · last reviewed September 2026 · Georgian Medical Journal

Summary Statistics Glossary GMJ news FAQ Documents Organizations Research

Reproductive health — the complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system — encompasses contraception, fertility, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence and sexual rights: 257 million women of reproductive age have an unmet need for modern contraception, and 1 in 10 couples globally face infertility (WHO/UNFPA). Meeting the unmet need for contraception alone would prevent 67 million unintended pregnancies and 76,000 maternal deaths per year. The UNFPA Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) framework and the SDG 3.7 target (universal access to sexual and reproductive health care) provide the global commitment.

Key messages

257 million with unmet need

257 million women of reproductive age who want to avoid pregnancy have an unmet need for modern contraception — leading to approximately 121 million unintended pregnancies per year and 45 million unsafe abortions (UNFPA).

Family planning is the best investment

Every $1 invested in family planning saves $2.20 in costs for maternal and newborn health, and up to $120 in overall development costs. Meeting the unmet need for contraception would prevent 67 million unintended pregnancies and 76,000 maternal deaths per year.

1 in 10 couples face infertility

Infertility affects approximately 1 in 6 people globally and 1 in 10 couples — yet assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains inaccessible to the vast majority in LMICs due to cost and availability.

FGM — 200 million women

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been performed on an estimated 200 million girls and women in 31 countries — causing severe immediate and long-term reproductive, sexual and mental health consequences. WHO strongly condemns FGM as a violation of human rights.

SRHR are human rights

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) — including the right to information, services and bodily autonomy — are recognised human rights. Denial of reproductive health services is a form of discrimination and violence.

SDG 3.7

SDG 3.7 calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services, including for family planning, information and education, by 2030. Progress is severely off-track globally.

Key statistics

257M

women with unmet contraception need

UNFPA 2022

121M

unintended pregnancies/year

UNFPA/Lancet

1 in 6

people globally affected by infertility

WHO 2023

200M

women/girls with FGM experience

WHO/UNICEF

76K

maternal deaths preventable with contraception

WHO/UNFPA

67M

unintended pregnancies prevented by meeting unmet need

WHO

Modern contraceptive prevalence rate by WHO region (% married/in-union women) — UNFPA 2023

Source: UNFPA State of World Population 2023. Significant variation by region; Sub-Saharan Africa lowest.

Glossary of key terms

Modern contraception
WHO/UNFPAMethods preventing pregnancy through barrier (condoms), hormonal (pills, injectables, implants, patches), intrauterine (IUD), permanent (sterilisation) or emergency (morning-after pill) mechanisms. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs — IUDs and implants) are the most effective.

Unmet need for contraception
WHO/UNFPAThe proportion of sexually active women who want to avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern contraceptive method. Unmet need reflects access barriers (cost, availability, provider opposition, social norms) rather than lack of desire for contraception.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
WHO/UNFPAThe full range of rights, services and information relating to sexuality, reproduction and bodily autonomy — including contraception, maternal health, STI prevention, infertility treatment, sexuality education and freedom from sexual violence.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)
WHOAll procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Classified into four types. Causes immediate complications (haemorrhage, infection) and long-term consequences (sexual dysfunction, obstetric complications, psychological trauma). A human rights violation.

Infertility
WHO 2023A disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Primary infertility (never achieved pregnancy) and secondary infertility (after one or more pregnancies). Affects approximately 1 in 6 people globally.

Emergency contraception (EC)
WHOContraception used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to prevent pregnancy — levonorgestrel pill (within 72 hours, up to 120 hours), ulipristal acetate (up to 120 hours) or copper IUD (up to 5 days). EC does not cause abortion — it prevents fertilisation or implantation.