Stem cells are undifferentiated cells which are capable of reproducing themselves (self-renewal) and differentiating into different types of cells. The two main properties of stem cells are self-renewal and potency which allow them to differentiate into any kind of cells. Recently in 2004, two studies showed that ovaries do contain stem cells which form oocytes in adults and that can be cultured in vitro into mature oocytes. Another study provided novel evidence of endometrial regeneration by stem cells in women who received bone marrow transplants. This finding has potential for the use in treatment of uterine disorders. It also supports a new theory for the cause of endometriosis, which is a condition in which cells similar to those in the endometrium grows outside of it.

 

Reproductive technology encloses all current and awaited uses of technology in human and animal reproduction. This includes assisted reproductive technology, contraception and others. Assisted reproductive technology is the use of reproductive technology to treat low fertility or infertility and is currently the only form of reproductive technology in clinical use.

Fertility is the ability to conceive and produce offspring. Human fertility relies upon numerous factors like nutrition, sexual conduct, consanguinity, culture, intuition, endocrinology, timing, financial matters, lifestyle, emotions, etc. A woman’s most fertile time is during ovulation. Ovulation occurs within 11^th to 21^st day of a woman’s cycle.  Infertility is a condition which is found in both men and women, and both of them are affected almost equally. Infertility in men and woman can also be treated with assisted reproductive technology, or ART.

In men, sterility is treated with:

• Surgery, if the cause may be a varicoele (widening of the veins within the scrotum) or a blockage within the vas deferens.
• Antibiotics to cure contaminations in the reproductive organs.
• Medications and counseling to medicate problems with erections or ejaculation.
• Hormone treatments if the problem is with hormone imbalance.

In women, sterility is treated with:

• Fertility drugs and hormones to help restoration of hormone levels and make the woman ovulate.
• Surgery to remove tissue which is blocking fertility  or to open blocked fallopian tubes

In vitro fertilization is a type of assisted reproductive technology which is used in infertility treatment. In IVF an egg is fertilized with sperm outside the body in a liquid medium in a lab. The zygote goes through embryo culture for a period of 2–6 days, and is then implanted to the woman's uterus, for a successful pregnancy.

In the United States, the average age of menarche is around 12.5 years. In post menarchal girls, in about 80% of the cycles ovulation does not actually take place in the first year, 50% in the third and 10% in the sixth year. Menopause occurs between ages 48 and 55. This is the end of the fertile phase in a woman's life. Age is the single most important factor which affects women’s fertility and chances of conceiving and having a child. With women, the most common reasons for infertility are endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), tubal blockage and advanced maternal age that affects egg quantity/quality. Infertility affects approximately 10% of American couples of childbearing age which is about 6.1 million. Obesity in reproductive health also leads to infertility and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Adolescence is a sensitive phase in human development. It represents transformation from childhood to physical and psychological maturity. The very best proportions of early childbearing measure is found in Sub Saharan region, where birth rates among adolescents reach over two hundred births per a thousand women age 15–19. Countries like Central African Republic, Niger, Chad, Angola and Mali prime the list of states with highest adolescent birth rate (above 178).

Maternal health includes health of women throughout childbirth, pregnancy and also the postnatal period. It encompasses the health care aspects of preconception, prenatal, postnatal care and family planning. The major reasons for maternal morbidity and mortality include hemorrhage, unsafe abortion & obstructed labor.UNICEF has supported the national Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to improve the quality and coverage of high impact maternal health services.

In general, Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The subject contains a few sub-disciplines counting common perspectives of pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, endocrinology, neonatal and adolescent medicine, oncology, neonatal and prenatal ethical considerations etc.  Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that includes the therapeutic care of new-born babies, who are sick or require special medical care as a result of prematurity, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, birth defects, and pulmonary hypoplasia or birth asphyxia.

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STDs are infections that are spread by sexual activity, vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. Symptoms of this disease include vaginal discharge, penile discharge, ulcers on or around the genitals, and pelvic pain. These are categorized into Bacterial STIs, Viral STIs and Parasitic STIs. Bacterial STIs comprises of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. Viral STIs consists HIV/AIDS, genital herpes and genital warts. Example of Parasitic STIs is Trichomoniasis. Safer sex practices decreases the risk. Comprehensive sex education during school is also useful.

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. It is a set of symptoms which is due to raised androgens (male hormones) in females. Unpredictable or no menstrual periods, substantial periods, overabundance body and facial hair, acne, pelvic pain, trouble getting pregnant, and patches of thick, darker, smooth skin are some of the signs and symptoms of PCOS.  It is due to both environmental and genetic factors. It is incurable. The regularity of periods, excess hair growth, and acne may be improved by birth control pills. Metformin and anti-androgens may also help. Efforts made to improve fertility consist of weight loss, clomiphene, or metformin.In vitro fertilization is also used. It is the most frequent occurring endocrine disorder among women between the ages of 18 and 44. About 2% to 20% of this age group is affected by this. It is considered one of the main causes of poor fertility.

Obstetrics is the medicinal forte that focuses on surgical and medical care before, during, and after pregnancy. It centers on maintaining and caring woman’s overall health during maternity. Gynecology is the division of medicine which is associated with women’s reproductive system (breasts, vagina, uterus, and ovaries) and their reproductive health. It focuses on care, diagnosis and treatment of women’s reproductive system. Authorities in obstetrics and gynecology practice in a hostile situation and face strain to enhance medicinal services quality. The Harvard Medical Practice Study found that 1.5% of hospitalized obstetrics patients encounter an adverse situation and that 38.3% of these results were identified with careless care.

Reproductive cancers are an uncontrolled development and growth of abnormal cells that arise from the reproductive organs. In America, at regular intervals a lady is discovered with gynecologic tumor. It is evaluated that there will be 91,730 new cases analyzed in the United States this year alone - tragically bringing about an anticipated 28,080 passings. Reproductive cancers are often treated with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or a combination of these used together.

Pregnancy, otherwise called gravidity or gestation, is the time amid which at least one posterity develops inside a woman. A numerous pregnancy includes in excess of one posterity, for example, with twins. Pregnancy can happen by Assisted Reproductive Technology or Sexual intercourse.This is a little more than nine lunar months, where every month is around 29½ days. Childbirth regularly occurs around 40 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP). An embryo is the developing posterity amid the initial two months following conception, after which, the term fetus is utilized until birth. Indications of early pregnancy may incorporate missed periods, delicate bosoms, vomiting, hunger, and successive urination. Pregnancy might be affirmed with a pregnancy test.

Amid pregnancy, drugs are frequently required to treat certain disarranges. Generally, when potential advantage exceeds known dangers, medications might be considered for treatment of disorders amid pregnancy. The most ordinarily utilized drugs incorporate antihistamines, antiemetic, analgesics, antimicrobials, hypnotics, diuretics, tranquilizers, etc. The development and improvement of the fetus might be influenced by drug treatment later in pregnancy. Cases of medications that may influence fetal improvement are Angiotensin, Antithyroid drugs, Benzodiazepine, β blocker, etc. However, no less than 33% of every single pregnant lady in the United Kingdom is recommended at least one course of medication treatment.

Obstetric anesthesia or obstetric anesthesiology, otherwise known as ob-gyn anesthesia or ob-gyn anesthesiology is a sub-specialty of anesthesiology that provides peripartum analgesia for labor and anesthesia for cesarean deliveries. Administration of anesthesia for obstetric and non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy has always been a challenge to the attending anesthesiologists. An obstetric anesthesiologist's practice may comprise to a great extent of overseeing pain amid vaginal deliveries and regulating anesthesia for cesarean areas; in any case, the scope is extending to include anesthesia for both maternal as well as fetal procedures. Obstetric anesthetists are broadly utilized in the midst of the work pain. Bupivacaine is the foremost usually utilized medicine that makes the more prominent tangible square.

Females have more vivacious cell and humoral safe reactions, they are more impervious to numerous contaminations, and they endure a higher rate of autoimmune diseases as compared to males. The variations in sex hormones are accompanied by the differences in immune responses between the sexes and the reproductive phases in women. However, the actions of sex hormones are extremely complex. The clearest impacts of sex hormones on the resistant reaction are the impacts of these hormones on the quantities of circulating immune cells. Sex hormones have been appeared to influence these cell numbers by influencing proliferation or apoptosis of the cells or by enrollment of new cells from the bone marrow. Distinctive reproductive procedures, including ovulation, menstruation cycle, are impacted by the immune system. A regenerative condition in which immunology assumes a correlated part is pregnancy.

Reproductive toxicology is a complex subject managing three segments - parent, placenta, and baby—and the constant changes that happen in each. Toxin exposure to a variety of naturally occurring or man-made chemicals can alter hormone levels, resulting in an alteration in reproductive potential and possible fertility. Reproductive Endocrinology is the complete study of female hormone system from adolescence through menopause with the functions of infertility, pituitary and ovaries. It enfolds zones for example, early embryonic development, gametogenesis, reproductive advancement, fertilization, pregnancy, endocrinology of reproduction, control of multiplication, reproductive immunology.