Sexual and reproductive health are separate concepts. They are often viewed together because they are closely linked.
Sexual and reproductive health
According to the WHO, sexual and reproductive health is “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality and the reproductive system and to its functions and processes.”
Good sexual and reproductive health relies primarily on access to reliable information and the possibility to make decisions freely. Bodily autonomy (the power to make choices about one’s own body) is a key part of a person’s rights related to sexual and reproductive health. For example, a person can freely decide whether and with whom to engage in sexual relations, and whether and when to have children.
Reproductive rights
To protect your reproductive and sexual health and any decisions made in this area, reproductive rights include access to information about reproductive and sexual health and access to sexual and reproductive health care as provided by law.
Sexual and reproductive health care
Sexual and reproductive health care services include:
- prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the reproductive system, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS
- consultations about family planning methods
- care during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-natal period
- medical abortion
- prevention and treatment of infertility
In Estonia, the governance of sexual and reproductive health is determined by several key pieces of legislation. These include the Termination of Pregnancy and Sterilisation Act, the Artificial Insemination and Embryo Protection Act, the Health Services Organisation Act and the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act.
Read more about reproductive rights in this Guide.