A session on Reproductive and sexual health awareness for Adolescents was conducted for students of Classes VIII, IX, and X. Dr. Nayanika Gaur, a distinguished alumnus of the school with MBBS and MS degrees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, led the session. As an Infertility Specialist, she currently manages her own clinic, Kirti IVF. The interactive session provided valuable insights into adolescent health and well-being.
Dr. Nayanika commenced by defining "Reproductive Health," emphasizing the WHO definition that describes it as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters related to the reproductive system. She highlighted the importance of understanding what is normal and not normal in reproductive and sexual health.
A key point of the session was the distinction between sex and sexuality. Dr Nayanika emphasized that emotional stability is the cornerstone of healthy sexuality. She provided valuable insights on adolescence, which spans from 9 years of age to 24 sometimes, with teenagers being only a part of this group.
Addressing common concerns related to menstruation, Dr Nayanika answered questions such as whether menstruation is normal or if it causes weakness. She creatively used the popular animated character Anna from the movie Frozen to explain the stages of worry during menstruation, making the discussion relatable and engaging for the audience.
She also provided insights into different menstrual hygiene products, with a focus on the sanitary pad, and briefly explained the roles of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Furthermore, she discussed contraception and condom usage, stressing the importance of saying "No" at a young age and how abstinence is a safe choice to prevent AIDS/HIV.
Dr. Nayanika highlighted the importance of cervical cancer awareness and the availability of vaccines to prevent it. She concluded the session by answering questions from the audience and encouraging self-respect and body positivity, quoting Marilyn Monroe:
TO ALL THE GIRLS THAT THINK YOU’RE FAT
BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT A SIZE ZERO
YOU’RE THE BEAUTIFUL ONE
ITS SOCIETY WHO’S UGLY.
The session was highly informative and successfully fostered awareness and understanding among the students, empowering them with essential knowledge about reproductive and sexual health.
