2. Reproductive Health Issues
 It refers to the diseases, disorders and
conditions affecting the function of male
and female reproductive systems.
 It includes birth defects, developmental
disorders, teenage pregnancy and
abortion.
 This is also concerned with environmental
pollutants that can cause infertility to both
men and women.

3. Prepared by: Alex D.C. Papa Jr.

4. Environmental Pollutants
Lead (Pb)
• Main component in paints, gasoline and
cosmetic products. It can also be present in
contaminated food and water.
• It is also present in spermicides.
• Spermicides are contraceptive substances that
destroys sperm.

5. Lead-containing Products

6. Effects of Lead
 Decreased sperm count and increased
sperm abnormalities.(Alexander et al.
1996; Gennart et al. 1992; Lerda 1992;
and Lin et al.).
 Effects may begin at 40 (lethal dose).
 Long-term lead exposure also may
diminish sperm concentrations, total sperm
counts, and total sperm motility (Alexander
et al. 1996 as cited in ATSDR 2000).

7.  Study shows that increasing dosage or
exposure to lead may cause placenta
disintegration which can treat life in the
womb.
 It can also cause adverse effects to fetus
development that often results to birth
defects and abnormalities.

9. Mercury
Mercury can affect fertility is well known
since mercury has been commonly used
as a spermicide in birth control products.
 Present in batteries, electronic appliances.
And fluorescent lamps.

10. Mercury-containing Products

11. Effects of mercury
 Positive association was found between
elevated mercury levels and incidence of
malformations and aborted
pregnancies..
Mercury exposure have been implicated in
birth defects, autism, attention deficit
disorders, impotency, and significant
reduction in sperm motility and sperm
count leading to infertility.

12. Sperm Motility
Sperm motility describes the ability of
sperm to move properly through the
female reproductive tract (internal
fertilization) or through water (external
fertilization) to reach the egg.

14. Semen Analysis
 A semen analysis (plural: semen
analyses) evaluates certain characteristics
of a male's semen and the sperm
contained therein.
 It is done to help evaluate male fertility,
whether for those seeking pregnancy.

16. Abortion

17. History of Abortion
 Since the start of civilization, abortion was
widely practiced by primitive man.
 They used herbs to perform abortion.
Some resort to abortion as last choice to
save mother’s life.
 Because of booming population, abortion
is sometimes driven by social pressures.

18. Abortion: A Closer Look
 Spontaneous abortion, also known as
miscarriage, is the unintentional expulsion
of an embryo or fetus.

20. References:
 Harlap and Davies, "Late Sequelae of Induced Abortion:
Complications and Outcome of Pregnancy and Labor",
American Journal of Epidemiology (1975), vol.102,no.3.
 Heath,"Psychiatry and Abortion",Canadian Psychiatric
Association Journal (1971), vol.16, pp55-63)
 Hilgers, "The Medical Hazards of Legally Induced
Abortion," in Hilgers and Horan, eds., Abortion and Social
Justice(New York: Sheed and Ward, 1972).
 Hogue,"Impact of Abortion on Subsequent Fecundity",
Clinics in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (March 1986),
vol.13,no.1.

21. Thank you for listening!