Fertility
Conclusion
The social meanings of reproduction phenomena are constructed differently depending on the given sociopolitical context. Local and global political tendencies as well as different social hierarchies have an impact on the reproductive health of populations and individuals (Inhorn and Whittle 2001). Gender, race, and nation mediate individuals' power, personal agency, and choices relating to their reproductive health (Krieger et al. 1993). Genetic endowment and the physical and social environments (for example, environmental pollutants and occupational exposures) also affect the reproductive health of both women and men. There are various medical procedures that may increase a person's fertility and enable the birth of a wanted child. But emotionally and economically the best solution for infertility is the prevention of infertility at different levels of everyday life.
See also: ABORTION; ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES; BIRTH CONTROL: CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS; BIRTH CONTROL: SOCIOCULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS; CHILDLESSNESS; FAMILY PLANNING; FATHERHOOD; INDUSTRIALIZATION; MENARCHE; MENOPAUSE; MOTHERHOOD; PREGNANCY AND BIRTH; SEXUALITY IN ADULTHOOD; SURROGACY
Bibliography
Baetens, P., and Brewaeys, A. (2001). "Lesbian Couples Requesting Donor Insemination: An Update of the Knowledge with Regard to Lesbian Mother Families." Human Reproduction Update 7:512–519.
Baranski, B. (1993). "Effects of the Workplace on Fertility and Related Reproductive Outcomes." Environmental Health Perspectives 101:81–90.
Birke, L.; Himmelweit, S.; and Vines, G. (1990). Tomorrow's Child: Reproductive Technologies in the 90s. London: Virago Press.
Feichtinger, W. (1991). "Environmental Factors and Fertility." Human Reproduction 6:1170–1175.
Fidler, A. T., and Bernstein, J. (1999). "Infertility: From a Personal to a Public Health Problem." Public Health Reports 114:495–511.
Davey Smith, G.; Chasturvedi, N.; Harding, S.; Nazroo, J.; and Williams, R. (2000). "Ethnic Inequalities in Health: A Review of UK Epidemiological Evidence." Critical Public Health 10:375–408.
Day Baird, D., and Strassmann, B. I. (2000). "Women's Fecundability and Factors Affecting It." In Women and Health, ed. M. B. Goldman and M. C. Hatch. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Goldman, M. B.; Missmer, S. A.; and Barbieri, R. L. (2000). "Infertility." In Women and Health, ed. M. B. Goldman and M. C. Hatch. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Grainger, D. A., and Tjaden, B. L. (2000). "Assisted Reproductive Technologies." In Women and Health, ed. M. B. Goldman and M. C. Hatch. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Inhorn, M. C., and Whittle, K. L. (2001). "Feminism Meets the 'New' Epidemiologies: Toward an Appraisal of Antifeminist Biases in Epidemiological Research on Women's Health." Social Science and Medicine 53: 553–567
Krieger, N.; Rowley, D. L.; Herman, A. A.; Avery, B.; Phillips, M. T. (1993). "Racism, Sexism, and Social Class: Implications for Studies of Health, Disease, and Well-Being." American Journal of Preventive Medicine 9:82–122.
Lass, A.; Akagbosu, F.; and Brinsden, P. (2001). "Sperm Banking and Assisted Reproduction Treatment for Couples following Cancer Treatment of the Male Partner." Human Reproduction Update 7:370–377.
Nygren, K.G.; Andersen, A. N.; and the European IVF-monitoring Programme (EIM). (2001). "Assisted Reproductive Technology in Europe, 1998. Results Generated from European Registers by ESHRE. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology." Human Reproduction 16:2459–2471.
Office of Technology Assessment. (1988). Infertility: Medical and Social choices. OTA-BA-358. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. (1993). Proceed with Care: Final report of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies, Vol. 2. Ottawa, Canada: Minister of Government Services.
Pollard, I. (1994) A Guide to Reproduction: Social Issues and Human Concerns. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Sauer, M. V.; Paulson, R. J.; and Lobo, R. A. (1993). "Pregnancy after Age 50: Application of Oocyte Donation to Women after Natural Menopause." Lancet 341: 321–323.
Scritchfield, S. A. (1989). "The Social Construction of Infertility: From Private Matter to Social Concern." In Images and Issues: Typifying Contemporary Social Problems, ed. J. Best. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.
Spira, A. (1986). "Epidemiology of Human Reproduction." Human Reproduction 1:111–115.
Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology—United States, 1996 and 1998. (1999). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 51:97–101.
MAILI MALIN
Additional topics
Marriage and Family EncyclopediaPregnancy & ParenthoodFertility - Conception, Reproductive System, Infertility, Medical Procedures To Increase Fertility, Conclusion