Reproductive health
When men’s bodies don’t work, the impact on their physical and mental health is widely recognised. The effect of erectile dysfunction, for example, is well recognised. There is even research into whether men are satisfied with treatment of it. In fact, five times as much research is conducted into erectile dysfunction than premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder, despite the latter affecting five times as many women.
Looking deeper into the issue of reproductive health, a trial into the male contraceptive pill was halted because men were experiencing a few of the complications that many women put up with daily. Research is even conducted into men’s satisfaction with their sex lives when they have a partner with endometriosis – an excruciatingly painful condition which many women are left battling alone each month because it receives little funding.
Recognising breastfeeding as a bodily function rather than a lifestyle choice, and investing in the scientific field of human milk would benefit everyone, not just those who are able to breastfeed. We would have better answers for those who cannot breastfeed, and for those who are struggling to produce sufficient milk.
We don’t ask what the health benefits are to our bodies working as they should in other ways. We just accept people want their bodies to work. Yet the debate over whether investing in breastfeeding is worth it or not, based on whatever the latest confusing write up of a research study shows, is battled frequently in the press.
Recognising breastfeeding as a bodily function rather than a lifestyle choice, and investing in the scientific field of human milk would benefit everyone, not just those who are able to breastfeed. We would have better answers for those who cannot breastfeed, and for those who are struggling to produce sufficient milk. We would have greater investment in donor human milk facilities so that more sick and premature babies could have the option. Rather than some women being forced to choose between breastfeeding or medication (despite evidence showing that the majority of medications are safe), we would have a clear evidence bank that medical professionals could refer to. Those breastfeeding would be part of a system that protected their decision rather than simply promoting it with support.
Women’s bodies matter too. And that is the real reason why investing in breastfeeding matters.
Amy Brown, Professor of Child Public Health, Swansea University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
