Building Families-Implementing Balanced Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Joint IFFS and ISA Scientific Statement.

Abstract

One of the main initiatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) is the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). Sexuality, infertility, and contraception are three interconnected pillars of SRH, each essential for achieving global equity in family planning and family building. This scientific Statement, jointly developed by the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) and the International Society of Andrology (ISA), advocates for inclusive, evidence-based care for all individuals and couples, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status. The Statement underscores the need to enhance practitioner and policymaker education to support access to infertility evaluations and treatments for both men and women and to promote the availability of comprehensive contraceptive services for all in need. The Statement addresses three core domains: sexuality, infertility, and contraception. It emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach to SRH, highlighting the complex interplay between sexual function and fertility. Infertility is a multifactorial condition requiring early, holistic, and multidisciplinary management, including integrated male and female evaluations, medically assisted reproduction, and fertility preservation strategies. Contraception is explored through the lens of global unmet needs, expanding options for male contraceptives, and the importance of socio-culturally sensitive education and counseling. The joint efforts of the IFFS and ISA call for couple-centered SRH, acknowledging the sociocultural and policy challenges that affect access to care in a region-specific manner. This Statement aims to serve as a clinical and advocacy guide for practitioners and stakeholders, reinforcing that reproductive autonomy and access to care are vital components and duties for policymakers when developing public health strategies.