Sexual and Reproductive Health (3cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- apply their knowledge of anatomy and physiology while promoting sexual and reproductive health
- analyse the significance of sexual and gender diversity in their work
- apply research data and recommendations when identifying factors affecting sexual and reproductive health when justifying methods for supporting them
- recognise the patient’s need for guidance for sexuality in connection to illnesses and crisis
- discuss sexuality related issues with patient and their significant others
- promote sexual guidance as part of nurse’s work
- describe the most common gynaecological illnesses and their related investigations, provided care and follow-up.
- describe and explain the normal course and monitoring of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum
- describe and justify the most common examinations and methods of nursing care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum
- describe the principles of maternal, new-born and family care after childbirth

Teaching methods

Self-paced online course. The course is completed entirely independently by the end of the course deadline. You will study the material in an online learning environment, which includes study materials and assignments/tests. No personal feedback will be provided on the assignments.

In the final exam, students must rely solely on their own knowledge, understanding, and skills. Therefore, the use of artificial intelligence is prohibited and will be considered academic misconduct.

Time and location

In the Canvas/Digicampus online learning environment during the duration of the course. See Timing.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Below is a list of general background material for those interested in the topics. Reviewing this material is not mandatory for completing the course, but it is recommended.

Sexuality:
Brusila, P., Kero, K. & Piha, J. 2020. Seksuaalilääketiede.(Sexual Medicine). Kustannus Oy Duodecim.
Kärnä, T. 2023a. Muunsukupuolisuus. (Non-binary). Lääkärikirja  Duodecim.
Kärnä, T. 2023b. Transsukupuolisuus. (Transgendered). Lääkärikirja Duodecim.
Mick JM. Sexuality assessment: 10 strategies for improvement. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2007 Oct;11(5):671-5
Santalahti, T. 2024a. Seksuaalisen suuntautumisen ja sukupuolen moninaisuus. (Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender). Lääkärikirja Duodecim.
Santalahti, T. 2024b. Sukupuoli-identiteetin ja seksuaalisen identiteetin muodostuminen. (Formation of Gender Identity and Sexual Identity). Lääkärikirja Duodecim.
Seksuaalisuus. (Sexuality). Terveyskylä, Naistalo.
Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos. 2023. Seksuaalisuus puheeksi. (Talking About Sexuality)
WHO. 2025. Sexual and reproductive health and rights
 
Sexual Health:
Brusila, P., Kero, K. & Piha, J. 2020. Seksuaalilääketiede. (Sexual Medicine). Kustannus Oy Duodecim.
Eturauhasen hyvänlaatuinen liikakasvu. (Urinary Symptoms, Men).Käypä hoito -suositus. Suomalaisen Lääkäriseuran Duodecimin ja Suomen Urologiyhdistyksen asettama työryhmä. Helsinki: Suomalainen Lääkäriseura Duodecim, 2020
Hiltunen-Back 2025. Sexually Transmitted Infections. EBM Guidelines. Available in Terveysportti
Raskauden ehkäisy. (Contraception). Käypä hoito -suositus. Suomalaisen Lääkäriseuran Duodecimin, Suomen Gynekologiyhdistyksen ja Suomen Yleislääketieteen Yhdistyksen asettama työryhmä. Helsinki: Suomalainen Lääkäriseura Duodecim, 2022
Raskaudenkeskeytys. (Abortion). Käypä hoito -suositus. Suomalaisen Lääkäriseuran Duodecimin ja Suomen Gynekologiyhdistyksen asettama työryhmä. Helsinki: Suomalainen Lääkäriseura Duodecim, 2024
Sosiaali- ja Terveysministeriö. 2025. Seksuaaliterveyden edistäminen. (Sexual Health Promotion)
Tartuntatautilaki. Communicable Diseases Act) 583/1986.
Terveydenhuoltolaki. (Health Care Act). 1326/2010.
Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos. 2023. Seksuaalisuus puheeksi.(Talking About Sexuality)
Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos 2024. Seksuaali- ja lisääntymisterveys. (Sexual and Reproductive Health)
Terveyskylä, Miestalo. (Man's House)
Tiitinen, A. 2023. Vaihdevuodet. (Menopause). Lääkärikirja Duodecim
WHO 2024. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRH).
 
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Puerperium:
Duodecim Terveysportti. Neuko-tietokanta. (NEUKO Database)
Finnish institute for health and welfare. 2024. Perinatal statistics - parturients, delivers, and newborns 2023. More than one-fifth of births result in caesarean section. Statistical report. 50/2024.
Suomen perinataali-mielenterveys ry. (Perinatal Mental Health)
Trombetta, T., Giordano, M., Santoniccolo, F., Vismara, L., Della Vedova, A. M., & Rollè, L. (2021). Pre-natal Attachment and Parent-To-Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 620942. 
Tapanainen, J. ym. (toim.) 2019. Naistentaudit ja synnytykset. (Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Oppiportti. 
Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos. Äitiysneuvola. (Maternity Clinic)

Alternative completion methods of implementation

According to the degree regulations (2024), Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when, and how the competence has been acquired. At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence. Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Important dates

The course workspace will remain open until the end of the course deadline (see Timing), and all assignments must be completed before the workspace closes.

Forms of internationality

The study unit is suitable for exchange students.

Student workload

Workload of the study is measured in a way that to acquire the goal competence of the study, one credit corresponds to an average of 26.7 hours of work done by the student. The actual time needed varies e.g. according to prior competence.

Content and scheduling

Before starting the course content, you may test your prior knowledge using the “Test Your Prior Knowledge” quiz. You will have access to background materials as well as practice tasks and quizzes, which are not graded. You may take notes in any format that suits your learning style.

The course consists of six modules:
Orientation Module: Contains all essential information for studying, which you can return to at any point during the course.
Sexuality Module: Explores the concept of sexuality and how to address it in conversation.
Sexual Health Module: Covers sexual health, gender-based differences in well-being and health, sexually transmitted infections, termination of pregnancy, and sexual violence.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Puerperium Module: Introduces the course of normal pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium, including monitoring and methods.
Final Exam: The exam includes 50 questions in various formats: true/false, multiple choice, multiple answers, matching pairs, and classification. The exam is graded on a scale from T1 to K5. A minimum of 50% correct answers is required to pass. The course assessment is based solely on the successfully completed final exam.
Course Completed Module: Allows you to provide feedback.

Further information

The course is Bachelor's degree program level. Master's students may also take the course or join to familiarize themselves with the content, but the course cannot be included in a Master's degree.

Laurea degree students and pathway students, and cross institutional students enroll in the course through Pakki. Enrollments are processed almost daily, allowing you to start the course flexibly when it suits you. You will receive a completion record for the course approximately two weeks after finishing. During holiday periods, enrollments and completion records are processed less frequently.

If the course is not completed by the end date of the implementation, the student can enroll in the next implementation. Incomplete assignments cannot be transferred to the next implementation; all tasks must be redone.

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available for example in Canvas.

For content-related inquiries, contact the responsible teacher. For other inquiries, email mooc@laurea.fi.

Evaluation scale

H-5