Experts Decry Prevalence Of Infertility In Nigeria

Gynaecologists and other medical experts have decried the prevalence of infertility in the country, just as they revealed the reason behind the increasing number of Nigerians experiencing infertility.

The experts who spoke at the 2024 Fertility Conference, held in Lagos with the theme, “Infertility – Need for Knowledge and Early Intervention,” was organised by the Parah Family Foundation (PFF).

The lead speaker, Prof. Preye Fiebai, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Port Harcourt, highlighted ignorance and lack of awareness as major factors contributing to the rise in infertility cases.

He noted that many Nigerian men were unaware that the ability to ejaculate did not equate to being fertile.

According to Fiebai, research indicates that 20-45 per cent of women in Nigeria are infertile. But, often, the cause of infertility in marriages is not the women, adding that, ‘’ The research breakdown shows that 40 per cent of infertility cases are due to male factors, 40 per cent to female factors, 15 per cent to combined male and female factors, and 5 per cent are unexplained.’’

Fiebai listed causes of infertility in men, including erectile dysfunction, impotence, decreased libido, psychogenic issues, endocrinopathies, age, and overweight, among others. For women, he pointed to cervical factors, uterine factors, diseases of the fallopian tubes, and problems with ovulation.

In his address, a professor of surgery at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Kehinde Habeeb Tijani, added that factors such as age, weight, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation and constant exposure of the testicles to high temperatures as contributors to infertility.

The managing director of Lifeline Fertility Clinic, Rev. Tony Akinyemi, concurred with the other speakers and offered various remedies to overcome infertility and also advised women over the age of 54 to avoid aspiring for pregnancy due to the associated risks.

In her welcome address, conference convener Princess Dayo Odukoya described the infertility rates and causes as “alarming”, emphasising the need for ongoing awareness to encourage couples experiencing infertility to seek solutions early in their marriages rather than delaying.

“The foundation’s primary objective is to share vital information, enlighten and provide the relevant support system for families undergoing fertility challenges to eradicate ignorance, the misguided myths and social stigma associated with delayed fertility in our society,’’ she said.