HEALTH TALK WITH BABARIMISA OLUWATOYIN: INFERTILITY (Part 1)
INFERTILITY (PART 1)
It is an incontrovertible fact that virtually everyone in our society wants to fulfill the dream of being able to procreate. It is therefore logical, that no one can fulfil the dream of multiplying and replenishing the earth without being fruitful. The inability to fulfill this dream could be one of the most daunting challenges that couples can face.
WHAT IS INFERTILITY
Infertility happens when a couple cannot conceive after having regular unprotected sex. It may be that one partner cannot contribute to conception, or that a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term.
It is often defined as not conceiving after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control.
Sub-fertility is just a delay in childbirth, even without medical treatment the couple will achieve pregnancy
More and more people have to fight infertility problems using natural and medical methods. About 20-25 percent of Nigerian couples that are officially married are childless. They cannot fulfill their family dreams while trying different fertility-boost methods. Still, these numbers could be higher.
• Medical institutions report their own statistics assuring that up to 45 percent of all female consultations at clinics are regarding infertility treatment.
• The problem has its causes. Nigeria has a large number of poor people.
• Poverty does not allow many couples to have children because modern medical technologies are too expensive for them.
• Reproductive medicine costs a lot of money across the globe.
• The issue has a huge negative impact on the social aspects of such couples’ lives.
• Couples that don’t have children suffer from excess social pressure. This is a big emotional stress and real psychological shock.
Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same. They include:
Age. Women's fertility gradually declines with age, especially in the mid-30s, and it drops rapidly after age 37. Infertility in older women is likely due to the lower number and quality of eggs, and can also be due to health problems that affect fertility. Men over age 40 may be less fertile than younger men.
Exercise issues. A lack of exercise contributes to obesity, which increases the risk of infertility. Less often, ovulation problems may be associated with frequent strenuous, intense exercise in women who are not overweight.
Tobacco use. Smoking tobacco or marijuana by either partner may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. Smoking also reduces the possible effectiveness of fertility treatment. Miscarriages are more frequent in women who smoke. Smoking can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and a low sperm count in men.
Alcohol use. For women, there's no safe level of alcohol use during conception or pregnancy. Alcohol use may contribute to infertility. For men, heavy alcohol use can decrease sperm count and motility.
Being underweight. Women at risk of fertility problems include those with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, and those who follow a very low-calorie or restrictive diet.
Being overweight. Among American women, an inactive lifestyle and being overweight may increase the risk of infertility. For men, sperm count also may be affected by being overweight.
Exercise issues. A lack of exercise contributes to obesity, which increases the risk of infertility. Less often, ovulation problems may be associated with frequent strenuous, intense exercise in women who are not overweight.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Chlamydia can damage the fallopian tubes in a woman and cause inflammation in a man's scrotum. Some other STIs may also cause infertility.
Exposure to some chemicals: Some pesticides, herbicides, metals, such as lead, and solvents have been linked to fertility problems in both men and women. A mouse study has suggested that ingredients in some household detergents may reduce fertility.
Mental stress: This may affect female ovulation and male sperm production and can lead to reduced sexual activity.
CAUSES OF INFERTILITY IN MEN
Low sperm count: The man ejaculates a low number of sperm. A sperm count of under 15 million is considered low. Around one third of couples have difficulty conceiving due to a low sperm count.
Low sperm mobility (motility): The sperm cannot "swim" as well as they should to reach the egg.
Abnormal sperm: The sperm may have an unusual shape, making it harder to move and fertilize an egg.
If the sperm do not have the right shape, or they cannot travel rapidly and accurately towards the egg, conception may be difficult.
Up to 2 percent of men are thought to have suboptimal sperm. This can result from:
A medical condition: This could be a testicular infection, cancer, or surgery.
Overheated testicles: Causes include an undescended testicle, a varicocele, or varicose vein in the scrotum, the use of saunas or hot tubs, wearing tight clothes, and working in hot environments.
Ejaculation disorders: If the ejaculatory ducts are blocked, semen may be ejaculated into the bladder
Hormonal imbalance: Hypogonadism, for example, can lead to a testerone deficiency.
Genetic factors: A man should have an X and Y chromosome. If he has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome, as in Klinefelter's syndrome, the testicles will develop abnormally and there will be low testosterone and a low sperm count or no sperm.
Mumps: If this occurs after puberty, inflammation of the testicles may affect sperm production.
Hypospadias: The urethral opening is under the penis, instead of its tip. This abnormality is usually surgically corrected in infancy.
Cystic fibrosis: This is a chronic disease that results in the creation of a sticky mucus. This mucus mainly affects the lungs, but males may also have a missing or obstructed vas deferens.
Radiation therapy: This can impair sperm production. The severity usually depends on how near to the testicles the radiation was aimed.
Some diseases: Conditions that are sometimes linked to lower fertility in males are anemia, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
Some medications increase the risk of fertility problems in men.
• Sulfasalazine: This anti-inflammatory drug can significantly lower a man's sperm count. It is often prescribed for Crohn’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Sperm count often returns to normal after stopping the medication.
• Anabolic steroids: Popular with bodybuilders and athletes, long-term use can seriously reduce sperm count and mobility.
• Chemotherapy: Some types may significantly reduce sperm count.
• Illegal drugs: Consumption of marijuana and cocaine can lower the sperm count.
CAUSES OF INFERTILITY IN WOMEN
Ovulation disorders, which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which you have too much prolactin also may interfere with ovulation. Either hyperthyroidism hypothyroidism can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility.
Uterine or cervical abnormalities, including abnormalities with the cervix, polyps in the uterus or the shape of the uterus. Non-cancerous (benign) tumors in the uterine wall (uterine fibroids) may cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or stopping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Fallopian tube damage or blockage, which can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis or adhesions.
Endometriosis, which occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus, may affect the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.
Pelvic adhesions, bands of scar tissue that bind organs that can form after pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis or abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause), when the ovaries stop working and menstruation ends before age 40. Although the cause is often unknown, certain factors are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, certain genetic conditions and radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
Cancer and its treatment. Certain cancers — particularly reproductive cancers — often impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect fertility.
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| Babarimisa Oluwatoyin writes fromLagos, Nigeria |
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