At the 2024 Fertility Conference held in Lagos on Saturday, gynecologists and other medical experts shed light on the increasing infertility rates among Nigerians. Organized by the Parah Family Foundation (PFF), the annual event themed “Infertility – Need for Knowledge and Early Intervention” aimed to address the growing concern and provide insights into potential solutions.
The lead speaker, Prof. Preye Fiebai, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of Port Harcourt, emphasized that ignorance and lack of awareness are major contributors to the rise in infertility cases. He noted a common misconception among Nigerian men that the ability to ejaculate equates to fertility.
Prof. Fiebai highlighted that research indicates 20-45% of women in Nigeria are infertile, but often the cause of infertility in marriages is not the women. He provided a breakdown showing that 40% of infertility cases are due to male factors, 40% to female factors, 15% to combined male and female factors, and 5% remain unexplained. Male infertility causes include erectile dysfunction, impotence, decreased libido, psychogenic issues, endocrinopathies, age, and overweight. For women, causes include cervical factors, uterine factors, fallopian tube diseases, and ovulation problems.
Prof. Kehinde Habeeb Tijani, a Professor of Surgery from the University of Lagos, added that age, weight, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation, and high temperatures affecting the testicles also contribute to infertility.
Dr. Kemi Ailoje, MD of Lifeline Fertility Clinic, and Rev. Tony Akinyemi supported the views of the other speakers and offered remedies to overcome infertility. They also advised women over the age of 54 to avoid aspiring for pregnancy due to associated risks.
In her welcome address, conference convener Princess Dayo Odukoya described the infertility rates and causes as “alarming.” She emphasized the importance of 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 in order to eradicate ignorance, the misguided myths and social stigma associated with delayed fertility in our society,” Odukoya stated. “The choice of the theme for this year’s conference, ‘Infertility – Need for Knowledge and Early Intervention,’ is to further reiterate the importance of continued awareness and knowledge about the challenges of infertility, and more importantly, action to be taken as early as possible.”
She also highlighted the importance of a support system for those on the journey to parenthood, stressing that the Parah Family Foundation aims to provide such support.
At the conclusion of the conference, the PFF offered two free IVF treatments and one free fertility investigation to three participating couples, underlining their commitment to supporting families facing fertility challenges.