Osaigbovo Iguobaro
Young Nigerian men are presenting sexual and reproductive health challenges to Gynaecological Clinics and Urologists to ascertain their ‘fertility status and avert marital problems with their spouses in future.
A Chief Consultant Urologist at the Federal Medical Centre, FCT in Abuja, Dr Isiaka Lawal shared insight on the growing trends while speaking on NTA Good morning Nigerians breakfast show, last Friday September 19.
But, he admitted that despite the growing awareness around misconceptions around male infertility, sadly, most Nigerian men keep their fertility problems as secret from their spouses and present them to medical evaluation late at Gynaecological Clinics and hospitals in Nigeria.
Dr Lawal said, “I am seeing younger men coming for fertility evaluation. In actual fact, younger men are coming with fertility problems. We are beginning to see young men indicating interest to check for their fertility ahead of their marriages.
“Knowing your fertility status is important. It’s easy to check. Check for the semen parameter. Everything revolves around it.
“The causes are many. Men between 20’s and 30’s are involved. That is when you get to know that there is a problem. Some of them come either through fertility doctor or Gynaecology Clinics”.
Why?
In this part of the world, the health-seeking behaviour of women is more than men”, according to him, “some of these men have low sperm count, we call it oligozoospermia.
Oligozoospermia: low sperm count refer to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common finding in male infertility, while some others have
Azoospermia.
Azoospermia, he said is a medical condition characterized by the absence of sperm in a man’s ejaculate, leading to male infertility.
It can result from either a blockage in the reproductive tract (obstructive azoospermia) or issues with the production of sperm in the testicles or hormonal signals.
The Chief Consultant lamented that some men present themselves for medical evaluation in hospital after they have taken alternative routes in search of solutions.
He also said, “in some cases, the problem had affected the testicles, we caused by trauma, and infections. Some of these infections were either not properly treated or ignored before they are presented”.
He further revealed that there is a particular infection that effects silava gland in the human gut. During sexual intercourse, it can go into the bloodstream and cause damage on the testicles that house the production of sperm.
*Misconceptions about infertility in men
“I grew up having that notion that once a couple have that notion that once a couple has a problem, it’s the wife that is responsible for the medical condition.
“But, that notion changed when I became a medical doctor. As a Urologist, I have come to realize that men and women contribute 40 percent each to infertility, while both couples contribute 15 percent to infertility.
“Yet, most men do not show up for fertility evaluation with their spouses whenever there is a problem, because they believe that infertility can only come from women, which is not true”, Dr Isiaka said.
*What is the possibility that (low or high) frequency in sexual activities could lead to infertility later in life?
“You can be very sexually active, yet, you are infertile. Being fertile and being sexually active are two different sexual functions. Some people believe that when they are sexually active, you are capable of impregnating a woman. But that is not correct.
“The semen and the hormone may be okay physiologically, the man be very okay, but looking at the testicular function, which contributes to ejaculation, things are not working well. Take for instance, the seminal ventricles, prostrate and other vital organs are very important. The semen may be producing, but may be not fertilize eggs in the ovaries of a woman.
There are some factors that may be responsible, including blockade or obstruction”, according to the Chief Consultant Urologist.
The medical expert further advised Nigerians against unhealthy lifestyle that could have a negative effect their health in future, noting that awareness creation has helped a great deal in dealing with infertility.
