Expert tasks Nigerians on preserving fertility

A fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi has advised Nigerians to make more efforts in preserving their abilities to produce children. He gave the advice yesterday in Abuja during a forum organized by Fertility Support Group Africa on Facebook in collaboration with Nordica Fertility Centre. Dr Ajayi who is also the managing director, Nordica Fertility Centre, […]

A fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi has advised Nigerians to make more efforts in preserving their abilities to produce children.

He gave the advice yesterday in Abuja during a forum organized by Fertility Support Group Africa on Facebook in collaboration with Nordica Fertility Centre.

Dr Ajayi who is also the managing director, Nordica Fertility Centre, said doing so would go a long way in reducing the number of people suffering from infertility in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines infertility as the inability of a couple to achieve conception within one year. Infertility is age related and increases with age.

He said Sexually Transmitted Infections still remain  a  major cause of infertility saying that protecting  oneself, and sticking to one partner helps.

The fertility expert said poor lifestyle choices  was also a major cause of infertility. He said it was important to reduce intake of caffeine, and smoking and alcohol especially when one wants to conceive.

He said: “It is important to have a healthy Body Mass index (BMI), avoid sauna bath, junk foods, steroids  and substance abuse. Men should also be mindful of  the  underwear they wear, and avoid using drugs for body enhancement. Men experiencing infertility should also limit their cycling.”

The expert said some vocations also predispose people to infertility such as working in the paint industry and fuel stations.

“A study done in France revealed that the volatile organic compounds emitted in fuel stations affects fertility,” he added.

While advising the public to be  mindful of where they access fertility treatment. He said Nigerians needed to be more active and involved in the services they get from health care providers.

The fertility expert decried the poor knowledge about fertility amongst the populace. He  said government  could assist by educating children in primary and secondary schools on how to preserve their fertility.