Having children or making babies has always been the work of a man and a woman, but when infertility occurs, it appears women are mostly stigmatised by society.
Madam Henrietta has been married for barely a year and is yet to conceive. Three months after her marriage, she began to witness weight gain, she felt uncomfortable in her system including feeling nauseous and fatigue.
Unfortunately for her, the changes in her behaviour and weight was not visible by herself only but inlaws as well. At the time, she felt she was pregnant, but a test showed otherwise. Few months after her marriage, society began to question her, “When are you going to make babies, Why haven’t you tried to make babies, what are you waiting for?” Meanwhile, she makes it known that her husband has been freed from all the questions and pressure from society.
Another mother with name withheld who had a child four years after her marriage recounted how she was pressurized by society while she waited for her first pregnancy after marriage.
Madam Eunice, who had her first child two years after marriage also shared his experience while hoping to conceive.
She mentioned the stigmatising comments from society she had to deal with until she conceived a year after marriage.
At a Health Media Training by Merck Foundation in partnership with the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo Addo and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Experts observed that in Africa, women are mostly stigmatised in cases of infertility.
Dr. Edem Hiadzi, an Obstetrician Gynecologist and Fertility Specialist who is also the Founder and CEO of Lister Hospital and Fertility Centre, Ghana tells that research into fertility issues indicate that infertility does not just affect women only, explaining that about half of the causes of infertility are due to, or include male factors.
He noted that Infertility is one of the commonest conditions affecting the reproductive age group between 20 and 45 years.
The Obstetrician Gynecologist also noticed that in Africa, some traditional, cultural and religious practices, combined with a low resource environment are linked with higher levels of preventable causes of infertility in women.
According to Dr Edem Hiadzi, poor nutrition, untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unsafe abortions, consequence of infections caused by the practice of female genital mutilation, exposure to smoking, leaded petrol and other environmental pollutants were the major causes of infertility.
He observed that in sub-Saharan Africa, Infection was the cause of infertility in up to 85% of women seeking infertility care, compared to 33% worldwide, stressing that untreated infections can lead to infertility.
Dr. Edem Hiadzi, said an accepted fact is that ‘men are core to reproduction’, but a neglected fact is that ‘men can be core to infertility problem’.
He also observed that most often, it is women who appear as if they want to get pregnant, adding that even if the man and the woman have to see a doctor for proper medical checks, the men mostly do not want to go.
Meanwhile, he stressed that infertility affects Men and Women equally, adding that sperm production or the delivery system can be affected.
He therefore urged men to support their wives to seek medical attention when dealing with infertility, adding that fertility is a shared responsibility.
Dr. Edem Hiadzi, again encouraged couples who have tried for over a year to conceive to have regular checkups and seek proper advice from experts.
“Both Men and Women should practice “Safe Sex” and avoid risky behaviour that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as Chlamydia. STDs can cause serious complications including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), blockage of Fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy and prostatitis, which can subsequently cause infertility,” he advised.
Dr. Edem Hiadzi stressed that,”Men should support their wives when they are not getting pregnant because they may be the cause of infertility,”.
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For his part, Dr. Frank Ewusie Brown, a Consultant Specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the Presby Hospital, Donkorkrom and Merck Foundation Alumni, Ghana observed that women are stigmatised because of poor knowledge of fertility and infertility issues as well as Financial Problems.
Giving statistics on the percentage of causes of infertility, he mentioned that male factors contributed to 30% of the causes, female factors contributed 30% of the causes, adding that from both sides, there were 30% of Causes while unexplained infertility causes formed 10%.
Dr. Frank Ewusie Brown schooled that the male factors of infertility included the absence of sperm production (Azoospermia), sperm produced but of poor quality.
For the female factors, he mentioned the absence or ovulation Disorder, blockage of tubes, when the uterus is not favorable for implantation, Fibroids amongst others.
He admitted that there could also be problems on both sides.
Meanwhile Dr. Frank Ewusie Brown educated couples on how to fight against the stigma of women, recommending education at all Levels, training for adults and young people.
He also recommended the integration of women and girls, saying that the media had a major role to play.
He also called for the involvement of civil society and the determining role of Public Authorities.
Meanwhile Dr. Frank Ewusie Brown also advised the public against stigmatisation of women when infertility occurs, calling on men to support their wives while trying to conceive.
#IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN TO HAVE A CHILD
#MEN ARE MORE THAN FATHERS. WOMEN ARE MORE THAN MOTHERS.
#MenToo #NoToInfertilityStigma #Merck Foundation #More Than a Mother
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori.
