Feranmi and Deroju met at a renowned fertility clinic and while waiting for the general introductory address, they decided to trade stories. Feranmi, a petite thirty-five-year-old had been married for seven years and had concerns about conception. Bororo’s family and hers had remained supportive of both over the years and avoided pressurizing them about their situation. They had tried various herbs and plants touted as solutions to infertility, to no avail and had decided to visit the fertility clinic on the advice of a family friend. She could not comprehend the reason for infertility in as much as her menstrual flow was regular. Deroju on the other hand had conceived while dating her husband but as they were both still in school, they had agreed to terminate the pregnancy. Fast forward ten years down the line, they have not been able to have a child. She felt it was their punishment for the earlier abortion. Now she was suffering secondary infertility from blocked fallopian tubes. As Feranmi patted a depressed Deroju, the facilitator for the seminar started off the enlightenment lecture.

The substance of the address could be summarised as follows:

1. Approximately 33% of infertility cases are female-related, 20% male and the other 47% involving both partners and are unexplained.
2. Female infertility is usually attributable to either or a combination of two causes – Hormonal imbalances or irregularities/damage to the fallopian tubes or uterus. the Fallopian tubes/uterus.
3. Non-ovulation or anovulation may be caused by hormonal imbalance as a result of hypothyroidism, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), high-stress levels, body weight extremes such as being underweight or overweight, early menopause, cysts and tumours, steroids, POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency) and a host of others.
4. Irregularities or damage to the uterus may come in the form of uterine fibroids, Endometriosis, Damage to the tubes, blockage of the cervix, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and many more.
5. However, most of the above are treatable and early detection is advised.
6. Male infertility is usually a result of low sperm count, low sperm quality or erectile dysfunction.
7. It therefore follows that where both partners have any of the contributory factors, the likelihood of infertility is increased. Both partners should be screened for infertility and treated as appropriate.
8. Other factors involving the lifestyle of either or both partners could contribute to infertility e.g. smoking, alcohol, drugs, some types of medication, being overweight, etc.
9. It should be noted that sometimes secondary infertility kicks in after delivering a first child and this occurs for the same reasons as identified above.
10. While infertility can usually be traced to one or a combination of the above reasons, there are instances where infertility remains unexplained despite clinical testing.

Both Deroju and Feranmi heaved a sigh of relief as they experienced renewed hope for their situation. It will interest us to know that their stories had a happy conclusion; after treatment, they both had healthy babies.

Havilah wishes to encourage all sisters who are expectant of the fruit of the womb, to pursue relevant clinical tests early enough to ascertain their fertility status and commence prompt treatment where necessary.

One last word…we must not overlook the GOD factor in all of this because, it is he alone who gives the fruit of the womb.

Love

Havilah