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Writes Munyaradzi Doma
When infertility is mentioned in any context, the first thing that usually comes to mind is that the woman is at fault. And in some cases and sadly so, it is the women too who are quick to point fingers at their peers.
While society is quick to point to women as being infertile, facts have now proven that men too can be infertile. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines infertility as a “disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.”
Dr Mugove Madziyire, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, speaking during a recent online Merck Foundation Health Media Training in partnership with the First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe National Editors Forum, stressed that “infertility affects men and women equally.”
He revealed while the accepted fact is that men are core to reproduction, the neglected fact is that men can be core to the infertility problem.
“Men should be well informed about infertility and that it does not just affect women. About half of the causes of infertility are due to, or include male factors. Infertility is one of the most common conditions affecting the reproductive age group between 20 and 45 years.
“Both men and women should practice “safe sex” and avoid risky behaviour that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as Chlamydia,” he revealed.
Dr. Madziyire further added that men are encouraged to go for fertility testing with their wives.
He said in some cases, there are situations whereby for men, sperm production or the delivery system is affected, and reasons could be anatomical (physical defects), acquired, congenital, blockage, or physiological which includes failed function, and hormones.
Dr Madziyire also said there are some environmental influences which include excessive temperatures, radiation, drugs, alcohol, use of drugs, industrial toxins, and other factors including diet and being overweight which may contribute to a man being infertile.
He emphasized that there are other things that men could do so as to avoid the risk of infertility such as, “limiting alcohol intake, avoiding drugs, and stopping smoking.
“Avoid high temperatures as this can affect production and motility. Although this effect is temporary, avoid riding motorbikes, hot tubs, and steam baths. Instead, use showers and wear loose pants. Exercise regularly, and avoid exposure to industrial and environmental toxins such as paints and pesticides which may damage and affect sperm production.
“Obesity is directly related to testosterone levels, which is a key hormone responsible for sperm production. Eating a balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients to optimize sperm function and minimize the effects of factors which may otherwise damage the sperm,” he added.
In an interview with this reporter, one woman who identified herself as Mbuya Ali said women are mostly to blame for issues of infertility.
“Usually women are the ones who have problems of infertility, it’s always the women. Even when we were growing up, this is what we grew up knowing that women are always at fault. I would challenge that fact that it is an equal responsibility,” she said.
In a separate interview, Francis Rusere said that the subject of infertility had to be openly discussed as statistics had shown that men too can be infertile.
Rusere said society was to blame as it had created a situation whereby women are always blamed for the infertility problem.
“Our culture is also to blame as black people because we have this belief that infertility is the woman’s fault, but this has now changed as it has been seen that men too can be infertile. Things have now changed because in some cases where couples have problems conceiving, some women end up being impregnated outside wedlock, but because of pride and also culture, as I mentioned earlier, a man will always believe that the child or children are his.
“That’s why we have issues whereby years later, it is then discovered that the children were not sired by the expected man. Also when it is suggested that both husband and wife should be tested for fertility, most men shy away because of various reasons. This is mostly to do with men having poor health-seeking behaviour, but such attitudes should change,” said Rusere.
Similar sentiments were also echoed by Kennedy Katonha who said in most cases of infertility, blame is given to the woman, yet it could be vice versa.
Katonha said in some cases, the woman is quickly divorced without any tests to determine who is infertile in the marriage.
“Such should change because there is one case that comes to mind whereby a man divorced his wife saying she could not bear him any children after years of marriage. But when the woman was divorced, she remarried and had a child, whilst the man who had also remarried, did not have any success in his new marriage.
“Another thing that also needs to be looked at is that of untreated sexually transmitted illnesses which may leave one’s organs damaged thereby affecting fertility,” said Katonha.
Just like the good book in Hosea 4 verse 6 says, “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” society needs to be informed, that men too can be infertile.
With enough knowledge, men can be informed on some of the best health practices so that they can reduce the risks of infertility.