HEALTH: INFERTILITY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
COLUMN: In A Moment Like This
FEATURE: Dressing: A Reflection Of Our Personality

 

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HEALTH
Dr Ugboaja Joseph, moderated
By Dr TOG Chukwuanukwu

INFERTILITY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Infertility carries a lot of psycho social stress for the society. Therefore, it is important to understand the issues relating to it and also dispel false perceptions fueling the psychological stress attendant to infertility. It is expected that after going through this article, the reader will understand what brings about infertility, the treatments available and the common misconceptions pertaining to infertility.

To understand the discussion on infertility, it will be necessary to know how pregnancy comes about. Pregnancy is the result of a complex chain of events. In order for a woman to get pregnant, 4 basic things must happen:
1. The woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
2. The egg must go through an open fallopian tube towards the uterus (womb).
3. The man must produce and deposit good quality sperm to fertilize the egg along the fallopian tube.
4. Finally, the fertilized egg must be able to attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation). Infertility can result from problems that interfere with any of these steps.

What then, is infertility?
Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. During this period she must have adequate sexual exposure with the husband. A situation where a woman and her husband lives far apart and only meets occasionally cannot be termed infertility until proven. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeated miscarriages are said to be sub fertile.
Is infertility a common problem?
Infertility is a very common problem in our environment. Many women, who seek consultations with a gynaecologist, do so, on account of infertility. A major issue with infertility is the psycho-social problems associated with it, usually directed at the woman. The woman is often accused of all sorts of things and subjected to all manner of indignation at the hands of her husband and in-laws.
But is infertility just a woman's problem?
No, infertility is not always a woman's problem. In only about one-third of cases is infertility due to the woman (female factors). In another one third of cases, infertility is due to the man (male factors). The remaining cases are caused by a mixture of male and female factors or by unknown factors. Therefore, it is very unfair to maltreat a woman because of infertility because the problem may be from the husband.

Then what causes infertility in men?
Infertility in men is most often caused by:
Problems with making sperm -- producing too few sperm or none at all and problems with the sperm's ability to reach the egg and fertilize it -- abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly or obstructions along its path from the testes.
Sometimes a man is born with the problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness/infections or injury.
What increases a man's risk of infertility?
The number and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that may reduce sperm number and/or quality include:
alcohol
drugs
environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
smoking cigarettes
health problems
Medicines
radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer
age
What causes infertility in women?
Infertility in women are mainly caused by inability to ovulate and tubal blockage. Abroad problems with ovulation account for most cases of infertility in women but in Africa infertility in women is mainly caused by blockage of the fallopian tubes. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods. Blocked fallopian tubes are due to pelvic infections, surgeries, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy
Other causes of infertility include physical problems with the uterus including uterine fibroid .
What things increase a woman's risk of infertility?
Many things can affect a woman's ability to have a baby. These include:
age
stress
poor diet
athletic training
being overweight or underweight
tobacco smoking
Alcohol
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
health problems that cause hormonal changes
How does age affect a woman's ability to have children?
More and more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children either because of education or career. It is important to note that the ability to get pregnant decreases with increasing age such that after the age of 35 one third of women will have fertility problems. Aging decreases a woman's chances of having a baby in the following ways:
The ability of a woman's ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization declines with age.
The health/quality of a woman's eggs declines with age.
As a woman ages she is more likely to have health
problems that can interfere with fertilit.
As a women ages, her risk of having a miscarriage increases.
How long should a couple try to get pregnant before calling their doctors?
Most healthy women under the age of 30 shouldn't worry about infertility unless they've been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. At this point, women should talk to their doctors about a fertility evaluation. Men should also talk to their doctors if this much time has passed. However, in some cases, women should talk to their doctors sooner. For example, women in their 30s who've been trying to get pregnant for six months without success should speak to their doctors as soon as possible. Remember that a woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30. So getting a complete and timely fertility evaluation is especially important.
Also some health problems increase the risk of infertility. So women with the following issues should seek medical consultation as soon as possible:
irregular periods or no menstrual periods.
very painful periods.
Endometriosis
pelvic inflammatory disease.
More than one miscarriage
No matter how old you are, it's always a good idea to talk to a doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Doctors can help you prepare your body for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.
How will a doctor find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?
Sometimes doctors can find the cause of a couple's infertility by doing a complete fertility evaluation. This process usually begins with asking simple questions and then examining the woman and her partner. In addition simple tests to check for ovulation, patency of the fallopian tube and the quantity and quality of the sperm will be requested. However, if there is an obvious problem, attention will be directed to this before proceeding with the full evaluation.
Finding the cause of infertility is often a long, complex and emotional process. It can take months for you and your doctor to complete all the needed exams and tests. So don't be alarmed if the problem is not found right away. For a man, the doctor usually will begin by testing his semen. They look at the number, shape, and movement of the sperm. Sometimes the man's hormone levels are tested.
For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this. A woman can track her ovulation at home by her doctor. Doctors can also check if a woman is ovulating by doing blood tests and an ultrasound of the ovaries. Tests to check if the fallopian tubes are open or not include:
Hysterosalpingography
Laparoscopy and dye test
Treatment of infertility in women:
Some medicines are used to treat infertility in women but these are prescribed by the doctor according to the findings on physical examination and investigations.
Many of these fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets or other multiples and women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely) and with associated developmental problems. Therefore, these women should be counseled about these possible complications and closely monitored during pregnancy.
We will stop here for this session. At the next session, we will look at assisted reproductive technology and treatment for male infertility. Thanks very much for reading and remember that infertility is a problem of the woman and the man. Both should cooperate to solve the problem.

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IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS
- Play The Classic Wife/Mother
By Vien Jezon
Courtship is said to pave way for a successful marriage. This to a large extent depends on the individuals involved. During this period, a person intending to settle down should make out time to seriously ponder over what is expected of this great Institution. In doing this, one takes cognizance of each individual's background, orientations, values and degree of understanding.

If at the end, one sincerely accepts to tolerate the flaws of a particular individual, to stand by the person and give support at all times, it is indeed a good decision. On the other hand, if the decision is haphazardly taken or worst still out of desperation, such a marriage is bound to get rocky due to incessant crises and 'irreconcilable differences' which in recent times form the bases for dissolution of most marriages

My friend Gertie once told me of how a wealthy young man had come to ask for her hand in marriage via recommendation. According to her, the man who had vast business empire in Nigeria and only stepped into the country once or twice in a year at festive periods, told her that he wanted a wife that would oversee his business investments. She said that she had no such interest having set out to actualize her own dreams. So she politely turned down his offer on the basis that they have no common grounds and that they both lived in different worlds. Her rejection was greeted with pressure from relatives and friends not to miss such an opportunity. Who wouldn't like a gift of Hollandis wrapper on such a traditional wedding day?

As for gertie's immediate family, they felt it was her business to choose whom to spend the rest of her life with. Latter in a tête-à-tête (private conversation) between Gertie and her dad who was also her confidant; her dad suggested the following questions to help her in making a choice of a life partner and I think they are thought-provoking questions.

If I marry this man, would I be proud of him and submissive to him?
If his wealth suddenly goes down the drain, (in the case of a rich man) would I still stay behind to whether the storms of set-backs with him? For a poor man, am I ready to give him my total and unconditional support?

God forbid but in case of unforeseen circumstances, he becomes blind, would I be ready to lead the way for him?

What if he got involved in an auto-crash tomorrow and eventually wouldn't walk again?
Gertie stated that at this point her heart somersaulted but her old man reinforced; would you willingly, patiently and cheerfully wheel him around? Quiet intriguing questions. She said those words “willingly” “patiently” and “cheerfully” resounded in her mind.

“It may be a puzzle but if you sincerely find answers to these questions; I think it would help you to make a better choice, for marriage is like a sealed package holding out different things for different people and you never can predict what it has in stock for one.”

Well that was from Gertie's dad to her, I wouldn't know what yours must have told you. Whatever it may be I know they would never say things that are disastrous. This write-up is to know what happens after the usual 'I do' or 'I will' as the case may be.

One morning I woke up to the rantings of my neighbour with his wife and I wondered why people should be quarreling that early when they should be getting ready for the day's business.

From what he was narrating to his next door neigbour who came to calm him, he had a call the previous night that his presence would be needed in his office the next day. He was about dropping his wife at her office that morning as he usually did when he got a reminding call requesting him to come over at once, so he gave his wife the last money on him which was forty naira (N40) only to manage for a bike. Note that the word manage means the ability to solve a difficult problem or to manage money in a sensible way.

His wife went bananas questioning how that money could take her to the office. So she gave an ultimatum that he must drop her off first before going anywhere or else she will stay back at home for the day. That was what aggravated the whole situation. “What if I decide not to take her to the office from henceforth, what would happen?” he asked angrily. I think his wife should be in a better position to answer that question.

”What annoys me most is that it is when she should be saying “sorry” that she becomes rational and arrogant,” he further complained

From this scenario, there is no doubt that a simple “I am sorry” would have assuaged that situation but trust some women and their naughty nature. His wife never budged on her decision.
No woman can make bold to say she is lucky until she gets married, but this one was indeed lucky for her husband finally had to drop her off at her office before proceeding to answer the urgent call. That is the kind of thing some women advocate for 'female chauvinism.'

The first time I shared a flat with a married couple I knew peace but I wouldn't know if that peace would be attributed to the fact that the man a banker owing to his incessant transfers decided to settle his family at Onitsha while he did the visiting.

In Lagos, it was a different ball game. Iya Rebecca was a secondary school teacher while her husband was into the Alumaco fittings business. Most mornings, she would wake everybody up with her “Fun mi lo owo” (give me money) syndrome and her husband's “Mo ni owo” (I have no money) response.

I was prompted one morning to ask Sarah Yusuf another neighbour what Iya Rebecca did with her monthly salary having heard the teacher say that she received over twenty-five thousand (N25,000) naira monthly or did she spend everything on owambe (party) because if she was saving her salary but cannot and would not use it in times of need then her savings aim is defeated. Sarah in her usual Pidgin English and funny manner began “see, dat woman dey teach bet she no get sense to manage money. Na once she dey chop her salary. Any day she dey cook come scatter pots and bowls from dis kitchen reach dis passage, na im be say she don collect her salary and after dat day, she go begin wahala her husband for chop money.” Courtship is said to pave way for a successful marriage. This to a large extent depends on the individuals involved. During this period, a person intending to settle down should make out time to seriously ponder over what is expected of this great Institution. In doing this, one takes cognizance of each individual's background, orientations, values and degree of understanding.

If at the end, one sincerely accepts to tolerate the flaws of a particular individual, to stand by the person and give support at all times, it is indeed a good decision. On the other hand, if the decision is haphazardly taken or worst still out of desperation, such a marriage is bound to get rocky due to incessant crises and 'irreconcilable differences' which in recent times form the bases for dissolution of most marriages

My friend Gertie once told me of how a wealthy young man had come to ask for her hand in marriage via recommendation. According to her, the man who had vast business empire in Nigeria and only stepped into the country once or twice in a year at festive periods, told her that he wanted a wife that would oversee his business investments. She said that she had no such interest having set out to actualize her own dreams. So she politely turned down his offer on the basis that they have no common grounds and that they both lived in different worlds. Her rejection was greeted with pressure from relatives and friends not to miss such an opportunity. Who wouldn't like a gift of Hollandis wrapper on such a traditional wedding day?

As for gertie's immediate family, they felt it was her business to choose whom to spend the rest of her life with. Latter in a tête-à-tête (private conversation) between Gertie and her dad who was also her confidant; her dad suggested the following questions to help her in making a choice of a life partner and I think they are thought-provoking questions.

If I marry this man, would I be proud of him and submissive to him?
If his wealth suddenly goes down the drain, (in the case of a rich man) would I still stay behind to whether the storms of set-backs with him? For a poor man, am I ready to give him my total and unconditional support?

God forbid but in case of unforeseen circumstances, he becomes blind, would I be ready to lead the way for him?

What if he got involved in an auto-crash tomorrow and eventually wouldn't walk again?
Gertie stated that at this point her heart somersaulted but her old man reinforced; would you willingly, patiently and cheerfully wheel him around? Quiet intriguing questions. She said those words “willingly” “patiently” and “cheerfully” resounded in her mind.

“It may be a puzzle but if you sincerely find answers to these questions; I think it would help you to make a better choice, for marriage is like a sealed package holding out different things for different people and you never can predict what it has in stock for one.”

Well that was from Gertie's dad to her, I wouldn't know what yours must have told you. Whatever it may be I know they would never say things that are disastrous. This write-up is to know what happens after the usual 'I do' or 'I will' as the case may be.

One morning I woke up to the rantings of my neighbour with his wife and I wondered why people should be quarreling that early when they should be getting ready for the day's business.

From what he was narrating to his next door neigbour who came to calm him, he had a call the previous night that his presence would be needed in his office the next day. He was about dropping his wife at her office that morning as he usually did when he got a reminding call requesting him to come over at once, so he gave his wife the last money on him which was forty naira (N40) only to manage for a bike. Note that the word manage means the ability to solve a difficult problem or to manage money in a sensible way.

His wife went bananas questioning how that money could take her to the office. So she gave an ultimatum that he must drop her off first before going anywhere or else she will stay back at home for the day. That was what aggravated the whole situation. “What if I decide not to take her to the office from henceforth, what would happen?” he asked angrily. I think his wife should be in a better position to answer that question.

”What annoys me most is that it is when she should be saying “sorry” that she becomes rational and arrogant,” he further complained

From this scenario, there is no doubt that a simple “I am sorry” would have assuaged that situation but trust some women and their naughty nature. His wife never budged on her decision.
No woman can make bold to say she is lucky until she gets married, but this one was indeed lucky for her husband finally had to drop her off at her office before proceeding to answer the urgent call. That is the kind of thing some women advocate for 'female chauvinism.'
The first time I shared a flat with a married couple I knew peace but I wouldn't know if that peace would be attributed to the fact that the man a banker owing to his incessant transfers decided to settle his family at Onitsha while he did the visiting.

In Lagos, it was a different ball game. Iya Rebecca was a secondary school teacher while her husband was into the Alumaco fittings business. Most mornings, she would wake everybody up with her “Fun mi lo owo” (give me money) syndrome and her husband's “Mo ni owo” (I have no money) response.

I was prompted one morning to ask Sarah Yusuf another neighbour what Iya Rebecca did with her monthly salary having heard the teacher say that she received over twenty-five thousand (N25,000) naira monthly or did she spend everything on owambe (party) because if she was saving her salary but cannot and would not use it in times of need then her savings aim is defeated. Sarah in her usual Pidgin English and funny manner began “see, dat woman dey teach bet she no get sense to manage money. Na once she dey chop her salary. Any day she dey cook come scatter pots and bowls from dis kitchen reach dis passage, na im be say she don collect her salary and after dat day, she go begin wahala her husband for chop money.”
She was right because the problem with that woman was lack of resource management and inability to understand that there are low seasons in the life of every business man unlike the working class.

After months of experiencing low business, her husband got a contract to work in a three storey building at the verge of completion. Unfortunately a supposed day of celebration was the day the “fun mi lo” issue came to a dramatic end. As he hurried to leave that morning, his wife attacked him with her “fun mi lo owo” bug. The man said he had only N100 his transportation fare. She held him by his trousers refusing to let him go. Her husband in his usual calm manner was begging her to allow him to go to avoid him being late. For where! she went ahead to bolt the door you can imagine that. Her husband was asking her how the money would come if he didn't go to work but she insisted that the N100 should be given to her, even when she knew that where he was going to wasn't a trekable distance.

She was right because the problem with that woman was lack of resource management and inability to understand that there are low seasons in the life of every business man unlike the working class.

After months of experiencing low business, her husband got a contract to work in a three storey building at the verge of completion. Unfortunately a supposed day of celebration was the day the “fun mi lo” issue came to a dramatic end. As he hurried to leave that morning, his wife attacked him with her “fun mi lo owo” bug. The man said he had only N100 his transportation fare. She held him by his trousers refusing to let him go. Her husband in his usual calm manner was begging her to allow him to go to avoid him being late. For where! she went ahead to bolt the door you can imagine that. Her husband was asking her how the money would come if he didn't go to work but she insisted that the N100 should be given to her, even when she knew that where he was going to wasn't a trekable distance.
To be continued in the next edition...

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DRESSING: A REFLECTION OF OUR PERSONALITY
By Nweke Chukwujekwu

One of man's basic economic needs is clothing the main essence of which is to cover our nakedness and protect our body from diseases which may be contacted by mere exposure to bad weather.

Clothes are not only worn for covering our body but also for identity in order to show people's cultures, beliefs, profession etc. Through our dressing we can easily be identified. We also wear different clothes for different occasions.

However, many people today have changed the purpose of clothing, which is essentially to cover our nakedness to an abuse of it in the name of fashion. Many have made it something for attraction. Our dressing extensively reflects who we are. Many have deviated from our culture and embraced the western culture with the desire to live their lives as they want. They do not know that the woman who always struggles in the morning to leave the house before her husband may run into a danger that may be lurking for him.

This abuse of dressing is manifested most in our various institutions of higher learning where there is high concentration of youths. This mad and animal behaviour of our youths is often interpreted away in the name of fashion. Most of these immodest, distinguished and mad dressing in our campuses and societies are the results of our concentration and emulation of the western way of life which has eaten deep into the lives of the Africans. The days when you identified people through their cultural mode of dressing have gone. Today, people wear clothes not to protect the body but to attract their counterparts.

Basically in our campuses, our female students are harassed sexually by their male lecturers mostly because of their dressing. Imagine a situation where a female student dresses almost nude and skimpy and employs all styles of gimmicks to seduce the lecturer. Some dress carelessly and sit in front of the lecturers, exposing their intimate body parts. Others dress to catch boys' attention. Any girl who dresses for the seduction of her counterparts also dresses to attract sexual intercourse and rapists. The constant rapes we often hear on radio and television may be as a result of the attraction girls impact on boys through the clothes they wear.

Nigerian youths have extremely sold their esteem just for fashion. Why exposing the contours of your body? Why exposing the whole of your body for the world to see the shape and type of your under wears? Why exposing the thighs? Why exposing the navel? Why embarrassing the public and what will you gain in exposing the vital and sensitive parts of your body in the name of fashion? So, you do not know that your body is the temple of God? Anything ugly needs to be hidden but youths of today have made the ugly things to be exposed.

Even in the church, many people go to church to show their dresses. You will only identify them during the time of offertory. Some will be loitering about and sitting from one corner to the other. Majority of these people do not like joining the lay readers because the uniform will cover their clothes until the dismissal time. Who are you deceiving? Are you coming to church to seduce God? These people would never concentrate on the gospel. Rather, they would be waiting for any dancing time. Many girls are trying to turn churches to showbiz arena where people showcase their dresses.

Some of our boys have chosen to wear sleeveless shirts to public activities leaving the people around them at the mercy of odour emitting from their armpits. Why have some decided to plait their hairs or even have it coloured? Why have you chosen to wear ear ring in the name of western life? Many people have changed their lifestyle to that of rudeness by the intimidating of friends. Majority of these vices are those that “sag” (lowering of shorts and trousers below the hip) in form of western life. Majority of them will never button up their clothes; exposing the hairs on their chests and legs to attract their female counterparts. All these revolve round acts of irresponsibility.

Remember that you will be addressed the way you dress. But dressing cannot determine who you are but what is in you will determine. Let us eradicate the western culture and embrace our culture. Let us all join hands together and shun immodest dressing and listen to the good voices of our teachers, parents, religious leaders and those in authority in their bid to rid the society of the menace of immodest dressing. Let us reject the defective influence of western culture and strive to nurture, embrace, promote and preserve our deep cultural heritage.

So wake up with challenge and start now. If you want changes, you start it by yourself and others will join you. Let us remove the hand of a monkey in a soup pot before it turns to human. We can make the difference. Stand out!

Nweke Chukwujekwu 07065107396 writes from St. Louis Catholic Church, Uruagu Nnewi.

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