Accra, June 20, GNA- Merck Foundation, a Non-governmental Organisation, has urged society and spouses to see infertility as a shared responsibility and not an individual tragedy or taboo.
It said treating the issue of infertility as a taboo by family members and society would not only worsen the situation but also generate emotional and psychological problems among people.
Senator Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, during a press conference organised via zoom said the Foundation was working hard to break the silence on infertility and gender-based violence globally.
The press conference was organised by Merck Foundation in partnership with the African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) towards the commemoration of the World Infertility Awareness Week.
She said, infertility did not only affect females but males too thus, it was a shared responsibility and not a blame game.
To this end, the Merck Foundation has started sensitization in children, through reality shows for kids on television stations in few countries, she stated.
Senator Kelej assured that “Merck Foundation would continue to create awareness and prevention through various procedures until the issue of infertility is normalized,”
Mr. Oladapo Ashiru, President of the African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), explained that reproduction was a human right and as such people with infertility problems must be helped to gain their right to have children.
Mr. Ashiru said when a couple decides to seek help on infertility issues together, the success rate is much higher and effective than when the woman seeking help alone.
He advised men to always support their wives throughout the process of seeking help to solve their infertility problems because it is a shared responsibility.
Exposure to environmental toxins (such as lead and pesticides), over exercising, eating disorders, substance abuse, and weight problems were all causes of infertility that one must look out for, he stated.
Mr Ashiru said stress was also a major cause of infertility, adding that it could disrupt the connection between the brain, ovaries and cause delayed or absent ovulation and irregular periods.
Dr Edgar Mocanu, President of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) also explained that the amount of time trying to conceive drops to six months for an infertility diagnosis in women older than 35 years of age. “For women over 40 years, immediate evaluation is warranted,” he added.
He said some healthcare providers considered a couple infertile if they tried but failed to get pregnant within one year, but infertility did not include miscarrying or being unable to carry a baby to childbirth.
Merck Foundation and its partners urged the World to help create awareness to normalize the issue of infertility.
GNA