By Rita Oyiboka
Medical experts assembled by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity have raised concerns over the impact of Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions on reproductive health, warning that financial stress, depression and unhealthy lifestyles are contributing to a growing incidence of erectile dysfunction and male infertility among Nigerian men.
The experts spoke during a live radio discussion on Trend FM, Asaba, held as part of the Annual Feast of Barracuda (FoB) Lecture organised by the Vito Corsica Deck of NAS, with the theme: “Breaking the Silence on Fertility: Understanding the Challenges, Exploring the Solutions, Restoring Hope.”
The Vito Corsica Deck covers the Aniocha, Oshimili and Ika Federal Constituencies of Delta State.
The panel featured Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Dr. Samuel Ilikannu; Consultant Family Physician and Head of the Department of Family Medicine at Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), Dr. Urenma Obodoagha; and representative of the National Association of Seadogs, Moses Agwere, Esq.
Speaking on the significance of the annual lecture, Barr. Agwere, a Deputy Director of Legal Drafting at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, said the Feast of Barracuda is a public enlightenment initiative through which the association examines pressing social, political, economic and health issues affecting society while promoting informed public discourse and practical solutions.
Addressing listeners, the medical experts observed that infertility remains one of the most misunderstood health conditions in Nigeria, with women frequently bearing the blame despite scientific evidence showing that male infertility accounts for a substantial proportion of infertility cases.
Dr. Ilikannu noted that childbearing occupies a central place in many African marriages, making infertility a source of emotional, psychological and social distress for couples.
He explained that infertility is medically defined as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, or after six months where the female partner is 35 years or older.
According to him, couples should engage in regular unprotected sexual intercourse at least three times a week before infertility can be medically established.
“Only about 20 to 25 per cent of women conceive during a single menstrual cycle. Couples should therefore avoid unnecessary anxiety immediately after marriage, as many pregnancies occur naturally within the first year,” he said.
Dispelling the widespread belief that infertility is primarily a female problem, Dr. Ilikannu said male-factor infertility is on the rise.
“People often focus on women, but male infertility is becoming increasingly common. Studies indicate that male factors account for between 30 and 40 per cent of infertility cases,” he stated.
The fertility specialist also linked the increasing prevalence of erectile dysfunction among Nigerian men to mounting psychological and economic pressures.
According to him, prolonged financial stress, anxiety and depression associated with the country’s economic challenges are taking a significant toll on men’s sexual and reproductive health.
He identified diabetes, hypertension, nerve damage, excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use and other underlying medical conditions as additional causes of erectile dysfunction, warning against the indiscriminate use of sexual enhancement drugs without proper medical evaluation.
In her contribution, Dr. Obodoagha emphasised that infertility should never be viewed as a woman’s burden alone.
She identified reproductive tract infections, hormonal imbalances, complications from unsafe abortions, chronic medical conditions and unhealthy lifestyles as some of the factors affecting female fertility, adding that some cases remain medically unexplained despite thorough investigations.
She advised newly married couples against placing undue pressure on themselves to conceive immediately after marriage.
“Enjoy your marriage. Don’t turn intimacy into a scheduled activity centred solely on ovulation. Relax, support one another and allow nature to take its course while seeking medical help when necessary,” she advised.
The experts agreed that early medical evaluation, rather than stigma or self-medication, remains the best approach for couples experiencing fertility challenges.
They identified counselling, treatment of underlying medical conditions, lifestyle modification, balanced nutrition, regular physical exercise, fertility-enhancing medications, multivitamin supplementation and assisted reproductive technologies such as In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), as well as surrogacy and adoption where appropriate, as effective options for managing infertility depending on individual circumstances.
The discussion formed part of the National Association of Seadogs’ continued commitment to promoting public awareness on critical health and social issues through its annual Feast of Barracuda lecture series.