More Couples Facing Infertility Issues In SA
Article featured on: www.iol.co.za
Written by: Mercury Reporter
Having been together for 10 years, six of them as a married couple, Mr Patrick Goredema and his wife Enitan have suffered the agony of realising that she is unable to carry a pregnancy.
Coming from a society where bearing children is viewed as the essence of family life, the Goredemas have not only suffered the agony of realising that she may never be pregnant; they have both suffered the tag of being a societal pariah due to fertility issues.
In an interview, the Toronto-Canada based couple narrated their agony on how they had to distance from some of their friends as the expectation for babies grew.
A few weeks ago, the couple was united with their son who was born in April through a surrogate mother in Georgia. Article featured on: www.iol.co.za
Written by: Mercury Reporter
Durban – A report by the United Nations has revealed that the average fertility rate in South Africa is on the decline. Leading urogynaecologist Dr Frances Paterson from The Urology Hospital, Pretoria, has said couples unable to conceive after a year of trying should seek help from a specialist.
The report notes that fertility rates in South Africa for 2020 are projected at an average 2.3 children per woman, slightly lower than the global average of about 2.5.Furthermore, global fertility is projected to decline to 2.4 children per woman by 2030 and 2.2 children per woman by 2050.
Paterson said research shows that up to 20% of South African couples struggle with infertility which affects both males and females almost equally.
“Couples should consult a urogynaecologist if they’re unable to conceive after having regular unprotected sex for a year, or if a woman is unable to carry a baby to full term,” he said.
The World Health Organisation describes infertility as a “disease of the reproductive system, defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected intercourse”.
There are often no obvious symptoms of infertility although some women may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. Men may display hormonal signs such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
Some causes of infertility in women may include ovulation disorders, uterine or cervical abnormalities, fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, early menopause, pelvic adhesions and certain cancers and their treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Causes in men may include increasing age, obesity, smoking, using addictive substances, radiation, nutrition, taking supplements and steroids, a high testicular temperature, infections and STIs, genital injuries and varicocoele (enlargement of veins in the scrotal sack).
