Stop Blaming Women For Infertility, Expert Warns

A medical expert, Prof Ajenifuja Olusegun, has cautioned against shifting the blame of infertility on women saying it could be caused by either of the partners.

The consultant on Obstetric and Gynaecologist at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, stated this during a lecture titled: “Comprehensive Overview of the Medical Solution to Infertility.”

Presenting a paper at the An-nadwa Annual Scholars Colloquium organized by Standard Bearers Islamic organization, Ile-Ife, yesterday, the university Don attributed infection that is tubal blockage and outflow tract obstruction, and exposure of testes to high temperatures which leads to impaired sperm production, to the causes of infertility.

Other causes according to him, are blockage of the vas deference which hinders sperm transportation, epididymoorchitis, inadequate meeting, anovulation from various sperm production and varicocele decreases sperm production and quality.

He noted that in a patriarchal society, the blame is often on the women because it is the women who get pregnant, positing that the belief is erroneous.

He said Muslims have the advantage of approaching devoted Ulamas in seeking Islamic solutions to the problem of infertility.

Also, a lecturer in the Department of Islamic Studies, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Dr Nafiu Al-Jawhari, posited that it is important to have children as its benefit is not limited to the world but also beneficial after death, according to Islamic teaching.

He said, “Procreation or fertility is a natural phenomenon visible in all God’s creation. However, Islam places a high premium on human reproduction because of its divine position on health.

The national Amir of Standard Bearers Islamic Organization, Dr. Nurudeen Abdulraheem, explained that the programme was organized to sensitize Muslims about the Islamic rules on modern treatment options.