Yendi: 'When we could not give birth after two consecutive years of staying together as a couple, it became a nightmare in our marriage, especially when our parents began asking for grandchildren,' said Mr and Mrs Nakoja Nimong of Bundol in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the couple shared their ordeal, highlighting their desperate attempts to conceive, which took them down a path of unverified treatments. They sought remedies from various herbalists, indulging in drinking and bathing in bitter herbs and concoctions as spiritual purification rituals, all to no avail. They believed their infertility was a spiritual issue, thus initially dismissing medical intervention.
The turning point came after five years when a national service person advised them to undergo medical examinations, leading to the birth of their first child. This story is a reflection of the struggles faced by many couples in Ghana who, out of desperation and social pressure, resort to unverified treatments in their quest for children.
Similarly, Madam Asana Alhassan from the Sagnarigu Municipality recounted her 10-year struggle before conceiving her first child. Her journey taught her patience and the importance of professional medical advice over unproven remedies. She urged couples to remain committed to appropriate treatments and not succumb to societal pressures.
Infertility, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a disease of the reproductive system that prevents pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected intercourse. In Ghana, infertility prevalence ranges from 12 to 15 percent among couples of reproductive age.
Dr. Asomma Kubire, a Resident Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, cautioned against unverified treatments, stressing that they could exacerbate underlying conditions and delay proper medical intervention. He highlighted that infertility affects both men and women and requires comprehensive medical assessment to determine the specific cause.
Dr. Kubire emphasized the importance of seeking early care from qualified health professionals. He noted that for men, factors like previous infections and excessive heat exposure to the testicles could affect fertility, while for women, issues could involve the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovarian hormonal function.
He also warned against relying solely on ultrasound results, as they might not reveal all fertility issues. Dr. Kubire stressed that infertility management must consider age, especially for women over 35, due to the finite number of eggs that decline with age.
The need for professional evaluation and management in cases of infertility cannot be overstated, as couples are encouraged to seek early medical intervention to improve their chances of conception.