Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Jean Nassar has emphasized the significant impact of lifestyle and environmental factors on fertility. He noted that poor diet, smoking, and pollution are contributing to a dramatic rise in infertility rates, not only in Nigeria but globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is defined as a disease of the male or female reproductive system characterized by the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. In an interview with HealthWise, Dr. Nassar, who heads the IVF unit at St. Georges Hospital University Medical Center in Lebanon, acknowledged the increasing rates of infertility while highlighting the availability of effective treatments tailored to the underlying causes.
Dr. Nassar explained that various factors contribute to the rise in infertility, including women delaying childbirth for educational, career, or economic reasons. He pointed out that environmental and lifestyle factors—such as pollution, poor diet, smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption—negatively affect fertility. He stressed the importance of adopting healthy habits, including maintaining a balanced diet to achieve a normal Body Mass Index, avoiding smoking, reducing alcohol intake, exercising regularly, and managing stress. According to him, a healthy lifestyle can significantly enhance an individual’s fertility.
To preserve fertility, Dr. Nassar recommended cryopreservation, particularly for women wishing to safeguard high-quality eggs before their reproductive window closes. The WHO estimates that infertility affects millions of people of reproductive age worldwide, impacting their families and communities. It is estimated that between 48 million couples and 186 million individuals globally live with infertility. The WHO also noted that addressing infertility could help reduce gender inequality, as it often leads to significant social repercussions for infertile couples, particularly women, who may face violence, divorce, social stigma, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
While there is no official data on the prevalence of infertility in Nigeria, it is estimated that one in every four Nigerian couples (25 percent) will encounter difficulties in conceiving and may require assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF. Dr. Nassar, who also works at One Wellness Centre in Lagos, highlighted that regular checkups, in addition to a healthy diet, can aid in the early identification of infertility causes, leading to improved treatment outcomes. He elaborated on the available treatments for infertility, stating that surgery may be necessary before initiating treatment in some cases.
Dr. Nassar emphasized that infertility treatment should be personalized for each couple based on various criteria assessed during consultations. The results of diagnostic tests guide the development of a tailored treatment plan that addresses the couple’s specific needs and medical conditions. As a fertility center, they offer a range of treatments, including programmed intercourse, intrauterine insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, surrogacy, donation, and cryopreservation. He assured that all infertility treatments are safe for both embryos and women undergoing the procedures, although the overall safety depends on the physician’s experience, the qualifications of the medical team, and the laboratory standards.
He acknowledged that some risks associated with IVF treatment, such as multiple pregnancies due to the transfer of multiple embryos and Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, can occur but are rare and can be mitigated by a skilled physician. Dr. Nassar also noted that while IVF is primarily a treatment for infertile couples, it can be beneficial in other situations. For instance, it is often recommended for couples with genetic disorders that could be passed to their children, as IVF with preimplantation genetic testing allows for the transfer of only genetically normal embryos. Additionally, IVF with preimplantation genetic testing is advisable for couples seeking a specific gender for their baby or those pursuing surrogacy using their gametes.
Addressing common myths surrounding IVF, Dr. Nassar stated that there is no evidence to suggest that babies conceived through IVF are less healthy than those conceived naturally. He pointed out that research indicates that babies born via IVF require the same level of monitoring as those conceived through natural means.
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