Fertility-challenged couples without any diagnosed problems desiring to have their babies in this new year should have sex two to three times a week, a fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi has said.
Ajayi, who is the Medical Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, said frequent sex could help the couples achieve a pregnancy.
According to him, infertility means difficulty becoming pregnant or conceiving despite having regular sex when not using any form of contraception.
He explained that while some couples take a few months to conceive, others could take several months to one or more years before conceiving.
The gynaecologist revealed that the surge in migration of Nigerians abroad also known as japa syndrome was adding to the burden of infertility in Nigeria.
“We recommend having sex two to three times a week. When one partner migrates abroad, the physical distance and logistical challenges often lead to decreased sexual activity, thereby reducing the chances of conception. Japa leads to less sexual exposure, which lowers the chances of pregnancy.
“For instance, the case of a man who has lived in the UK for two years will need to be investigated if his wife becomes pregnant while in Nigeria. This situation applies if the case is the reverse, that is if it is the woman abroad and the man is in Nigeria. Overall, sexual frequency is decreasing, resulting in limited sexual activity”, Ajayi said.
Speaking during a virtual media parley on the topic “A Guide to Having Your Own Baby in 2025,” Ajayi explained what fertility-challenged couples should do in the new year to become parents.
“Knowing the best times to have sex is essential. If a couple engages in intercourse two to three times a week, they likely don’t have a fertility problem. However, couples who don’t live together face challenges, particularly with the distractions of modern life,” he said.
The fertility specialist divided couples experiencing infertility into two groups: those starting their journey and those already aware of fertility issues, in addition to what they are to do.
“Most people in the first group, if they engage in regular intercourse and maintain a healthy lifestyle, can conceive naturally. However, the second group may need treatments like IVF to achieve pregnancy”, he said.
He assured couples experiencing infertility who are in the first group that they could have their babies this year if they pay attention to what their doctor is telling them while the second group should embrace IVF.
Ajayi expressed concern that infertility had become a common problem in Nigeria, a situation he stated had been compounded by the japa syndrome.
He revealed that about one in four Nigerian couples usually have one problem or the other conceiving.
He added, “Such couples do not conceive within a year of trying. However, more than half of couples that are having regular sex would normally conceive within one year if the woman is aged below 35.”
The maternal health expert also spoke on the need for women to have a proper understanding of their menstrual cycle, citing the importance of having sex during ovulation.
For women to get pregnant, he emphasised that they need to know when ovulation happens, stressing that they were mostly fertile around the time an egg was released and that they should plan to have sex.
He noted, “If a couple has sex two to three times weekly, the chances of conception increase. For women, understanding their menstrual cycle is very important. Start tracking ovulation from the 9th day of your cycle, and have intercourse every other day around that period.
“In Nigeria, the issue is often that the husband is abroad, while the wife is at home, or vice versa. This reduces their chances of conceiving. For couples living together, distractions like phones can also impact intimacy. A healthy lifestyle, including weight management, is crucial for fertility.”
He advised couples battling infertility to seek medical assistance.
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TagsconceptioncouplesDr Abayomi AjayiinfertilityIntending parents battling infertilityIVFpregnancy
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