According to a recent study conducted among postmenopausal women, Professor Amaka Ocheke, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Jos, revealed that cigarette smoking plays a role in women reaching menopause at the age of 45.
The research highlights one of the factors contributing to early menopause in this group.
Furthermore, Prof. Ocheke challenged the notion that infertility is solely linked to one gender. She explained that both men and women can contribute to infertility in couples. In Nigeria, infertility affects a higher percentage of couples compared to the global average. Approximately 20-30 per cent of couples in Nigeria experience infertility, whereas the global average stands at 10-15 per cent.
When it comes to the causes of infertility, Prof. Ocheke stated that female issues account for about 30 per cent, male issues for another 30 per cent, and 30 per cent are attributed to a combination of male and female factors. The remaining 10 per cent have no identifiable cause.
In addition to discussing infertility, Prof. Ocheke shed light on the prevalence of twin pregnancies among different ethnic groups. According to her findings, the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria has the highest rate of twin pregnancies, which are the most common type of multiple pregnancies, particularly among black communities.
Regarding pregnancy outcomes, Prof. Ocheke pointed out that about 10-20 per cent of all pregnancies in Nigeria end in miscarriages. A miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, refers to a pregnancy that ends on its own before the fetus reaches 28 weeks of gestation.
The information was delivered during Prof. Ocheke's 106th inaugural lecture titled, 'The Odyssey of the Nigerian Uterus: Bumps, Potholes and Accidents,' held at the Faculty of Health Sciences in UNIJOS. The lecture provided valuable insights into the reproductive health challenges faced by Nigerian women and couples.
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