ABIMS Fertility & Andrology

EVACUATION YOU DID TO REMOVE PREGNANCY COULD BE THE CAUSE OF YOUR INFERTILITY

Evacuation is a procedure used to remove a pregnancy from the womb (uterus). In medical terms, it is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). During early pregnancy, the embryo attaches firmly to the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. This lining is very important because it allows the pregnancy to implant and grow properly. In a D&C procedure: The cervix is gently opened (dilation). A medical instrument is used to remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus (curettage). When this procedure is done by a qualified professional using proper techniques (often with ultrasound guidance), it is generally safe. However, if it is done improperly or by an untrained person, it can damage the lining of the uterus. Possible complications include: Scratching or scarring of the endometrium Thinning of the uterine lining Formation of scar tissue inside the uterus (adhesions) These scars may not affect your monthly menstrual cycle, but they can make it difficult for a future pregnancy to implant properly, which may lead to infertility or repeated miscarriages. If you have concerns about infertility after a D&C, it is important to see a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance   

HOW TO HANDLE A WOMAN WITH A LOW SEX DRIVE

Low sexual desire (low libido) in women can sometimes be caused by hormonal imbalance. In some cases, this imbalance may begin as early as puberty and continue into adulthood, affecting sexual desire and responsiveness. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play important roles in a woman’s sexual drive. When these hormones are not balanced, it can reduce interest in sex, cause vaginal dryness, or make arousal more difficult. If a woman experiences persistent low libido, she should see a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment. Hormonal testing, counseling, or other medical support may help address the issue. The Partner’s Role A supportive partner also plays an important role. Communication is key: Informing your partner ahead of time about your desire for intimacy can help her prepare emotionally and mentally. Emotional readiness often influences physical readiness. Avoid rushing: Instead of immediate penetration, begin with affectionate touch and foreplay. This helps stimulate arousal, increase natural lubrication, and align both partners emotionally and physically. Patience, understanding, and open communication can greatly improve intimacy and sexual satisfaction for both partners. 

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PCOS

Many people think that if a woman has regular monthly periods, she cannot have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). That is not always true. PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects how the ovaries function. While irregular periods are common with PCOS, some women still have what appears to be a normal menstrual cycle. However, they may still have other underlying hormonal imbalances affecting ovulation and fertility. In some cases, a woman may notice that: Her periods are usually regular But once she starts fertility treatment or hormonal medications, her cycle becomes irregular She may experience delayed ovulation or no ovulation at all This could reveal an underlying hormonal issue such as PCOS that was not previously obvious. Why This Happens PCOS is mainly related to: Hormonal imbalance (especially excess androgens) Insulin resistance Problems with regular ovulation Even if bleeding occurs every month, ovulation may not be happening properly. This is called anovulatory cycles, and it can affect fertility. What You Should Do If you notice changes in your cycle during fertility treatment, or if you are struggling to conceive despite having regular periods, it is important to: See a qualified healthcare professional Do hormonal testing Get a pelvic ultrasound scan Properly evaluate whether it is simple hormonal imbalance or PCOS Early diagnosis helps guide the right treatment and improves chances of successful conception. 

UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY: LOW SPERM VOLUME IN MEN

Low sperm volume (low semen volume) is an important but often overlooked cause of infertility. Many couples focus only on the woman’s health, but male factors contribute to infertility in a significant number of cases. What Is Ejaculation? Ejaculation happens when a man reaches orgasm and releases semen from the penis into the vagina. Semen is the fluid that contains: Sperm cells (which fertilize the egg) Fluids from the prostate and seminal vesicles Normally, semen volume ranges from about 1.5 to 5 milliliters per ejaculation. When the volume is very low, it may reduce the chances of pregnancy because fewer sperm are delivered into the female reproductive tract. Why Low Sperm Volume Matters Low sperm volume can: Reduce the number of sperms reaching the egg Make fertilization more difficult Indicate a blockage in the reproductive tract Suggest hormonal imbalance or gland problems Even if sperm cells are healthy, very low semen volume can affect the ability to conceive. Possible Causes of Low Sperm Volume Frequent ejaculation (not allowing enough time for semen to build up) Hormonal imbalance Blockage of the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm) Problems with the seminal vesicles or prostate gland Retrograde ejaculation (where semen flows backward into the bladder) Dehydration or certain medications The Role of the Vas Deferens The vas deferens is the tube that carries sperm from the epididymis (where sperm mature at the back of the testicle) to mix with seminal fluid before ejaculation. If this tube is blocked or damaged: Semen volume may be low Sperm may be absent (azoospermia) Fertility may be affected Semen Analysis and Abstinence For accurate semen analysis, most medical guidelines recommend abstaining from ejaculation for 2–7 days before the test. This helps standardize the result and provides a clearer picture of sperm count, motility, and volume. Testing too soon after ejaculation may temporarily reduce volume and sperm count, which can give misleading results. Therefore, it is important to follow proper medical guidelines rather than personal opinion when preparing for a semen test. Important Clarification for Couples While women may not always clearly notice ejaculation, pregnancy does not depend on sensation alone. What matters most is: Adequate semen volume Healthy sperm count Good sperm motility (movement) Proper timing during ovulation When to See a Doctor A man should seek evaluation if: Pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse There is very little or no semen during ejaculation There are known testicular, hormonal, or sexual health issues A fertility specialist can perform proper testing and determine the exact cause. 

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SURROGACY

1. Gestational Surrogacy In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries a pregnancy but does not use her own egg. The embryo is created through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using: The intended mother’s egg and intended father’s sperm, or Donor egg and/or donor sperm The embryo is then transferred into the surrogate’s uterus. In this case, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby. She is only carrying the pregnancy. This type of surrogacy: Requires IVF Requires strong legal agreements Is the most commonly practiced form today 2.Traditional Surrogacy In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg, meaning she is genetically related to the baby. Her egg is fertilized with the intended father’s sperm (usually through artificial insemination). Because the surrogate is the biological mother, this type carries more legal and emotional complexity and is less commonly practiced in many countries. Important Facts About Surrogacy Surrogacy Is Not the Same as Adoption Adoption is a legal process where a person or couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child who is not biologically theirs. In gestational surrogacy, the child is usually genetically related to the intended parents. The surrogate is simply carrying the pregnancy. IVF Is Required (in Gestational Surrogacy) Gestational surrogacy requires IVF to create and transfer the embryo into the surrogate’s uterus.The Surrogate Does Not Always Donate Her Eggs In gestational surrogacy, only the womb is needed — not the surrogate’s egg. In traditional surrogacy, her egg is used.   It Involves Intended Parents While surrogacy often involves a married couple, laws in some countries also allow single individuals or unmarried couples to pursue surrogacy. Legal eligibility depends on the country’s regulations.   Legal Documentation Is Essential Surrogacy must involve proper legal agreements to: Define parental rights Protect the surrogate Protect the intended parents Prevent future disputes Without legal documentation, serious complications can arise. Screening Is Mandatory Before proceeding, the surrogate should undergo: Medical and fertility screening Psychological evaluation Mental health assessment Infectious disease testing This ensures she is physically and emotionally prepared for the process.   It Is Expensive Surrogacy can be costly due to: IVF procedures Medical care Legal fees Compensation (where allowed) Agency fee It Is Illegal in Some Countries Surrogacy laws vary widely. Some countries: Fully allow it Restrict it Completely prohibit it It is important to understand the laws in your country before starting the process It Is Not 100% Guaranteed Like all fertility treatments, surrogacy does not guarantee pregnancy or a successful birth. Success depends on: Egg and sperm quality Uterine health Age Overall medical factors Multiple attempts may sometimes be required. Emotional Commitment Is Important Surrogacy is not just a medical process — it is emotional for everyone involved. Clear communication, counseling, and support are crucial throughout the journey. 

WHEN YOUR MENSTRUAL PERIOD IS PAINFUL IT COULD BE A SERIOUS SIGN OF INFERTILITY

I want to discuss a painful menstruation in relation to adenomyosis and endometriosis. Normally, menstrual cycle supposed not to come with pain and if there will me any, it should be a mild one not a severed one. The duration as designed by God should be between two to seven days. When you start having a sever pain or heavy menstrual flow, it may be that you are suffering from endometriosis or adenomyosis but endometriosis is a bit mild, it is usually caused when the inner tissue that serves as a as lining in the endometrium in the area of the womb, start shedding blood, the other part of the womb that has the tissue will want to shed blood as well causing you to have a severe pain and it can be surgically removed by the professionals and can also be managed. In the cause of the adenomyosis, is when the blood flows into itself, and prevent women from getting pregnant. in this case, if it can’t be managed, it may lead to the removal of the womb. What you need to do is to visit the professional on what to do and stay away from self-medication which may escalate the issue to the point of infertility.

ALCOHOL AND SMOKING WILL DAMAGE YOUR SPERM QUALITY

This write-up is for men whose wives are waiting for the fruit of the womb. If you know that you have done semen analysis, motility, morphology, and count, and you have been told that you are having problems with the analysis, either all or two out of the three parameters. It could be as a result of these four things, making the treatment unsuccessful. First is, taking of alcohol, secondly is, smoking, third one is stress and the fourth one is to have a change of lifestyle. You need to desist from having extra marital affairs, wasting away the semen that is to make your wife pregnant. Smoking and drinking will affect your sperm DNA in a way that affect the ROS, reproductive oxygen species in your body system, causing a damage by creating oxidative stress for your sperm cells. Though, oxidative stress can be experience at any part of the body but if yours is taking place at your testicular region, it will destroy your sperm cells. This may not affect others as it is affecting you, that is why you should stop the following lifestyle to experience a change and also visit your professional for treatments. 

FORCED SPILLAGE OF CONTRACT IN HSG

HSG is the test to know whether your fallopian tube is open or not because sperm and egg must meet in the fallopian tube before fertilization will take place and then move to the womb. If it is a situation where it is one of the tubes that is blocked, the other can still be used too get pregnant. Most professional, usually report when they want to, that there is a “forced spillage of contrast’’ in HSG. Which means that the tubes are not open but due to the pressure hey applied when putting the dye inside your body, is what forced the spillage. This does not that your tubes are patent because the dye do not move through that tubes freely. If you see on your report written forced spillage, just know that your tubes are not opened. 

HIGH PROGESTERONE COULD CAUSE INFERTILITY

I want to explain high progesterone at 21st day of your cycle. Many women after running the following test: AMH, LH, FSH, Progesterone and Prolactin, and you find out that the progesterone is low, some women will start taking injections- progesterone inserts or suppository to improve the progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone that the ovaries will produce during the ovulation. once the ovaries released the eggs, what will be left is the corpus luteum which will start producing enough progesterone for implantation to take place. When the ovary releases the progesterone, the progesterone will move to the endometrium, the lining of the womb, pick up the progesterone, the thickness of womb will become more and prepare for the implantation. But when you have high progesterone around the 21st day of your menstrual cycle, it means that your ovaries that releases the eggs, produce more progesterone but your womb fail to utilize the progesterone for implantation to take place. What you need to do is to give the result to a professional to know what to do. Because if by any means, there is a conception and the situation is not correction it may leads to blighted ovum or miscarriage. The normal progesterone is between 5-36 ng/ml.  Before you can any medication to improve your progesterone, it is until you run a test and you find out that that your progesterone is > 5ng/ml, that is when you can take medication to adjust it.  Because if you take anything prior to the implantation, increasing the progesterone, your womb will react and will not support pregnancy. 

GENDER SELECTION IN FERTILITY TREATMENT

For gender selection to be possible, the majority of the sperms cells from your body must be XY chromosomes because there is tendency that, if it is a boy you need, the embryos prepared may be of girls. So my advise to any one going for gender selection, especially the men, should take medications to prepare their body for it for the procedure.