…Says intending parents should have intercourse 2 to 3 times times weekly

By Sola Ogundipe

The mass exodus of Nigerians abroad in search of greener pasture, aka Japa, is impacting on the fertility dynamics of  the country, even as the development may also be contributing to a rise in polygamy among some Nigerians.

An experienced fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi,  who blamed long distance relationships as  contributing toward incidences of declining rates of sexual intercourse and fertility in the country, argued that the resulting shift in social dynamics, coupled with the reduced frequency of sexual intercourse, may be contributing to a decline in fertility rates in Nigeria.

Speaking during a virtual media parley, Ajayi who is the Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, observed that one of the primary factors of Japa is the reduced frequency of sexual intercourse.

Furthermore, he noted that  Japa may be contributing to a rise in polygamy among some some men, who, with increased financial resources acquired abroad,  may feel empowered to take on multiple wives, potentially impacting the overall fertility dynamics within the country.

“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.

“A surprising trend is that some people, especially in Nigeria, are taking on second or third wives due to Japa. When they convert their pounds sterling to to Naira, they often act like they have become wealthy.

“This behaviour can be seen with the older men, so it is not unusual to see a 60-year-old man marrying a 32-year-old woman, even if he already has children.

“It seems younger men are not marrying younger women anymore. Japa is changing our demographics and negatively affecting fertility rates. Many of these developments are new and were uncommon, but this is the reality,.” he noted.

Speaking on “A Guide to Having Your Own Baby in 2025”, Ajayi said people wishing to become parents can be divided into two groups.

“The first group consists of those just beginning their journey. They might not have done any tests yet. If everything is normal and they have regular intercourse, which means two to three times a week, about 75 to 85 percent will likely conceive by the end of 2025. However, they will need some support to increase their chances.”

The second group, the fertiliy expert noted, includes individuals who already know they need assistance due to earlier evaluations, even as he observed that many people are confused about their need for IVF.

“Some are just starting to learn that IVF might be necessary. This second group already understands their need for IVF. Studies show that 75 to 85 percent of those trying to conceive have no medical issues but are simply beginning this journey. It’s important for them to know a few key things.

“For women, understanding their menstrual cycle is crucial. They should know the best times to have sex. If a couple is having sex two to three times a week, they likely don’t have a problem. However, those who don’t live together face challenges, especially now as many people are distracted by their busy lives.”

He satetd that in the UK, many young couples are experience difficulties with sex, even when living together, with distractions such as smartphones, often taking priority over intimacy.

“It’s a concerning trend that hopefully won’t spread to Nigeria where the issue seems to be that the husband is far away while the woman is here. For those who travel frequently, understanding your menstrual cycle is crucial. It’s important to know when to wait and when to try for a baby.

“We recommend having sex two to three times a week. Knowing your ovulation period increases the chances of conceiving. Although we’ve discussed signs of ovulation before, younger people tend to be less patient. They have tools to help identify their ovulation time, making it easier to plan for intercourse.

“Typically, you should start tracking around the 9th day of your cycle, counting from the first day of your period. Begin testing to find out when you’re ovulating. The common advice is to have sex every other day starting on day nine to catch the right timing.

“Another important aspect is living a healthy lifestyle. After the holidays, many people indulge and might gain weight. If you’ve gained weight, now is the time to lose it, as being overweight can affect fertility for both men and women,” Ajayi observed.