Punch Newspapers
Sections
Lara Adejoro
A new study by reproductive health experts has found that air pollution is associated with increased infertility risk for couples by up to 20 per cent.
The researchers say the association might explain the increased infertility rates in polluted areas.
The study, conducted in China, according to the researchers, tracked more than 10,000 couples.
It found that those who experienced higher levels of particulate pollution were one-fifth more likely to fail to become pregnant within a year of beginning to try.
The study, led by Qin Li of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China, was published in the Environment International journal.
Punch Newspapers
Sections
Lara Adejoro
Vice-President, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria and Consultant Ophthalmologist at The Eye Doctors Clinic, Dr. Abiola Oyeleye, says some glaucoma eye drops can ‘minimally increase’ the incidence of sexual dysfunction and impotence.
He, however, added that the benefits of the eye drops far outweigh the consideration of not using them.
Oyeleye spoke in reaction to a study published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information on the correlation in severity between glaucoma and erectile dysfunction.
The study states that there is a positive association between the presence of erectile dysfunction and diagnosis of glaucoma.
The research was led by Geoffrey Law of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Punch Newspapers
Sections
Lara Adejoro
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Gregory Ohihoin, says sexual intercourse may help to initiate labour in pregnant women who have passed their estimated day of delivery.
Dr. Ohihoin said having sex at term helps to promote prostaglandins, which may help induce labour.
The prostaglandins are a unique group of pharmacologically active lipids that are widely distributed in mammalian tissues and body fluids.
Ohihoin spoke in reaction to a study published in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, showing that sexual activity in the last week of pregnancy might be associated with the onset of labour.
Punch Newspapers
Sections
Lara Adejoro
Around eight in 1,000 babies are born with something wrong with their heart. This can sometimes be called a cardiac abnormality, congenital heart disease or congenital heart defect.
While most of these babies can survive and grow to adulthood, and may go on to have children themselves, experts say it is one reason why pregnant women must be mindful of their health while the gestation period lasts.
Experts say that if a child has a congenital heart defect, it means that the child was born with a problem in the structure of his or her heart.