Maternal and reproductive health experts have issued a stern warning to men regarding the irreversible dangers of neglecting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In a series of clinical advisories, physicians emphasized that untreated gonorrhea and syphilis do not merely cause temporary discomfort but can actively destroy the cells responsible for sperm production, leading to permanent infertility.
Professor Oliver Ezechi, the Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Yaba, noted that the damage often occurs through secondary complications. When these bacterial infections are left to fester or are poorly managed through self-medication, they can trigger inflammation of the testicles and the epididymis. This inflammatory response can scar the delicate tubules where spermatozoa are formed and stored, either significantly lowering the sperm count or causing a total absence of sperm, a condition known as azoospermia.
Read more: A Bad Child Is a Bad Child — Wike Rebukes Fubara on Job Cuts
“If the damage is severe and irreversible, it can lead to lifelong infertility,” Prof. Ezechi warned. He further highlighted that untreated HIV plays a similarly destructive role. By weakening the immune system, HIV allows opportunistic infections to invade the genital tract. “These infections take advantage of compromised immunity to attack the organs responsible for producing spermatozoa, just as they would attack the lungs or brain,” he explained.
While STIs remain a primary concern, experts are also pointing to environmental and lifestyle factors prevalent in the Nigerian workspace. Dr. Labaran Aliyu, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, identified a direct link between certain occupations and declining male fertility.
Heat Exposure: Long-distance drivers are at high risk due to the prolonged exposure of the scrotum to heat from vehicle engines, which impairs sperm quality.
Congenital Issues: Undescended testes, where the testicles remain in the abdomen rather than the scrotum, create an environment too warm for sperm survival.
Lifestyle Choices: Excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use continue to be major inhibitors of healthy sperm morphology.Medical experts conclude that a fertility evaluation should be viewed as a comprehensive health check. As we enter 2026, the message from the clinical community is clear: a man’s reproductive health is the primary indicator of his longevity and metabolic stability
