Knowledge of reproductive cycle and sexuality among infertile women in Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The situation in Africa is a paradox, records the highest percentage of fertility and infertility globally. Reproductive behavior in Africa is fertility oriented, resulting in huge psychosocial burden beyond comprehension to the infertile women/couple. Sexual practice and knowledge of reproductive cycle are important factors to the attainment of conception. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate knowledge of reproductive cycle amongst women attending infertility clinic and their sexuality practice. RESULTS: Twenty eight (32.2%) out of the 87 subjects knew their menstrual cycle length and 39.1% (34/87) had an idea of their ovulatory period. Sixty nine (79.3%) subjects did not have an idea of symptoms of ovulation. Of the 18 (20.7%) subjects that knew the signs of ovulation, 13 (72.2%) of them do experience signs of ovulation. Sexuality practice revealed coital frequency that ranged from 0 to 5 times weekly. Seventy two (82.5%) of the 87 subjects did not have a say as to the timing of coital act. Of the 15 (17.2%) subjects that had a say in the timing of sexual act, 13 (86.7%) of them made conscious effort to have coitus during the ovulatory period. Overall, only 21 (24.1%) of the 87 subjects believed that pregnancy could occur during menstrual flow. The effect of subjects' sub fertile status on their interest in intercourse showed that infertility enhance coital interest in 45 (51.7%) subjects, diminish coital interest in 29 (33.3%) subjects and infertility made no difference in 13 (15%) subjects.CONCLUSION: Gender equality, women empowerment, provision of universal basic education and eradication of poverty are programs to be targeted towards improving reproductive rights of women and their knowledge base. Health education and counseling should be an integral part of infertility management.