One in six people worldwide suffer from infertility at some point in their lives, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report recently launched in the Swiss city of Geneva, which also calls on governments to expand access to treatment and remove the stigma that couples are untenable. if for some reason they are unable to conceive.

I read the news and immediately think about our reality. We know that there are couples who, for one reason or another, have not been able to hug their offspring, and we have asked ourselves many times if there could be tears and anguish associated with the uncertainty of whether the method is successful or not? avoided one or the other.

In a WHO report, its director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that infertility is not discriminatory, as both men and women of any social status can suffer from it, with a consequent negative impact on mental and psychosocial well-being. And this phenomenon points to significant gaps, since the cost of treatment is high and in many cases unsuccessful.

In Cuba, where the Infertile Couples Assistance Program is part of the National Health System, in accordance with the principle of its free and accessible nature, the necessary medical care is provided, but it is not exempt from restrictions in terms of costs and resources, taking into account the restrictions imposed by the US government on blockade of our country.

It remains then to prevent, and yes it can. Infertility can be prevented if it is the result of untreated sexually transmitted infections or the risks associated with abortion used as a method of terminating an unwanted pregnancy, even if it is a safe procedure in the country.

Even, as shown by numerous studies, when obesity is a factor influencing insufficient sperm production and ovulation, and diabetes mellitus, which also affects this condition, such as smoking, the use of very tight trousers, contributing to forms of heat exposure to the testicles in men, such like excessive cycling, motorcycles and horseback riding.

If we can prevent, avoid the existence of factors that lead to the impossibility of having children, then why not do this? It is still inexplicable that adolescents request an abortion more than once through menstrual regulation or curettage when other methods can be used. When time passes and it becomes difficult for you to conceive a child, it will be too late.

And before you blurt out: “But you can hardly find condoms or birth control pills in Cuban pharmacies! same situation in clinics and hospitals?I say yes with full confidence, because I was there, interviewed them and tried to understand why they came to this.

I urge families to speak openly and understandingly about these issues… The least important statistics that the WHO releases tomorrow, but rather those that you will not have later.

Source: Juventud Rebelde