Data shows up to 20 percent of couples face unexplained infertility, where science has not identified a clear cause, prompting Zimbabwean medical experts to launch a study exploring potential genetic links to infertility.

While science has established that factors such as poor sperm quality, low sperm count, uterine abnormalities in women, fibroids, and other conditions contribute to infertility in both men and women, there remains a group of couples whose condition cannot be explained.

In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Mugove General Madziyire said the study is being conducted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and is expected to be completed within the next two years.

“What we do know is that up to 20 percent of couples have what we call unexplained infertility. We cannot find the real cause even after several tests on both partners. We now suspect there could be a genetic link. We are currently conducting a study in Zimbabwe and other countries focusing on genetic associations of infertility,” said Dr Madziyire.

Fertility data shows that up to 15 percent of couples struggle to conceive, meaning that out of every 100 couples, about 15 may experience fertility challenges. Data also shows that infertility causes are equally distributed between males and females, meaning both partners contribute in similar proportions.

He invited couples who have never had a child and are willing to participate to come forward.

“The study is being conducted at Parirenyatwa Hospital, where we will assess whether there are genetic factors we can identify within our population.”

He also said some infertility cases are linked to compatibility issues, where a couple might not conceive together but may have children with different partners, although these cases are rare.

“There is also an element we cannot fully explain, including cases of incompatibility, where couples fail to conceive together but later have children with different partners, although this remains a very small factor,” he said.

He urged couples not to engage in risky sexual behaviour in attempts to test fertility outside relationships, as this may increase exposure to infections that affect reproductive health.

“People must fall in love first and then marry. They must not test their fertility. Once you find yourself in your situation, you just have to accept and deal with it.”

Science also shows that sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea cause infertility through inflammation and scarring in the reproductive tract when left untreated. In women, they may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, blocking fallopian tubes and preventing egg transport, while in men they may cause epididymitis, reducing sperm quality or blocking ducts.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to experience high STI burdens, historically linked to infertility rates exceeding 40 percent in some areas. In Zimbabwe, STI cases rose 15 percent from 2021 to 2022, with more than 36,000 reported genital ulcer cases, and high prevalence among young people, increasing reproductive health risks.

Globally, in 2021, about 18.41 million women aged 15 to 49 experienced STI-related infertility, up from 10.71 million in 1990, equating to 455 cases per 100,000 women. Projections suggest a gradual decline by 2035 with improved interventions.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is expanding fertility services to provincial hospitals to reduce the financial burden associated with accessing infertility treatment. 

Fertility clinics have been established at Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, while United Bulawayo Hospitals is setting up its own unit, and Mpilo Central Hospital is developing similar services.

Authorities say the expansion aims to improve access, reduce delays in diagnosis, and strengthen reproductive health outcomes across the country.