For many couples across Africa, infertility remains one of the most painful and least discussed health challenges. Behind the silence, however, are specialists working daily to help families find answers and hope.
In a recent interview on Just4WomenAfrica, fertility advocate and clinical embryologist Diane Amedo opened up about the realities of fertility treatment, the science behind IVF, and why more women need to understand their reproductive health earlier in life.
A Passion for the Beginning of Human Life
Diane Amedo explained that her journey into embryology began with a lifelong curiosity about biology and the origins of human life. Her interest eventually led her into reproductive science, where she now works directly with eggs, sperm, and embryos in fertility clinics.
She also revealed that infertility stigma within African societies motivated her even more to pursue the field.
According to her, many couples suffer silently because fertility struggles are often treated as a taboo subject rather than a medical condition.
What Does an Embryologist Actually Do?
Many people hear the word “embryologist” for the first time during fertility treatment. Diane broke the role down in simple terms.
A clinical embryologist works in fertility clinics alongside gynecologists and fertility specialists. Their work involves handling reproductive cells sperm, eggs, and embryos during assisted reproductive procedures such as IVF.
She described embryologists as the “first babysitters” of embryos created in the lab.
Inside the IVF laboratory, specialists recreate conditions similar to the human womb using carefully controlled temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels. Embryos are monitored closely to determine their quality and readiness for transfer or freezing.
The Biological Clock Is Real
One of the strongest points Diane emphasized was the reality of the biological clock.
She explained that both men and women experience declining reproductive cell quality with age, especially after the late 30s and early 40s. According to her, exposure to pollution, processed foods, plastics, chemicals, and environmental toxins may also contribute to reduced fertility.
For women considering egg freezing, she advised that the best outcomes usually happen when eggs are frozen earlier, ideally in the late 20s or early 30s.
Interestingly, she noted that newer research also suggests advancing male age can affect sperm quality and chromosome integrity.
Fertility Challenges Are Increasing in Ghana
Although Ghana lacks comprehensive fertility data, Diane noted that fertility clinics across the country are seeing a major increase in patients.
She explained that infertility rates globally have shifted from roughly one in eight couples to one in six couples.
Years ago, Ghana reportedly had only a handful of IVF clinics. Today, dozens of fertility centers operate across cities like Accra and Kumasi, highlighting growing demand for reproductive healthcare services.
Still, stigma remains a major barrier.
According to Diane, many couples first spend years seeking spiritual or herbal solutions before eventually visiting fertility specialists often after valuable reproductive time has already passed.
Why IVF Does Not Always Work
Diane explained that IVF is complex and cannot guarantee pregnancy.
Success depends on several factors including:
- Egg quality
- Sperm quality
- Maternal age
- Embryo health
- Whether the womb is receptive
- Underlying medical conditions
She stressed that IVF is often a “numbers game.” A woman may produce many eggs, but only a smaller number may mature properly or develop into healthy embryos.
While some clinics advertise extremely high success rates, Diane cautioned that outcomes often depend heavily on the age and condition of the patients being treated.
Concerns About Herbal Medicine
One of the most striking moments in the interview came when Diane discussed herbal medicine and fertility.
While she acknowledged that some herbal products may contain beneficial antioxidants and nutrients, she warned that many herbal treatments are not properly researched or clinically tested.
She recalled a patient whose egg cells had an unusually hard outer covering during an IVF procedure. After asking questions about lifestyle and exposure, Diane discovered the woman had been taking large amounts of herbal supplements.
Although she could not conclusively prove the cause, she raised concerns about how unregulated herbal products may affect egg quality and reproductive cells.
Her advice was clear: couples should consult qualified fertility clinicians before taking fertility supplements or herbal products.
Lack of Reproductive Health Education
Diane also expressed concern about reproductive health awareness in Africa.
She believes many women are not properly educated about:
- Menstrual cycles
- Ovulation
- Fertility windows
- Hormonal imbalances
- Symptoms of conditions like endometriosis or fibroids
According to her, many women normalize severe menstrual pain or irregular cycles without realizing these could be signs of underlying reproductive issues.
To help address this, Diane and her husband who is also a fertility doctor started an educational initiative focused on simplifying fertility science for the public.
Technology Is Changing Fertility Treatment
Modern fertility medicine is advancing rapidly.
Diane discussed technologies such as:
- Embryo freezing
- Genetic testing
- Chromosome screening
- Sex selection
- Embryo biopsy
Through genetic testing, specialists can sometimes identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities before transfer, improving the chances of successful pregnancy outcomes.
She also spoke about emerging gene-related technologies that may eventually help prevent certain inherited diseases.
The Emotional Reward of Her Work
Despite the long hours and demanding nature of fertility medicine, Diane says the most rewarding part of her job is seeing babies born after successful treatment.
For her, watching a couple return with their newborn after years of infertility struggles is deeply fulfilling.
She described the experience as being part of a family’s hope story.
Her Message to Women Struggling With Infertility
Diane ended the interview with a powerful message to women across Africa:
“You are not alone. There is help and there is hope.”
She encouraged women not to delay seeking medical support and reminded viewers that infertility is a medical condition not something to be ashamed of.
While she strongly believes in faith and prayer, she also emphasized the importance of combining faith with medical action and professional care.
As conversations around fertility continue to grow across Africa, voices like Diane Amedo’s are helping break stigma, spread awareness, and give hope to thousands of women and couples searching for answers.
