By Francesca Hangeior

Experts in the field of urology and cardiology have identified uncontrolled hypertension and heart disease as the commonest causes of sudden death during sexual intercourse.

The physicians advised people with these conditions not to engage in sexual activities until they receive appropriate treatment and are certified fit for strenuous activities such as sex by experts.

One of the experts, a Consultant Urologist, Dr. Gabriel Ogah, said people with hypertension and heart disease should control them before engaging in sexual activities.

Ogah said because sex is a strenuous exercise, people must be medically fit to engage in the exercise.

The urologist who is the Managing Director, Ogah Hospital and Urology Centre, Fugar, Edo State, said young people rarely die during sex because they are fit for it.

Giving further insight into the issue, the senior medical practitioner said, “If you have hypertension, make sure you control it before you have sex. If you have heart disease, make sure you control it before you have sex. Because sex is a strenuous exercise, if people are not medically fit for it, especially if they have heart disease, they could die during the exercise. That is why people die during sex.

“You do an exercise that you do not have the power to do and because sex is sweet and intoxicating, he continues the exercise until the person gives up.

“People die during sex because they are not medically fit for the exercise and commonly, their main problem is that they have cardiac disease and people with cardiac disease are not supposed to engage in very strenuous exercise.

“And because sex is a strenuous exercise, it is an intoxicating exercise, it is a sweet exercise, so they don’t stop doing it until the exercise kills them.”

The physician reiterated that the commonest cause of death during sexual intercourse was a heart disease that was left untreated.

Ogah noted, “And when we talk about heart disease, hypertension is one of them.

“The blood pressure could go up during the exercise and you now have sudden death. High blood pressure that is not controlled and has not caused heart disease yet, can kill someone during sex because sex can make the blood pressure go up suddenly.”

He advised people to avoid using sex-enhancing drugs not medically prescribed.

“Don’t take sex-enhancing drugs which are not medically prescribed. Don’t take any sex-enhancing drugs without a doctor’s prescription”, he counseled.

Mayo Clinic says high blood pressure could impact sexual activity negatively especially in men, stressing that a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems has been proved in men.

“Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of the blood vessels and causes arteries to harden and narrow (atherosclerosis), limiting blood flow. This means that less blood flows to the penis.

“For some men, the decreased blood flow makes it difficult to achieve and maintain erections. This problem is called erectile dysfunction. It’s fairly common.

“Even a single episode of erectile dysfunction can cause anxiety. Fears that it will happen again might lead men to avoid sex, which can affect their relationship with their sexual partners.

“High blood pressure can also interfere with ejaculation and reduce sexual desire. Some blood pressure medications may cause similar effects.

“Men should discuss any concerns with their doctors”, the clinic said.

Data from the American Heart Association says considerable apprehension often surrounds the issue of sudden cardiovascular arrest during physical activity, especially that related to sexual intercourse.

The association states that cardiovascular effects during coitus have been studied by monitoring volunteers.

“Hemodynamic changes, including increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, have been identified, especially during orgasm.

“The increased cerebral perfusion pressure when intracranial pressure decreases abruptly during orgasm results in maximal wall tension in cerebral aneurysms, which could explain the higher proportion of subarachnoid hemorrhage”, it noted.

A heart specialist, Dr. John Asekhame, told our correspondent that most cases of sudden slump were linked to undiagnosed and untreated cases of cardiac and non-cardiac health conditions.

Asekhame, a Consultant Physician and Cardiologist with Providence Multi-Specialty Hospital, Abuja, said, uncontrolled blood pressure, malaria, low blood sugar, and excessive dehydration can cause a person to suddenly slump.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a normal blood pressure range is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Uncontrolled blood pressure, according to Asekhame, can cause health problems like stroke and cardiac complications at any time without giving a sign.

The cardiologist urged Nigerians to embrace the culture of going to pharmacies and hospitals to check their blood pressure and get proper treatment if it is high.

By Francesca Hangeior

Medical practitioners in the field of urology have advised men to take their sexual health seriously by seeking medical evaluation if they are not experiencing morning erection, a common and natural occurrence in healthy men.

The urologists stated that men experiencing persistent erectile issues or concerns should consult a healthcare professional for personalised evaluation and guidance.

The physicians advised men not having morning erections to carry out a comprehensive health assessment, including hormone testing, semen analysis, and lifestyle evaluations, to determine the underlying causes which may be erectile dysfunction or infertility.

According to Healthline, morning erections, a natural occurrence in most men, are often seen as a sign of healthy sexual function. They are typically caused by increased blood flow and hormonal fluctuations during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep.

The health website, however, noted that a notable number of men have reported experiencing a lack of morning erections, raising concerns about potential fertility or sexual health problems.

While some experts suggested that the absence of morning erection could be linked to underlying health issues, including infertility, others argued that it is not a reliable indicator of reproductive health.

A consultant urologist, Dr Emmanuel Eze stated that the body’s ability to have regular morning erections may be a reflection of broader reproductive health.

The physician stressed that the absence of morning erections could signal problems with hormone levels, such as low testosterone, or vascular health, which could affect overall erectile function and, in some cases, fertility.

Eze emphasised that morning erection is a natural occurrence during the REM sleep stage, typically happening 3-5 times per night.

The physician explained that the absence of morning erections could suggest issues such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone levels, or underlying cardiovascular conditions.

According to him, it is normal for men to experience morning erections three to five times each night. These erections are typically spontaneous and occur without sexual arousal. The process is part of the body’s natural hormonal fluctuations and is linked to the functioning of the nervous system and blood flow.

Eze explained that these spontaneous erections during sleep are crucial in maintaining healthy erectile function and, by extension, overall reproductive health.

He emphasised that they are a natural and healthy sign of the body’s ability to achieve and maintain erections, which are important for male fertility.

“While occasional changes in morning erections are normal as men age, a persistent lack of them could point to potential health problems such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, or even more serious conditions like heart disease. Men mustn’t ignore these early warning signs.

“A comprehensive evaluation can help pinpoint the cause and allow for timely treatment options, whether it’s lifestyle changes, therapy, or medications,” Eze added.

Speaking further, the urologist elaborated that the absence of morning erections could be an indication of various medical conditions that might impact sexual and reproductive health.

“Erectile dysfunction is often the result of an imbalance in the body’s ability to deliver blood to the penis. If morning erections are absent, it could be a reflection of poor blood flow or nerve function, which are key contributors to erectile dysfunction,” Eze explained.

In addition to erectile dysfunction, the male reproductive expert noted that the absence of morning erections may also be linked to low testosterone levels.

He added, “Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, essential for sexual function, mood regulation, and the production of sperm. A decline in testosterone can lead to a reduced frequency of morning erections. It can also cause a range of other symptoms, such as fatigue, decreased libido, and loss of muscle mass. While a decrease in testosterone levels is a natural part of aging, significant drops in testosterone could signal more serious health concerns.”

Eze also underscored the connection between erectile function and male fertility, stressing that problems with achieving or maintaining an erection could affect a man’s ability to conceive.

He explained that erectile function plays a critical role in sperm delivery, and when erectile issues arise, they could make it more difficult to engage in regular sexual activity, which could impact fertility.

“There is a direct connection between erectile function and male fertility. If a man is consistently not experiencing morning erections, it could indicate that there’s an issue with his reproductive system, whether it’s a problem with his hormones, blood vessels, or nerve function,” he said.

He pointed out that while the absence of morning erections does not automatically equate to infertility, it could signal underlying problems that should be addressed.

Eze advised that men who notice a persistent absence of morning erections should consult a urologist for an evaluation of their reproductive and sexual health.

He explained that poor blood circulation, which is often associated with heart disease or high blood pressure, can directly affect the ability to achieve erections.

“The vessels that supply blood to the penis are small and delicate, and when these vessels are compromised due to poor cardiovascular health, it can result in a decreased ability to have spontaneous erections.

“Erectile dysfunction is frequently one of the early signs of cardiovascular problems. If a man is not having morning erections, it could be a sign that his vascular health is not in optimal condition. It’s essential to recognise this as a potential red flag and seek medical advice before the issue becomes more severe,” the urologist warned.

However, a Senior Registrar in Urology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Akpo Edewor, argued that the lack of a morning erection is not necessarily an indication of serious health concerns, as many people assume.

Edewor emphasised that the absence of morning erections is not an automatic sign of erectile dysfunction or serious sexual health problems.

He explained, “Morning erections should not be viewed as the definitive measure of sexual health. It is important to understand that men can still maintain erectile function despite not having morning erections. This does not immediately indicate erectile dysfunction.”

The urologist stressed that various factors, such as sleep patterns, stress, or even the time a man wakes up, can influence whether or not he experiences a morning erection.

He further clarified that a key component in assessing erectile health is the ability to achieve an erection in response to sexual stimuli.

“If a man can still attain an erection when engaging with a partner, even without morning erections, this indicates that his erectile function is likely intact,” he stated.

Erectile dysfunction, according to Edewor, is more complex than just the absence of morning erections. It is a condition where a man consistently struggles to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

The physician said various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even the medications used to treat these conditions, could contribute to erectile dysfunction.

He added, “Erectile dysfunction is often linked to vascular health and blood flow. The ability to achieve an erection relies heavily on the circulation of blood to the penis. If the arteries or veins are compromised due to factors like heart disease or diabetes, this can lead to erectile dysfunction. But again, this is distinct from the absence of morning erections.”

He stressed that when men experience difficulties with erections, particularly if the issue persists over time, it is important to consider underlying health conditions, rather than simply focusing on the lack of morning erections.

The United Nations Children’s Fund has disclosed that no fewer than 3.8 million children would be vaccinated against measles across four Northern states.

The UNICEF Health Officer in Bauchi state, Patrick Ako, disclosed this in a news conference on Friday, noting that the vaccination exercise would commence on Saturday and run for seven days.

He highlighted that the four Northern states where the integrated measles campaign would take place include Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and Plateau.

“For the measles campaign, we have a target of 3.8 million children from nine months to 59 months, which we are targeting across the four states.

“We have received in all the states a total of over 4 million doses of measles vaccines which have been supplied across the four states,” Ako stated.

The Health Officer explained that UNICEF is also going to launch an oral vaccination campaign against polio across five Northern states.

He said, “For the oral polio vaccination, we have a target of 6.8 million children that we are going to reach from zero to 59 months, which is less than five years across five states of Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe,e, and Adamawa.

“The total number of vaccines that have already gotten to them is 7.4 million doses across these five states.

“We are looking at it that no child should be left behind; all children of an eligible age group should be reached and be vaccinated.”

Also speaking, a Social Behavioural Change Specialist at UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, George Eki, said it became imperative for UNICEF to support the Nigerian government in protecting children against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.