Lifestyle, pollution, stress: Doctors tell why infertility is on the rise
Infertility is on the rise across the world due to various factors including lifestyle and health issues. Experts emphasise the need for government intervention and insurance coverage for IVF to make the treatment more accessible in India.
Infertility has become a common problem for people around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined by the inability to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
There are many causes of infertility, which can be both male and female. Some causes can be prevented.
“Infertility is high because people are becoming more aware now. We were earlier taught that 30% of infertility is due to the female reproductive system, 30% is due to the male and 30-40% is due to both. Now, male infertility has gone up to over 50%,” Dr KD Nair, chief consultant and HOD, Akanksha IVF Centre, told IndiaToday.in.
Dr Navin Nischal, Chairman and Founder, Voice of Healthcare, said at the National IVF Summit and Awards 2024 event that the rise in infertility is due to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits.
Dr Nischal said, “The increase in infertility is due to our sedentary lifestyle, stress, pollution, unhealthy habits, delayed parenthood and many more.”
Dr Bindu Bajaj, professor and head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Safdarjung Hospital, said infertility should be given priority by the government, especially after the National Family Health Survey-5 revealed that Sikkim has the lowest total fertility rate (TFR).
Doctors also highlighted the rising health issues such as endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), male factor and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that have become the cause of infertility.
Due to the increasing problem of infertility among couples, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a major treatment option.
However, since IVF is expensive, it is not available to most people in India.
Speaking at the event, Dr Shweta Mittal Gupta, General Secretary, Indian Fertility Society, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, emphasised that IVF should be brought under the insurance coverage to make it acceptable, accessible and affordable for couples suffering from infertility.
