Dr. Murdia highlighted that smoking or chewing tobacco is another lifestyle choice with important implications for reproductive health.
Infertility is not just a medical condition but a crisis fuelled by lifestyle choices, with infertility rates soaring particularly in lower income groups and in second- and third-tier cities where access to healthcare is limited, a leading IVF specialist said.
Dr Ajay Murdia, the man behind one of India’s largest fertility chains, Indira IVF, said that while advances in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) offer hope, it is a reality that the underprivileged are the worst affected.
“Infertility rates are increasing, particularly in low-income and tier 2 and tier 3 cities where access to healthcare, nutrition and education is limited,” Dr Murdia, founder and chairman of Indira IVF, told PTI.
“Infertility is no longer just a medical issue; it is a crisis fueled by lifestyle choices that hit the less privileged hardest. Without action, even advances like IVF will remain out of reach for many,” she said.
Lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, smoking and chronic stress, which are often exacerbated in marginalized communities due to lack of resources and awareness, are increasingly recognized as important contributors to infertility.
These issues go beyond personal health; they represent barriers to conception that have a more pronounced impact on those with fewer resources, said Dr. Murdia.
“Lifestyle choices in economically weaker sections, compounded by limited access to quality healthcare, are emerging as a central factor in the fertility crisis. Habits that we often overlook, particularly in less prosperous areas, are now influencing the ability to conceive,” she said.
The extent of this crisis becomes clear when examining the alarming statistics on obesity and its impact on fertility.
The World Health Organization reports that one in eight people in the world is classified as obese, a condition that dramatically increases the risk of infertility.
Obese women are three times more likely to suffer from infertility than those who maintain a healthy weight, while for men, every additional 9kg above their ideal weight increases their risk of infertility by 10 per cent.
These trends are often exacerbated in less affluent areas, where health support and lifestyle interventions are scarce, he said.
Dr. Murdia highlighted that smoking or chewing tobacco is another lifestyle choice that has important implications for reproductive health.
Studies show that female smokers are 54 percent more likely to delay conception by a year compared to nonsmokers, and men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day experience a 19 percent decrease in sperm concentration, she said.
This not only reduces the chances of natural conception but also complicates assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF, where smokers may need almost twice as many cycles to achieve pregnancy, he said.
These findings, published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the National Library of Medicine, underscore the serious impact of smoking on fertility and the need for public health strategies to address this problem.
“Late marriages and delayed family planning in second- and third-tier cities contribute to the fertility crisis. While technology helps, the natural decline in fertility with age poses challenges that many people are not prepared for,” said Dr Murdia.
The consequences of these lifestyle factors in low-income communities extend beyond physical health, she said, adding that infertility can place a huge emotional and psychological burden on individuals and families, leading to anxiety, depression and strained relationships.
This burden is often magnified for those living in disadvantaged areas, where social stigma around infertility is more pronounced and mental health support is limited, she noted.
Addressing this growing fertility crisis requires a comprehensive approach that integrates medical advances with proactive lifestyle changes and targeted support for disadvantaged communities.
Dr Murdia called for increased awareness and education, particularly in second- and third-tier cities, saying that “by making informed lifestyle choices and improving access to affordable healthcare, we can create a more supportive environment for natural conception, especially for those who need it most.”
“It is critical to act now to ensure that the dreams of prospective parents are not determined by their economic or social status. The urgency of addressing lifestyle factors, particularly among the poor and disadvantaged, cannot be overstated. Ensuring a hopeful future for all prospective parents, regardless of their economic status, begins with the choices we make to support and promote reproductive health in all communities,” she said.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: September 22, 2024 | 14:51 IS
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