Infertility is not just a medical condition but an epidemic fueled by lifestyle choices, and infertility rates are particularly high in low-income groups and in 2 and 3 cities where poor access to health care, said a top IVF expert.
Dr. Ajay Murdia, the man behind one of India’s largest fertility companies, Indira IVF, said that even with advances in fertility technologies such as In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) offers hope, it is true that the victims are hit hard.
“Infertility rates are rising, especially in low income and 2nd and 3rd income communities, where access to health, nutrition and education is limited,” Dr Murdia, founder and chairman of Indira IVF, he told PTI.
“Infertility is no longer just a medical issue; it is a crisis driven by lifestyle choices that hits the poorest hardest. Without action, even advances like IVF will remains out of reach for many,” he said.
Health conditions such as obesity, poor diet, smoking and chronic stress, which are often exacerbated in marginalized communities due to a lack of resources and awareness, are increasingly recognized as major contributors to infertile.
These issues go beyond personal health; they represent barriers to conception that have a clear impact on those with limited means, Dr. Murdia said.
“Lifestyle choices in the economically weaker sections, combined with limited access to health care, are emerging as a major cause of fertility problems. Habits that we tend to ignore, especially- hall in very few places, now they influence the ability to get pregnant,” he noted. .
The extent of this crisis is evident when examining the staggering statistics surrounding obesity and its impact on fertility.
The World Health Organization reports that one in eight people worldwide is classified as obese, a condition that poses a high risk of infertility.
Obese women are three times more likely to struggle with infertility compared to those who maintain a healthy weight, while for men, every 9 kilograms of excess weight their good ones raise the risk of infertility by 10 percent.
These trends are often exacerbated in less affluent areas, where health care support and lifestyle options are lacking, he said.
Smoking/chewing tobacco is another lifestyle choice that has major implications for reproductive health, Dr. Murdia emphasized.
Studies show that women who smoke have a 54 percent higher chance of having a miscarriage for more than a year compared to non-smokers, and men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day have a 50 percent lower risk. 19 percent of sperm.
He said this not only reduces the chances of natural conception but also complicates reproductive technologies, such as IVF where smokers may take almost twice as long to conceive. than pregnancy.
These findings, published by the American Association of Infectious Medicine and the National Library of Medicine, highlight the strong impact of smoking on fertility and the need for public health measures to address this problem.
“Later marriages and delayed family planning in the 2nd and 3rd cities increase the problem of having children. Although technology helps, the natural decrease in fertility with age causes many problems that are not get ready,” Dr Murdia said.
The consequences of these lifestyles in low-income communities go beyond physical health, she said, adding that infertility can place a huge emotional and psychological burden on individuals and families. , which leads to anxiety, depression and damaged relationships.
This burden is often lifted for those in poorer areas, where the social stigma around infertility is more pronounced and mental health support is poor, he emphasized.
Addressing this growing reproductive crisis requires a comprehensive approach that combines medical advances with rapid lifestyle changes and targeted support for communities in need.
Dr. Murdia advocated for more awareness and education, especially in cities 2 and 3, saying, “By making better health decisions and improving access to affordable health care, we I can create an environment that supports natural conception, especially for those who need it the most.” .
“It is important to act now to ensure that the dreams of people who want to become parents are not limited by their economic or social status. It is urgent to address the living conditions, especially among the poor and disadvantaged , cannot be overstated. Ensuring a hopeful future for all hopeful parents, regardless of their economic status, starts with the choices we make to support and promote good health. they give birth in every community,” he said.
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First Published: Sep 22 2024 | 2:51 PM IS
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