Every year in June, World Infertility Awareness Month is observed under World Health Organization. A public health concern worldwide- infertility-for which awareness can be raised which will assist more couples realise they are not alone on their path to begin or expand their family and especially if there is a struggle happening to do so..
Furthermore, a lot of people suffering with infertility worldwide might not be aware that they have aid at hand. Any couple hoping for children must first find information, resources, and education.
If we follow some facts and figures provided by the WHO, then we can consider these facts.
- Millions of individuals are affected by infertility, which in turn has consequences for their families and communities. Approximately 16.7% of individuals of reproductive age worldwide are estimated to have infertility at some point in their lives.
- Infertility in the male reproductive system is primarily attributed to issues with semen ejaculation, insufficient or absent sperm count, or abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility.
- Infertility is a significant global health problem, impacting around 8%–10% of couples globally.
- Out of the total number of infertile couples worldwide, which ranges from 60 to 80 million annually, it is estimated that approximately 15 to 20 million couples (25%) are located in India alone.
- Infertility affects 25% of couples in poor nations, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Why addressing infertility is important?
Individuals from diverse backgrounds, individuals with problems in ovarian reserve, semen quantity and quality, those who are not in sexual relationships, and individuals with specific medical conditions such as HIV sero-discordant couples and cancer survivors, may need assistance with managing infertility and accessing fertility care services.
What factors contribute to infertility?
Infertility cases have been on the rise globally, and this trend can be attributed to several factors:
1. Lifestyle Changes: Modern living sometimes entails mismanaged food habits, more stress, less exercise, and more environmental pollutants’ exposure. Reproductive health can suffer from these elements.
2. Delayed Parenthood: For personal tastes, financial stability, or career goals, more people and couples are deciding to have children later in life. Particularly for women, but also to some degree for men, fertility naturally falls with age.
3. Environmental Factors: Dr Puneet Rana Says, Fertility can be negatively impacted by increasing exposure to toxins, chemicals, and endocrine-disrupting compounds like pesticides, plastics, and industrial chemicals. These drugs can mess with systems related to hormones and reproduction.
4. Health Issues: Infertility is associated with rising incidence of health issues including obesity, diabetes, thyroid problems, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). These disorders can compromise reproductive ability and hormonal balance.
5. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Untreated STIs such gonorrhoea and chlamydia can harm the reproductive organs, which causes infertility.
6. Genetic Factors: Furthermore, contributing to infertility may be genetic predispositions. Several hereditary disorders can compromise fertility and reproductive health.
7. Advancements in Diagnostic Techniques: Advancements in diagnostic procedures have enhanced the accuracy and availability of identifying and documenting cases of infertility. Previously undetected conditions are increasingly being recognised and addressed.
8. Socioeconomic Factors: Higher infertility rates can be attributed to economic constraints and limited access to effective treatment in certain places. Reproductive health can be affected by stress and lifestyle modifications resulting from economic demands.
9. Diet and Nutrition: Inadequate dietary choices and nutrition, particularly excessive intake of processed foods, can have a detrimental impact on both general well-being and reproductive capacity. Insufficient intake of essential nutrients might result in disruptions in hormone levels and complications in reproductive functions.
10. Medical Treatments and Interventions : Specific medical interventions, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy used to treat cancer, have the potential to negatively affect reproductive ability. Furthermore, several drugs used to treat chronic conditions may have adverse consequences on reproductive health.
11. Male stigma Factor: While stigma itself does not directly cause infertility, but it can have significant indirect effects that exacerbate or perpetuate infertility issues in men.
Dr. Puneet Rana Arora, leading IVF expert in Gurgaon at the CIFAR Infertility Centre, says many men, they may feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss fertility issues, leading to delays in seeking medical advice and diagnosis. In many such cases, stigma can lead to denial of the problem, preventing men from acknowledging the issue and taking the necessary steps to address it.
Additionally, some cultural factors, such as the close relationship between male virility and masculinity, can lead to stigma, creating cultural barriers that discourage open discussion and treatment of infertility.
What does Dr Puneet Rana advise you?
At Last, Dr. Puneet Rana says that addressing infertility often requires a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, medical treatments, and, in some cases, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Awareness and education about the factors contributing to infertility can help individuals and couples make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Source : https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility
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