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Infertility is on the rise in India and current data has revealed that 27.5 million couples actively wanting to have a child are suffering from infertility; It is affecting both men and women equally while at least 10-15 percent of married couples are facing fertility problems at some point or the other. 1 in 2 Millennials are delaying family and think they can conceive later, but 54% of those who delay pregnancy face problems conceiving in their 30s.
Understanding Fertility and Family Planning
Understanding fertility and the factors that influence it is important in making informed decisions about when to start a family. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rajeev Aggarwal, IVF expert and medical director, Renew Healthcare, explained, “Fertility refers to a person’s ability to conceive and maintain the pregnancy to full term. While some couples can conceive easily, others may face challenges along the way. Factors that affect fertility include age, underlying health conditions, lifestyle choices, and genetics. It is important to remember that both men and women contribute to fertility, so seeking professional help should not be limited to just one partner. By understanding fertility and its complexities, you can better proceed with your family planning journey.
He elaborated, “There are many reproductive problems that can affect both men and women. For women, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and blocked fallopian tubes can contribute to fertility challenges. Symptoms of these conditions may include irregular menstruation, pelvic pain, and hormonal imbalance. In men, low sperm count, poor sperm motility and structural abnormalities can affect fertility. Symptoms of male fertility problems may include difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, pain or swelling in the testicles, or abnormalities in semen analysis results. It is important to note that some individuals may not experience any obvious symptoms, making regular checkups with a fertility specialist even more important.
Dr. Rajeev Aggarwal emphasizes, “Seeking help from a fertility specialist as early as possible increases your chances of successful conception and pregnancy. By identifying and addressing any underlying problems early, you can explore a variety of treatment options tailored to your specific needs. Delaying seeking help can not only make the journey to parenthood longer, but may also reduce the effectiveness of some treatments.
Bringing in her expertise, Dr. Shweta Gupta, Director of Infertility and IVF at Max Multi Specialty Center in Panchsheel Park, said, “Infertility can affect both men and women, even though women are often blamed for it . The causes are many, about 40% are due to male factors, 40% are due to female factors, the rest of the cases are due to unknown or combined factors. In women, physical factors such as increasing age can reduce egg reserves; hormonal imbalance can affect egg release. Gynecological problems such as polycystic ovarian disease, endometriosis and congenital malformations may be associated with infertility in women. Endocrine problems like diabetes, thyroid or prolactin are common in India which can affect ovulation or egg release.
According to him, “Sexually transmitted diseases can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal blockage and infertility. Infections such as tuberculosis are widespread in some areas of India, which can block the tubes, reduce ovarian reserve and make the uterus unproductive. In men, it may reduce semen quality, quantity, and overall fertility. Lifestyle may be associated with abnormal weight gain, which may reduce fertility. Women with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2 have been shown to have significantly reduced fertility. Excessive consumption of caffeine, smoking, alcohol is associated with reduced fertility. Diet, environment, pollution, occupation can also influence health and reproductive outcomes in particular.
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