INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Smoking/tobacco chewing stands as another lifestyle choice with major implications for reproductive health, Dr Murdia highlighted4 min read
Last Updated : Sep 22 2024 | 2:51 PM IST
Infertility is not just a medical condition but a crisis fuelled by lifestyle choices, with
infertility rates soaring particularly in lower-income groups and tier 2 and 3 cities where access to healthcare is limited, a top IVF
specialist said.
Dr Ajay Murdia, the man behind one of India's largest fertility chain, Indira IVF, said while advancements in assisted
reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) offer hope, it is a reality that the underprivileged who are hit
hard.
"Infertility rates are soaring, particularly in lower-income and tier 2 and 3 cities, where access to healthcare, nutrition, and
crisis fuelled by lifestyle choices that hit the underprivileged hardest
Without action, even advancements like IVF will remain out of reach for many," he 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 recognised as significant contributors to infertility.
These issues go beyond personal health; they represent barriers to
conception that have a more pronounced impact on those with fewer means, Dr Murdia stated.
"Lifestyle choices in economically weaker
sections, compounded by limited access to quality healthcare, are emerging as a central factor in the fertility crisis
The habits we often overlook, particularly in less affluent areas, are now influencing the capacity to conceive," he noted.
The scope of
this crisis becomes evident when examining the startling 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 dramatically raises the risk of
infertility.
Obese women are three times more likely to struggle with infertility compared to those maintaining a healthy weight, while
for men, every additional 9 kg beyond their ideal weight raises their risk of infertility by 10 per cent.
These trends are often
exacerbated in less affluent areas, where healthcare support and lifestyle interventions are scarce, he said.
Smoking/tobacco chewing
stands as another lifestyle choice with major implications for reproductive health, Dr Murdia highlighted.
Studies show that female
smokers have a 54 percent higher chance of delayed conception over a year compared to non-smokers, and men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes
a day experience a 19 percent decline in sperm concentration, he said.
This not only reduces the chances of natural conception but also
complicates assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF where smokers may require nearly 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
severe impact of smoking on fertility and the necessity of public health strategies to address this issue.
"Late marriages and delayed
family planning in tier 2 and 3 cities add to the fertility crisis
While technology helps, the natural decline in fertility with age poses challenges many are unprepared for," Dr Murdia said.
The
consequences of these lifestyle factors in lower-income communities extend beyond physical health, he said adding infertility can place an
enormous emotional and psychological burden on individuals and families, leading to anxiety, depression, and strained relationships.
This
burden is often magnified for those in underprivileged areas, where social stigma around infertility is more pronounced and mental health
support is limited, he highlighted.
Addressing this growing fertility crisis requires a comprehensive approach that integrates medical
advancements with proactive lifestyle changes and targeted support for underprivileged communities.
Dr Murdia advocated increased
awareness and education, particularly in tier 2 and 3 cities, stating, "By making informed lifestyle choices and enhancing access to
affordable healthcare, we can create a more supportive environment for natural conception, especially for those who need it most".
"It is
crucial to act now to ensure that dreams of aspiring parents are not dictated by their economic or social status.The urgency to address
lifestyle factors, particularly among the poor and underprivileged, cannot be overstated
Ensuring a hopeful future for all aspiring parents, regardless of their economic standing, begins with the choices we make to support and
promote reproductive health in every community," he said.(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the
Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)First Published: Sep 22 2024 | 2:51 PMIST
