Infertility: Growing Infertility in Some Regions and Sections of India, One of the Toughest Challenges

Chennai /New Delhi : WHO suggests that worldwide, about 8-12 per cent of couples suffer from infertility, and its incidence rate varies worldwide. Despite increasing access to infertility treatment services and specialists, dealing with infertility is one of the toughest challenges that women across India face. The infertility issue is serious yet neglected, and it is frequently overlooked in public health discussions, which may cause a huge adverse impact on people’s reproductive and productive life in the long-term,” said Dr Naresh Purohit Advisor for National Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH) .
Delivering a key address titled “Infertility Surge In Modern Women ” at a seminar organised by the Chennai based
Institute of Reproductive Medicine And Women’s Health (IRMWH) –
Executive Member of the Federation of Reproductive Health Services – India (FRHS – India) Dr Purohit pointed that across India, couples are facing the infertility heat. The Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction says as many as 27.5 million couples , about one in six couple in urban India are impacted by infertility.

“The country’s rising infertility rate is a big issue, particularly in south Indian states. This high infertility rate in southern states may also contribute to overall total fertility rate (TFR) decline.” he added.

Noted Epidemiologist averred that the estimates of the Census of India (1981, 1991, 2001) show that infertility in India has increased among reproductive – age couples. It has risen from 13 per cent in 1981 to 16 per cent in 2001 among ever-married women.

He said that it has been observed that the infertility rate has declined between 1998–99 and 2005–06. “Furthermore, another study from India found that about eight per cent of currently married women suffered from primary (inability to conceive) and secondary infertility , of which 5.8% per cent were secondary infertile (inability to bear a child after having an earlier birth) ,” he added

“The infertility rate is higher in developing countries due to sexually transmitted infections and a lack of adequate and modern medical facilities,” said he

“Research studies across the globe have revealed that living environment of a couple such as frequent exposure to heat and noise etc. have adverse effect on the couple’s reproductive life,” averred the renowned medic.

“People with high body mass index (BMI), that is, excess weight, have been shown to have a major impact on menstruation, infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy and labour.”he added

He stressed that cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, induced abortions and prior contraceptive use also increase the risk of infertility.

He stated that working women have a high rate of infertility, which must be primarily due to a stressful work environment, which significantly impacts the menstrual cycle. Stressful life events like work stress and family pressure are associated with menstrual disorders, which lead to polycystic ovarian syndrome or disorder, and ultimately result in infertility.

He emphasized that the alarming trend of infertility necessitates the establishment of an infertility management chain which comprises of trained doctors, counsellors, and health professionals who can provide information on cause and treatment at a reasonable cost.

According to experts in the seminar primary fertility decreases with age and is higher among younger women, while secondary infertility is higher among older women.

Experts pointed that increasing education among girls leads to a low risk of infertility, especially secondary infertility. Similarly, rich and upper-caste women have a high risk of secondary infertility, while poor and lower-caste women have an increased risk of primary infertility.

They averred that overall trends show that primary infertility declined, but secondary infertility increased massively in the last three decades.
They suggested enhancing the current health and reproductive programmes, educating people about improving their lifestyle choices and sexual behaviour and calling attention to a significant shift in fertility dynamics.

• Dr. Naresh Purohit, is Advisor for National Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH).Dr. Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist, and Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state organizations.