On World IVF Day, experts have raised alarms about a troubling increase in infertility rates in India, suggesting it could profoundly affect the nation’s demographic future.
Observed annually on July 25, World IVF Day marks progress in infertility treatments and reproductive endocrinology, while also challenging the stigma surrounding infertility.
Kshitiz Murdia, CEO and Co-Founder of Indira IVF, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “India is grappling with a surge in infertility rates that poses a serious threat to its demographic trajectory.”
Current estimates suggest that 15 to 20 million couples in India struggle with infertility, with male infertility accounting for approximately 40 percent of cases. Ashwini S, an infertility specialist at Cloudnine Hospital in Bangalore, noted, “We’ve seen a steady increase in male infertility over the past decade.”
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in six individuals will encounter infertility during their lifetime.
Murdia attributed the rise in infertility to factors such as high rates of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—affecting up to 22.5 percent of women—escalating substance abuse, lifestyle changes, and increased prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. Ashwini further explained that environmental pollutants and toxins could also damage sperm DNA.
Urban couples are increasingly delaying marriage due to career demands, leading to deferred parenthood. As men age, sperm count and mobility decline, complicating conception efforts.
Despite approximately 27.5 million married couples facing infertility challenges, only around 275,000 seek IVF treatment annually. Murdia cautioned that India’s demographic advantage, characterized by a youthful population, is under threat from rising infertility and an aging populace. This situation could mirror demographic challenges faced by other Asian nations with aging populations.
Urban areas are witnessing a significant rise in male infertility, attributed to sedentary lifestyles and stress, which disrupt hormonal balance and impair sperm count and quality. Since 2000, sperm counts have been declining at an accelerated rate of 2.6 percent per year.
Murdia observed a growing influx of patients with low sperm counts and azoospermia—an absence of sperm in semen. Alarmingly, these issues are increasingly affecting younger men.
“If these trends continue unchecked, they could drastically reshape India’s population structure, leading to a demographic crisis for which the nation might be unprepared,” Murdia warned.
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