An unknown and unseen modern-day lifestyle is putting women at risk of Infertility. The statistics from the International Institute of Population Sciences reveal that over 15-20 million Indians in the last couple of years experienced Infertility. Family Health and Survey Report states that women’s fertility rate has decreased from 2.2 to 2.0 across the country. The main reasons that stand out for these observations are:-
- Sedentary lifestyles
- Stressful professional life
- Unhealthy diet
- Fast-paced lifestyle and late marriages.
- Habits like smoking and alcohol.
This is quite a paradoxical situation for India, the world’s second-most populous country. On the one hand, there is a high population and a dramatic year-on-year decline in its fertility rate. Interestingly the rural belt has a higher fertility rate of 82 per cent, whereas the urban population has a much lower fertility rate of 60 per cent. This difference spells out that the lifestyle of these two sections of society is greatly influencing their fertility. For many women, starting a family and having a flourishing career are equally a priority. They make decisions about marriage and children on their own.
One should remember that the biological clock waits for none. Taking care of one’s reproductive health is the need of the hour. It is just like caring for your skin, hair, and oral and other physical health. But the awareness regarding the option of fertility preservation is less, and many women do not even consider it.
Below are the significant factors that increase the risk of Infertility in women:
Increased Age
The most fertile age for men and women is in their early 20s to 30s. After the age of 35, female fertility declines rapidly. Not only do the chances of natural conception reduce, but there are possibilities of chromosomal anomalies in the offspring.
Dietary habits
The relation between intake and fertility is quite strong. Any diet high in unsaturated fats, whole grains, vegetables, and fish improves fertility in both women and men. On the contrary, diets full of saturated fats and sugar are associated with poor fertility. If you seek fertility treatments, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for better outcomes.
No control of Weight
Weight influences hormonal balance, which is a leading cause of Infertility in both genders. If a person is overweight, amongst many other health hazards, a person might experience problems while conceiving. At the same time, being underweight is also a problem in getting pregnant if you are underweight.
Stress causing lifestyle
Stress can lead to several health problems, such as heart disease, asthma, obesity, and depression and can interfere with conception. The stress of a hectic lifestyle affects your libido and sex drive. In terms of male fertility, stress can also reduce sperm and semen quality. Stress, in particular, affects the functioning of the hypothalamus – the brain’s center that regulates the hormones responsible for ovulation every month.
Smoking and drinking
Smoking causes Infertility in both men and women. Due to smoking, women take longer to conceive. Ovulation disorders in women have been observed in women who drink heavily.
Eating disorders
Bulimia and anorexia nervosa can lead to several issues, including Infertility, and they can take a heavy toll on your physical and mental health. But these disorders can also affect your ability to conceive in the future. Even after conceiving of an existing eating disorder, it puts you and your baby at risk. Eating large amounts of food in a short period is known as binge eating. It leads to weight gain and causes guilt and depression. Overeating or undereating causes nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalance. Both of them disrupt regular menstrual cycles and ovulation. The quality of eggs is reduced.
Though Infertility was always there, it has recently increased due to the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the stress we take and our sleep patterns. The excellent news is fertility preservation programs are increasing in the country. Women are considering egg freezing to plan their pregnancy at their convenience.
We at ZIVA Fertility Center have always been striving to raise Fertility awareness amongst young men and women. We not only give medical treatment but also provide counselling services for infertile couples since it is quite an emotional journey. Please visit our website https://zivafertility.com/ to know more or reach us on +91-9100002737, +91-9392834024, or info@zivafertility.com.
