Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 29: Infertility cases among young men have been steadily increasing over the past decade, with male factors accounting for 40-50% of cases, said Dr Praveen Joshi, president of the Comprehensive Infertility Conclave (CIC) 2025.

Dr Joshi emphasized the alarming rise in infertility among couples in India and highlighted the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive fertility care to address this growing concern.

Discussing the increase in infertility cases in urban areas, Dr. Joshi noted that low sperm count, poor sperm motility, hormonal imbalances, genetics, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and prolonged exposure to heat and radiation are major lifestyle-related causes of male infertility.

Additionally, he pointed out that increasing pollution levels in cities like Bengaluru have been linked to deteriorating sperm health.

Speaking on female infertility, CIC 2025 organizing secretary Dr Meghana Nyapati stated, “According to the 2019-20 National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), infertility affects 18.7% of married women aged 15-49 years per 1,000 women. Certain regions, including Goa, Lakshadweep, and Chhattisgarh, report even higher infertility rates. In Karnataka, approximately 5.9% of married women face infertility issues.”

The District Level Household Survey (DLHS) further indicates that infertility rates are slightly higher in rural areas (6.1%) compared to urban areas (5.5%). These variations underscore the urgent need to enhance reproductive health services for women across different regions, she added.

Despite advancements in reproductive medicine, infertility—particularly male infertility—remains a stigmatized and underdiagnosed issue. “There is a pressing need to eliminate societal taboos surrounding infertility,” said Dr B S Ajai Kumar, executive chairman of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited.