Infertility Amongst Millennials- The Gen Next Crises
INFERTILITY AMONG MILLENNIALS- THE GEN NEXT CRISIS.
Dr. Soumya Rathi- Infertility & IVF Specialist
Infertility affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates the overall prevalence of primary infertility in India is between 3.9 to 16.8%.
* In the male reproductive system, infertility often causes problems in the ejection of semen, absence or low levels of sperm, or abnormal shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm.
* In a female reproductive system, infertility can cause a range of abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the endocrine system, among others.
* Primary infertility is when a pregnancy has never been achieved by a person, and secondary infertility is when at least one prior pregnancy has been achieved.
* Fertility care encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility and prevention is critical to saving millennial from the fertility crises.
Both female and male reproductive dysfunction is equally responsible for infertility of the younger generation. In today’s world, lifestyle changes that have been radically changed to combat this trend can be a significant factor in infertility.
Female infertility causes
Females carry the fetus and deliver the child after completion of the full-term. Therefore, reproductive health is a very important factor in female fertility. Following are some common causes of female infertility:
Unable to ovulate: Aging, certain reproductive disorders consisting PCOS, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, and hormonal disorders including thyroid problems are some common factors that influence ovulation. Apart from these, in present century obesity as well as underweight both are common clinical findings in females, which also reduce ovulation rate. Excessive exercise is also harmful for ovulation.
Menstrual cycle disorders: Absence of menstrual periods or amenorrhea or abnormal menstrual periods or oligomenorrhea each can cause infertility. Stress, decreased physical activity, disturbed sleep – wake cycle, PCOS causes menstrual irregularities.
Defective reproductive anatomy: Blockage of fallopian tubes unable to move the egg to the uterus for fertilization, whereas defective uterus structure can intervene with implantation.
Infection in the reproductive organ: Gonorrhea and chlamydia lead to pelvic inflammation and that can block fallopian tubes. Cervix infection, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can reduce cervical mucus quality. Unsafe sexual practices, repeated abortions, multiple sexual partners, unprotected intercourse can lead to infections which affect or completely damage fertility.
Decreased egg Quality:
Obesity and certain other conditions like PCOS Lead to decreased egg quality. Apart from that consumption of alcohol in excess, smoking, drug Addictions lead to generation of oxidants in the body further impairing the quality.
Implantation failure: Genetic defect in the embryo, progesterone resistance, thin endometrium is different cause to restrict fertilized egg to implant in the uterine wall.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS):
A Day-to-day term for Millennials, today.
Adrenal glands and ovarian hormonal disorders lead to the defective secretion of female hormones and cyst formed within the ovaries. Both the genetic factor and environmental condition trigger PCOS development.
Sedentary lifestyle, stress, obesity is few of the Common millennial problems leading to PCOS.
Endometriosis: In this condition, the lining of the uterus which is also known as endometrium extends outside the uterus. The changes in the chemical nature of uterus lining cause difficulty to become pregnant after conception.
Primary ovary insufficiency (POI): Hormonal disorders of the pituitary gland and ovarian gland can cause failure to egg formation in the female ovaries. Removal of ovaries, Cystectomy, Infection of ovaries (oophoritis), tuberculosis, Chemotherapy, pelvic radiotherapy, etc. are some of the factors leading to POI
Uterine fibroids:
Male infertility causes:
Only 1 in 4 men have optimum semen quality in this present century. Semen quality relies upon numbers of sperm and sperm mobility. The latest lifestyle patterns often induce male infertility by altering scrotal thermoregulation and sex steroidal activities and resultant of these cause poor spermatogenesis and reduce semen quality. Furthermore, oxidative stress enhancement due to defective lifestyle and unwanted environmental factors tear down the cellular structure of spermatozoa and additionally set off DNA damage. Altogether, these lead to abnormal spermatozoa production, poor sperm viability, and impaired sperm motility.
* In recent days, males often feel happy to wear tight outfits and undergarments throughout their office hours. But prolong sitting posture in the office desk with wearing tight garments enhance male genital organ’s temperature.
* Employees operating within the metal, glass, ceramic industrial occupation often exposed to high temperatures. Excessive heat exposure imbalance the temperature equilibrium in male genital organs.
* The application of pesticides in the harvesting and agriculture sector increases the scope of ingesting harmful chemicals through food ingestion, which can cause low quality semen.
* Prolong driving due to traveling jobs, a long distance from the residential area to the workplace, and traffic jams increase body temperature and also increases the atmospheric pollutant contact occasions.
* Increasing soy product consumption enhances the phytoestrogens level and alters human hormonal homeostasis.
* Processed foods and packed food items are rich sources of transfat, which decreases sperm generation ability and poor semen quality by inducing metabolic disorders.
* Males have a higher tendency to drug abuse for muscle growth, sports activity or recreational purposes. Unnecessary intake of synthetic chemicals can cause infertility.
* Consumption of Alcohol in excess, tobacco smoking, drug addictions are Known to decrease sperm quality.
TIPS TO PRESERVE FERTILITY
- Lifestyle modification
- Maintain a Healthy balanced diet-Extremely high or low BMI leads to hormonal imbalances resulting in infertility.
- Reduction or avoidance of smoking, alcohol intake and other intoxicating drugs- Smoking adds to your fertility age, decreases quality and sperm count in motility, which causes erectile dysfunction and also affects sperm DNA in males and decreases the quality of eggs in females. Alcohol intake reduces libido and decreases the percentage of normal sperms.
- Cut back on caffeine and colas- Caffeine And colas reduce sperm motility. In women, it reduces the motility of the cells within the tubes.
- Have intercourse at the right time and follow safe sexual practices .
- Track ovulation, avoid your fertile days, use barrier contraception to avoid acquiring infections to the genital tract.
- Reduce stress.
- Find time to relax by incorporating walking, yoga or meditation into your daily routine.
- Avoid Over- the-counter Medications and supplements
- Avoid using emergency contraceptives or any other medications for prevention or termination of pregnancy Over the counter. Talk to your doctor about any medication and supplements and its effect on fertility.