Fertility Issues

From cash incentives to calls for national duty, governments deployed every tool to boost births, but declining fertility proved far harder to reverse than expected

They are the most recent efforts to explain the sweeping fertility rate decline in the United States and other countries over the past 20 years

Southern states largely see stable or marginally higher fertility levels, while northern and northeastern states record declines, indicating demographic convergence

India's widening fertility divide is set to influence politics, labour markets and economic growth

This measure comes at a time when the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement enthusiasts have raised concerns about the birth rate hitting record lows in US in recent years

A growing number of young women are experiencing hormonal imbalance and fertility-related issues much earlier than previously seen, with experts attributing the trend to a combination of biological shifts and modern lifestyle factors. Doctors say there is a noticeable change in clinical patterns, with conditions once common in women in their late 30s now increasingly being diagnosed in those in their 20s. "There is a clear and concerning shift in women's health today, where issues related to hormonal imbalance and fertility are appearing much earlier than we traditionally observed," Priti Arora Dhamija, senior consultant and lead IVF, gynaecology at the Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, said. She noted that one contributing factor is the earlier onset of puberty. "One of the key reasons is the earlier onset of puberty with many girls now attain menarche as early as 8-9 years, which can lead to a relatively earlier decline in ovarian reserve," she said. Studies ...

As cancer treatments improve survival, experts stress early fertility discussions and preservation options so patients can make informed choices about life after treatment

As more couples in India turn to assisted reproduction to build families, the country's leading fertility and embryology bodies have flagged a test marketed as a way to assess the genetic health of embryos without touching or biopsying them, saying it should not be used for routine clinical use due to high rates of misdiagnosis. The technique referred to is non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing (niPGT), also called non-invasive chromosomal screening (NICS). In a first-of-its-kind patient-focused initiative, the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), the Indian Fertility Society (IFS), and the Academy of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) jointly evaluated niPGT to determine whether it is truly ready for clinical use. The exercise was led by scientist Dr Deepak Modi at the Indian Council of Medical Research-?National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH). After a detailed review of global evidence, the experts concluded that niPGT is not ye

From age-related decline to pollution, stress and medical treatments, experts explain why sperm freezing is becoming an increasingly sensible choice for modern men

From who should consider it to how long embryos last, experts break down everything couples need to know about embryo freezing, a rising option for those planning pregnancy later in life

As awareness grows, egg-freezing is becoming an empowering choice for many women. From ideal age windows to the medical steps and risks, here's what you should know.

As International Men's Day emphasises men's wellbeing, fertility experts urge caution, warning that tainted or overused supplements may shut down natural hormones and impact sperm production.

A three-week trial revealed that eating ultra-processed foods changes hormone levels and reduces sperm motility, affecting both reproductive and metabolic health in men

Nova IVF Fertility introduces AI-powered Vita Embryo across 120 clinics in India, improving IVF success rates and accuracy, in partnership with South Korea's Kai Health

As more couples turn to IVF for parenthood, understanding the step-by-step process, costs and success rates is key to navigating this complex journey

Luma Fertility, a Mumbai-based fertility health-tech startup, raises $4 million in seed funding to expand its services in Mumbai and beyond, with participation from Ameera Shah and Vijay Taparia

India is now the world's most populous country, yet the number of births are falling-UNFPA warns the real crisis lies in barriers to reproductive choice, not rising or shrinking numbers

With the rising fertility problems among women, doctors say that tobacco, alcohol consumption and vaping are silently harming the reproductive health and raising chances of miscarriages. While smoking increases the risk of a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, it also causes DNA damage in sperm, which can lead to miscarriage and birth defects, they say. Fertility problems are rampant in women and also in men. They are not only affected due to age, stress or reproductive health problems, but also due to smoking, drinking and vaping, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, consultant-obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Anuja Thomas told PTI. "These vices are often seen as personal choices, but they impact fertility as well. Many people believe that reducing or pausing these habits only when planning a pregnancy is enough," she said. However, it is necessary to completely avoid these vices as these substances can cause damage to the reproductive organs, hormones, and even the health of future .

Fact-check Friday: Delaying motherhood? Experts bust common myths about IVF success after 40 and explain what really affects your chances of pregnancy

India has become most populous nation. But with fertility rate slowing, there are concerns that it may grow old before getting rich. The second part of the series explores demographic challenges