Infertility can affect anyone at any time, so it’s important to understand why it might happen to you or me. It can be either inherited or acquired. Inherited infertility is often due to family history, genetic defects, and other genetic factors, which are usually irreversible, requiring artificial reproductive treatments (ART). On the other hand, acquired infertility is more common and often treatable.
Male infertility is the most prevalent issue, accounting for over a third of cases seen at fertility clinics. Interestingly, pinpointing the exact reason for male infertility is often challenging. Everyday activities like using a laptop, spending long hours driving, and wearing tight clothing like jeans are contributing factors. Lifestyle is a primary reason for male infertility, as determined by surveys at fertility clinics. However, many people are reluctant to change their habits. Increasingly, marriages in India are struggling, and this is a significant factor. Often, blame for childlessness falls on women, primarily because of a lack of sex education; nearly 80% of people don’t fully understand infertility.
The reasons for male infertility include pre-existing genetic conditions, which make up about 20% of infertility cases and are typically irreversible. This occurs because the issues are deeply rooted in genetics, making it hard to identify the exact cause. In women, high levels of male sex hormones can also lead to infertility.
Accidents and injuries can cause infertility too. Modern bike designs often provide little protection to the groin, and accidents can be severe. Infertility due to injury is usually irreversible, with IVF treatments often being the only option.
While urinary tract infections (UTIs) rarely cause infertility in younger men, poor hygiene and habits can lead to UTIs at any age. Sexual intercourse can cause UTIs, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also known to contribute to infertility.
Lastly, habits like drinking and smoking are common reasons for infertility in men, but these are typically temporary and reversible, supported by scientific evidence.