chandigarh:Approximately 15 per cent couples suffer from infertility and it is increasing day by day! The main reason for this ever increasing trend is the change in lifestyle. However, there is ray of hope. Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, gynaecologist and IVF specialist at the Fortis Hospital, Mohali says that if some lifestyle modifications are brought in along with some help from specialist doctors, it is possible to attain parenthood.
Dr. Pai, who also happens to be the Secretary General of the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India, while addressing media persons here today informed that diet is a major reason which needs to be taken care of. “With increased urbanisation there is easy availability and consumption of high fat and carbohydrate rich diet. For healthy living consumption of high protein diet, fiber, foliate and lycopene rich diet is a must”, he emphasised.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Pooja Mehta from Fortis Mohali said, “Excessive weight and lack of exercise is another major factor contributing to hormonal imbalance which leads to infertility. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and drug abuse further add to the problem. Also excessive use of electronic devices like mobile phones and laptops should be discouraged in younger generation”.
Citing a case study, Dr. Pai said that young girls have become more career oriented, as a result of which marriage gets delayed, and since the ovarian reserve goes down with passing years, the chances of infertility and abnormalities in offspring increases.
He said, “Patient XYZ, 31 yrs of age, came to the OPD with weight of 85 kg, hair growth on face and married for 5 yrs. Her main complain was regarding irregular periods plus weight gain. She was investigated and diagnosed to have PCOD. She was put on medicines and was advised exercise for 2 hrs a day and was also told to modify her diet. She was followed up regularly after 6 months when her weigh came down to 76 kg. She returned with missed periods and when pregnancy test was done, it came out to be positive”.
“At least 10% of weight loss increases the chances of pregnancy”, he added.
Citing another example, Dr. Pooja Mehta said, “A couple married for 3 yrs came with male infertility. The male had low count and low motility. When asked about his detailed history, he revealed that he worked for IT Company and was constantly on laptops. Even after coming home he used laptops placing on his lap. He was diagnosed with Sperm DNA fragmentation, which was more because of smoking and drinking alcohol. He was given medicines also was told to exercise and stop placing laptops on his lap. Besides, he was told to reduce smoking and alcohol. Within 3 months his counts and motility of sperms increased”.
As per publication in International Journal of Fertility and Sterility in Jan 2018, it has been proven that a considerable proportion of men and woman seeking infertility treatment present with several unfavourable lifestyle related factors that may interfere not only with their fertility but also with future infertility treatment outcome. To conclude most of modern day diseases are due to life style disorders thus a healthy way of living needs to be adopted at the earliest.
