Infertility In a nutshell
- According to WHO, around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 people- have experienced at some stage in their lives, globally.
- The global prevalence estimates showed a limited variation of rates across regions.
- It emphasizes the need to respond more effectively to the needs of people with reproductive conditions.
A 98-page report published by the World Health Organization revealed the staggering rate of worldwide. According to the report, around 17.5% of the adult population—roughly 1 in 6 people—have experienced at some point in their lives, globally.
The lifetime prevalence or the proportion of a population that has ever experienced infertility in their lifetime, was estimated to be 17.5%.
Period prevalence or the proportion of a population with infertility at a given point or interval in time, which may be current or in the past, was found to be 12.6%.
The global infertility prevalence estimates were based on data from 1990 to 2021 and showed a limited variation in rates across regions.
In high-income nations, the lifetime prevalence was 17.8%, whereas, in low- and middle-income countries, it was 16.5%.
Infertility does not discriminate
The study by the WHO lays bare the extent of the problem and proves that infertility could be considered a global health challenge.
“The research exposes an essential truth: infertility does not discriminate,” stated WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The sheer scale of those affected demonstrates the need for expanding access to fertility treatment and
ensuring that this problem is no longer ignored in health research and policy so that safe, effective, and inexpensive options to achieve parenthood are available for those who seek it, he said.
The report acknowledges the lack of sufficient studies from specific regions as well as the differences in definitions and inclusion and exclusion criteria employed in studies estimating infertility. These challenges moderate the certainty of estimated rates.
It urges the researchers to use more consistent, systematic, and comprehensive processes to improve the evidence base relating to infertility prevalence at the global, regional, and national levels, in further studies.
A global challenge
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, according to the WHO.
Infertility in the male reproductive system is commonly caused by issues with sperm ejection, sperm absence or low levels, or anomalies with morphology and movement of the sperm. It could also occur due to genetic diseases and other medical conditions.
Infertility in the female reproductive system can be caused by a variety of disorders in the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, endocrine system, and hormonal imbalances.
Certain lifestyle habits like smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and obesity can have an impact on fertility. Moreover, environmental pollutants and toxins can be directly harmful to gametes (eggs and sperm), resulting in a decline in their quantity and quality.
Addressing infertility
There are a host of assisted reproduction technologies available for more than three decades and over 5 million children worldwide have been born as a result of treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
However, these technologies remain largely unavailable, inaccessible, and unaffordable in many parts of the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries, states WHO.
It further adds that timely diagnosis and treatment of infertility are not given due importance and reproductive health policies and strategies are rarely covered through public financing. The lack of trained physicians and necessary infrastructure also hampers access to fertility care.
Fertility care is an essential component of sexual and reproductive health, and addressing infertility can help to reduce gender disparity, it added. The report stressed the need to respond more effectively to the needs of people with reproductive conditions.
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