For decades, when couples faced infertility, the focus has overwhelmingly fallen on women. This is not without reason about 50 to 60 percent of infertility cases can be attributed to female factors, ranging from blocked fallopian tubes to endometriosis and other medical conditions. However, what has often been overlooked is that male infertility is equally significant and is now rising at an alarming rate. Shifting the conversation toward male fertility and sexual health is not only necessary but urgent.
The Rising Tide of Male Infertility - Post-COVID, clinicians across India have observed a growing trend of male infertility. Factors such as reduced sperm motility, lower sperm counts, and poorer overall semen quality are becoming more common. Lifestyle shifts are partly to blame on increasing sedentary behavior, higher phone usage (especially keeping phones in pockets), poor exercise habits, and chronic stress. Add to those environmental risks such as pollution and unhealthy diets, and the result is a decline in male reproductive health.
Globally, this is not a phenomenon unique to India. Countries like China are already grappling with the long-term societal impact of rising infertility rates. If India, the most populated country in the world, does not actively confront this issue, the repercussions will be significant.
The Hidden Burden on Women - When male infertility is ignored, the burden often falls unfairly on women. In many cases, women undergo repeated rounds of invasive and expensive treatments like IVF, even when the underlying issue lies with the male partner. Sometimes, male infertility can be
addressed with relatively simple medical or surgical interventions. By not giving male factors equal importance, we risk subjecting women to unnecessary treatments and emotional distress.
This gender imbalance in diagnosis and treatment reflects deep-rooted social taboos. Misplaced ideas of masculinity, stigma, and silence around male reproductive health prevent men from seeking timely medical evaluation. Breaking these taboos is essential not just for fairness in treatment but for improving outcomes for couples.
Fertility Is a Couple’s Journey - Parenthood is not an individual pursuit, it is a journey that a couple undertakes together. Yet, too often, only the woman is scrutinized when conception does not happen. At Milann, our team of highly experienced specialists including reproductive medicine experts, gynecologists, obstetricians, andrologists, urologists, nutritionists, and IVF and birthing doctors work together with a holistic and couple-focused approach to provide complete care.
The clinic integrates expertise from IVF specialists, andrologists, embryologists, clinical
nutritionists, psychologists, endocrinologists, and immunologists. By bringing together this wide spectrum of care, the aim is to provide the right treatment the first time, tailored to the unique needs of both partners. This approach not only increases success rates but also spares couples from unnecessary procedures and prolonged stress.
A Call for Cultural Change - In India, conversations around sex and reproductive health are still too often whispered behind closed doors. Despite being the world’s most populated country, open
discussions about sexual health, infertility, and male factors remain rare. This silence perpetuates myths, reinforces stigma, and delays medical intervention.
But times are changing. Recent public campaigns and advertisements are beginning to nudge men into the conversation asking them not just what role they will play as fathers after birth, but how they can take responsibility even before conception. Recognizing that children thrive best when both parents are equally engaged should extend to fertility care as well.
Toward a Healthier Future - Improving male fertility is not just about medical interventions it also begins at home and within communities. Practical lifestyle changes can make a real difference: exercising regularly, reducing stress, limiting phone exposure near the groin, avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, and prioritizing mental health. These small but consistent steps can significantly enhance fertility and overall wellbeing.
More importantly, men must be willing to speak openly, undergo testing, and accept treatment when needed. Fertility is not a reflection of masculinity, it is a health issue, like any other, that deserves equal medical attention and social acceptance.
Conclusion - Male infertility is not a minor or secondary issue it is half the picture of fertility care. Ignoring it not only delays treatment but also places unnecessary burdens on women. If India is to move toward a healthier, more equitable approach to reproductive health, men must be part of the conversation.
The time has come to shed outdated taboos, confront rising infertility rates, and create a culture where both partners share responsibility in the journey to parenthood. Because when it comes to building families, male factor matters.