Stress causes rise in infertility
(Times News Network-January 20, 2004)

Ganesh is 33 and his wife Roopa is 31. They married eight years ago and have been trying to have a baby since the past two years. Frequent visits to their doctor revealed that while Ganesh has a low sperm count, Roopa has ovulating
problems. The reasons: long working hours and extremely stressful jobs.

A recent study undertaken by Kanva Diagnostic Centre reveals that today, 20 to 30 per cent of the total numbers of couples planning to conceive discover that they suffer from infertility.

"The rise in percentage has to do with the increase in stress levels at work and home, resulting in low sperm count and semen disturbances. Prolonged family planning, pollution and the use of pesticides that can cause hormonal disturbances and other new lifestyle-related stress are also responsible. When couples eventually feel they are ready to handle responsibilities and have children, their bodies do not meet the biological requirements," explains gynaecologist Dr Padmini Prasad.

While couples are already in distress, doctors in the city have identified yet another major drawback. "There is a lack of information and proper counselling for such couples. The word infertility is still considered taboo in most families," says physician Dr M V Venkatappa. "Everyone must realise that infertility is not a disease or curse. It is only a situation that some couples experience," adds Dr Prasad.

"An academy for infertility is being set up in order to help the increasing number of couples with infertility problems. The team will involve around 10 to 12 doctors, each a specialist. For example, we have a psychiatrist, a gynaecologist, a physician, a laboratory specialist etc," says Dr Venkatappa. The academy will organise lectures for couples who need information. After this, the doctors deal with individual problems.

A special section is being set up for women. "No matter what class of society a family belongs to, there are many which ostracise the woman if she cannot bear a child. In such a situation the woman feels physically and mentally drained and requires counselling. Even the general public needs to be constantly educated about the causes and effects of infertility," says Dr Prasad.

The cost factor plays a role. "There are a number of doctors who are out to take you for a ride," says businesswoman Anjum. "When my husband and I found it difficult to start a family, we began knocking on hospital doors. Our doctor advised us to first opt for artificial insemination and when that did not work, we even tried for a test-tube baby. But nothing worked." Ironically, two years after they gave up on having a child, Anjum conceived.

According to Dr Prasad, "In most cases there is absolutely no necessity for a couple to undergo so many technical investigations. Again, it is due to the lack of information that couples land up spending a lot of money. But in serious medical cases, we do advise couples to opt for adoption."
(Names have been changed to protect identity)