Climate change is emerging as a hidden disruptor of reproductive health and fertility in India, which is already dealing with severe healthcare, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges. As a result, understanding the relationship between climate and fertility has become increasingly important since it has a considerable impact on health outcomes. In this article, we'll see how climate change affects fertility in India.
Addressing Fertility and Climate Change
Fertility, whether in men or women, is influenced or affected by a variety of factors involving lifestyle, genetics, the environment, and many others. Climate dynamics have introduced several environmental stressors, which have had a significant impact on human reproductive systems. This includes–
- Rising temperatures
- Air and water pollution
- Nutritional challenges
- Exposure to endocrine-disrupting substances
- Higher stress and disease load
The foregoing elements jointly limit or impair the functioning and balancing of hormones while diminishing sperm quality, interrupting menstrual cycles, raising the risk of miscarriage, and affecting the birth rate.
Also Read: Top 10 Fertility Myths to Stop Believing in 2026
Impact on Male Fertility
Heat Stress and Sperm Quality
According to the study, the optimal scrotal temperature for sperm generation is roughly 2-3°C below body temperature.
Furthermore, temperatures exceeding 35°C can reduce spermatogenesis.
A study published in Nature Climate Change (2021) discovered that male fertility conces are prevalent in India as a result of heatwaves, which reduced birth rates by up to 4.5%.
This is cause for considerable concern in Central India, where heatwaves have increased tenfold since 1950. Furthermore, this is expanding fast each summer until the year 2025, as demonstrated. During peak summer, temperatures in cities such as Nagpur and Delhi can approach 45°C.
Impact on Female Fertility
Temperature and ovulation
Temperature increases impact the development of ovarian follicles, resulting in disrupted or missing ovulation cycles. Furthermore, The Lancet Planetary Health (2020) reported that extended heat exposure may reduce the likelihood of conception in women by 10-20%, particularly in rural regions without air conditioning or cooling systems.
Preterm birth and miscarriage
According to the Indian Joual of Public Health, exposure to excessive heat during the first trimester increases the risk of miscarriage by 14% and premature birth by 7%.
A 2022 study by the National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) found that pregnancy problems increased by 23% in Mumbai during heatwaves.
Also Read: What You need to know about male and female fertility?
Solutions and Adaptive Strategies
Public Health Interventions
- Expand reproductive health care, particularly in climate-vulnerable areas.
- Include climate-related reproductive threats in awareness campaigns.
Policy Measures
- Should regulate and decrease industrial pollution.
- Should provide safe drinking water and air quality monitoring.
- Maintain climate-proof agriculture in order to reduce food insecurity.
Medical Approaches
- Invest in a study on how climate affects fertility.
- Antioxidant therapy and detoxification measures should be encouraged.
- Should increase IVF and ART access in vulnerable populations as needed.
Also Read: How Much Does IVF Cost in Mumbai?
Conclusion
Climate change is more than just a global environmental issue; it affects the most personal aspects of human life, including reproduction. With its enormous population and significant climatic vulnerability, India is seeing an increase in the junction of environmental stress and reproductive health.
Ignoring this connection may silently diminish the country's reproductive potential, particularly among the poor and marginalized. Addressing it with evidence-based policies, healthcare reform, and environmental protection is not only necessary but also urgent.
