Stressful Work, Sedentary Lifestyle Threaten Fertility, Say Experts

Increasing work-related stress, extended working hours, and sedentary lifestyles are being identified as significant factors negatively impacting fertility in both men and women. Experts urge the need for stress management, regular exercise, and a healthy diet to counteract these issues, especially in a world where career priorities often lead to delayed marriage and family planning.

Dr. Rupali Tambe, fertility consultant at Nova IVF Pune, explained the effects of high-stress environments on women's fertility. "In today's competitive world, unmanaged stress can affect sleep, eating habits, and even lead to substance reliance, all of which can hinder fertility. Stress raises the risk of hormonal imbalances, disrupts ovulation cycles, and increases the likelihood of pregnancy complications," she said. “Delaying marriage for career goals may reduce egg quality and quantity, making assisted reproductive technologies necessary,” she added.

Men are not exempt from these challenges. Dr. Padma Srivastava, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Lullanagar, Pune, highlighted how work stress and sedentary habits affect male fertility. "High stress can lower sperm quality and testosterone levels. Late working hours and poor sleep further disrupt hormone levels. Additionally, sedentary lifestyles can lead to obesity and low sperm counts. Around 20-30 per cent of infertility cases are linked to abnormal sperm counts, and this trend is escalating due to related conditions like diabetes and hypertension."

Both experts stressed the importance of adopting healthier lifestyles to boost fertility. Dr. Srivastava recommended stress-relieving activities like yoga and meditation, while Dr. Tambe urged individuals to consider fertility planning with the help of a consultant, including options like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg freezing.

Maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, and effective stress management techniques can significantly improve fertility outcomes for both men and women, according to the experts.