The "Blame Game" Stops Here: Why Male Infertility is Rising in Rural India

Is Infertility Only a "Woman’s Problem"?

In many villages across Odisha and rural India, when a couple struggles to conceive, the pressure almost always falls on the woman. She is taken to temples, given herbal remedies, and subjected to endless medical tests.

But recent data tells a different story.

It is time to break the silence on Male Factor Infertility. At Saantan IVF, we want to educate our community that conceiving is a partnership, biologically and emotionally.

The Current Reality: What the Data Says

Contrary to popular belief, infertility is not just a female issue.

• The 50% Rule: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and recent Indian fertility data, male factor infertility contributes to nearly 40-50% of all infertility cases.

• Declining Counts: Studies indicate a global decline in sperm quality, exacerbated in rural areas by pesticide exposure in farming, heat stress, and tobacco use.

• Rural Fertility Trends: The NFHS-5 data shows Odisha’s fertility rate has dipped to 1.8, below the replacement level. This means the challenge is no longer just "population control" but helping those who want to conceive but can't.

The Challenge: The "Silent" Stigma

In rural districts, men often refuse testing due to fear of social shame or a misunderstanding that infertility affects "virility." This leads to:

1. Delayed Treatment: Couples waste years on ineffective treatments for the woman, while the root cause lies with the man.

2. Financial Loss: Money is spent on unnecessary rituals or unverified medicines.

3. Emotional Distress: The female partner bears an unfair burden of guilt.

How We Treat It (Clinical Guidelines)

Under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021, fertility care in India is now more regulated and patient-centric than ever.

• Confidentiality is Key: Clinical guidelines mandate strict privacy. A man's test results are confidential—shared only with the couple.

• It Starts with a Simple Test: We advocate for a Semen Analysis as the first step. It is low-cost, non-invasive, and gives immediate clarity.

• Advanced Solutions (ICSI): For severe male infertility, we use Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This advanced technique (available at Saantan) allows us to select a single healthy sperm to fertilise an egg. It has revolutionised care for men with very low sperm counts who previously thought they could never father a child.

Actionable Advice for Couples

"If you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or 6 months if the female partner is 35+) without success, BOTH partners must be tested."

3 Steps to Take Today:

1. Stop the Blame: Understand that infertility is a medical condition, not a curse.

2. Lifestyle Check: Reduce tobacco intake and avoid keeping mobile phones in front pockets (heat affects sperm health).

3. Visit a Specialist: Don't rely on general practitioners; visit a specialised fertility clinic.

Ready to start your journey? At Saantan IVF (Bhubaneswar & Bengaluru), we use AI-driven technology to find the best treatment path for both of you.