Dr. Murdia notes that infertility rates are increasing significantly among low-income populations, where inadequate access
Infertility is increasingly seen as a crisis driven by lifestyle choices, particularly affecting low-income groups and residents of tier 2 and tier 3 cities with limited access to healthcare. Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder and chairman of Indira IVF, one of India’s largest fertility chains, emphasizes that while advances in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) provide hope, those most affected—disadvantaged communities—often remain without viable options.
Dr. Murdia notes that infertility rates are increasing significantly among low-income populations, where inadequate access to healthcare, nutrition and education exacerbates the problem. “Infertility is no longer just a medical issue; it has become a crisis driven by lifestyle choices that disproportionately affects the underprivileged. Without proactive measures, even innovations such as IVF will remain inaccessible to many,” he stated.
Factors such as obesity, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking and chronic stress are recognized as major contributors to infertility, especially in marginalized communities where resources and awareness are limited. These issues go beyond individual health and create substantial barriers to conception, particularly for those with fewer financial resources.
Dr Murdia further explains that lifestyle choices among economically disadvantaged groups, combined with restricted access to quality healthcare, are central to the current fertility crisis. “Often overlooked habits, particularly in less affluent areas, are now crucial to the ability to conceive,” he observed.
The severity of this crisis is underlined by alarming statistics relating to obesity and its effects on fertility. According to the World Health Organisation, one in eight people worldwide are classified as obese, significantly increasing the risks of infertility. Obese women are three times more likely to experience infertility than those of a healthy weight, and for men, every additional 9kg above their ideal weight increases the risk of infertility by 10 per cent.
These trends are particularly pronounced in economically disadvantaged regions, where healthcare support and lifestyle interventions are often insufficient. Furthermore, smoking and tobacco use are highlighted as lifestyle choices with serious consequences for reproductive health, further emphasizing the need for targeted awareness and action.
