Dr. Riddhi emphasizes that open discussions about reproductive choices with a fertility specialist can significantly aid in managing and preventing infertility.
Dr. Riddhi Doshi
Infertility, recognized as a global health concern by the World Health Organization since 2009, is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse for women under 35 years old. For women over 35, this timeframe is reduced to 6 months. Despite being viewed as a personal issue for couples, infertility often imposes significant social and psychological burdens, especially on women, who frequently face societal stigma and suffer in silence. Recent trends indicate a rising prevalence of infertility worldwide, including in India. According to the World Health Organization, 17.5% of the global adult population is affected, with urban areas experiencing an even higher rate . In India, the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction estimates that around 27.5 million individuals are affected by infertility.
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Common causes of infertility include low sperm count, poor sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic infections, poor ovarian reserve, and fallopian tube damage. Social and lifestyle factors, such as late marriages, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins, also contribute significantly. While infertility affects both males and females, women often face greater societal backlash. Female fertility declines sharply in the late thirties, whereas male fertility is affected at a later age, often beyond their forties.
Dr. Riddhi Doshi, a fertility expert from Mumbai, advocates for oocyte cryopreservation, or egg freezing, as a method to preserve fertility. This process involves extracting and freezing a woman's eggs for future use, allowing her to delay childbearing without compromising reproductive potential. Egg freezing also reduces risks associated with age-related infertility such as miscarriages and genetic abnormalities. Ideal candidates include women under 35, those with medical conditions or cancer requiring treatments impacting fertility, and women choosing to delay parenthood for career or educational reasons, known as "social egg freezing".
The egg-freezing procedure is relatively straightforward and typically takes about two weeks. It begins with an assessment of the woman's ovarian reserve and health parameters, followed by hormonal injections to stimulate egg production and ovulation, monitored by sonography. Once the eggs reach maturity, a minimally invasive procedure called oocyte retrieval is performed under anesthesia. The retrieved eggs are then frozen using a technique called vitrification. The process is generally safe with minor side effects, allowing patients to continue their daily routine. While it is important to raise awareness about egg freezing, Dr. Riddhi emphasizes that open discussions about reproductive choices with a fertility specialist can significantly aid in managing and preventing infertility.
To know more, log on to; https://riddhidoshifertility.in
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