The United States is freezing all asylum decisions, officials said Friday (November 28, 2025), as President Donald Trump hardens his anti-migrant stance after an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members this week in Washington. Wednesday's (November 26
How Environmental Factors Are Impacting Fertility In India: What Couples Must Know
How Environmental Factors Are Impacting Fertility In India: What Couples Must Know
Reproductive health is determined mainly by age, genetics and lifestyle. But in recent years, one more dynamic factor has increasingly affected fertility, the environment in which we live. A clear indication of this is the rising incidence of infertility in the urban population (15–20%) compared to the rural population (6–9%). Apart from other causes such as the increased age of marriage, a very important difference between rural and urban populations is the level of exposure to environmental toxins.
Dr. Gunjan K. Bhagwat, Infertility Specialist & Laparoscopy Surgeon, Apollo Fertility, Ghaziabad, shares all you need to know:
Several research studies indicate that exposure to air and water pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, extreme temperatures and work-related stress can impair fertility in both men and women. In women, these environmental factors may disrupt oocyte maturation, ovulation, implantation and overall ovarian reserve. In men, these exposures are associated with decreased sperm count, poor motility, abnormal morphology and increased DNA damage. The impact of environmental exposure on fertility is cumulative, subtle and typically overlooked during routine fertility assessment.
Pollution Impact in India
In India, rapid urbanization, industrialization, intensive use of agro-chemicals, indoor air pollution from cooking fuels and high workloads or shift-based employment further aggravate the risk of environmental exposure. In other words, couples facing infertility may encounter an additional layer of hidden barriers to conception that go beyond mainstream medical or lifestyle explanations. To identify these, fertility consultations must include enquiries about personal and occupational exposures, enabling clinicians to guide couples in minimizing modifiable risks.
Changes to be Made
Steps that can help combat the effects of environmental toxins include reducing exposure to air pollution by avoiding outdoor activity during peak traffic hours, using N95 masks, using air purifiers with HEPA filters and planting indoor air-purifying plants. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be reduced by avoiding plastic bottles and food packaging, avoiding canned foods and consuming fresh food whenever possible, choosing paraben-free and phthalate-free cosmetics, using milder home cleansers and replacing non-stick cookware with cast iron or steel. For drinking water, one should use RO with UV purification, ensuring TDS between 150 and 300, and avoid drinking water stored in plastic bottles.
Our diet should support the body in combating toxins. Foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spinach, beetroot, nuts and turmeric are beneficial. Supplements containing antioxidants like CoQ10, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids and N-acetylcysteine may also help. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, keeping BMI between 20 and 25, sleeping 7–8 hours daily and avoiding smoking and alcohol can be beneficial.
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At home, one should avoid mosquito coils, incense sticks, scented candles and room fresheners. Kitchens should have exhaust fans, and low-VOC paints and furniture should be used.
By adding an environmental lens to fertility care, clinicians can help improve sperm and egg quality, enhance the success rates of fertility treatments and support the journey towards a healthy pregnancy.
Source: News18
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The United States is freezing all asylum decisions, officials said Friday (November 28, 2025), as President Donald Trump hardens his anti-migrant stance after an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members this week in Washington. Wednesday's (November 26
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