Infertility

Overview

According to the Report Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021, published by the World Health Organization in 2023 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978920068315), the prevalence of the infertility rate is - globally - continuously increasing. The report reports data from a meta-analysis of 133 studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 in various countries. In light of the study's findings, about 17.5% of the adult population has an infertile condition (17.8% in high-income countries; 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries). Despite the magnitude of the problem, strategies for promoting preconception health and preventing, diagnosing and treating infertility are not widely and accessible. Although the report does not investigate the causes of the phenomenon, the higher rate of infertility in high-income countries confirms the etiological relationship between exposure to environmental pollution and increased risk of infertility or hypofertility. as well as between lifestyles and predisposition to infertility.

On the other hand, it is well known that among the risk factors for infertility in women there are – in addition to the "age" factor – pollution of the living and working environment, lifestyles (diet; physical activity) and risky behaviors (smoking, alcohol, drug consumption). The "age" factor is, however, the most relevant. The change in lifestyle habits and social context has led to the postponement of the age of seeking the first pregnancy with the progressive approach of the age at which fertility begins to decrease and abortion rates to increase.

The increased time between the onset of sexual activity and the search for the first pregnancy means that there is greater exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and the side effects of contraceptives and/or abortions and the aggravation of benign and malignant pathologies of the reproductive system.

(Linda J. Heffner, Advanced Maternal Age — How Old Is Too Old? N Engl J Med 2004; 351:1927-1929. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp048087)

The "age" factor plays a less prominent role - although not entirely absent - in male infertility. Pollution of the living and working environment, lifestyles, risky behaviors and pathologies of the reproductive system play an important role in the onset of infertility conditions.

(A Systemic Review on Use of Medicinal Plant for Management of Male Infertilityy, Thakur A, Sahu D, Kaur K, et al. Jorunal of Natural Remedies.DOI: 10.18311/jnr/2024/35142)