Srinagar: Late marriages, Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), stress and changing lifestyle are some of the major reasons for the increasing rate of infertility among people in Kashmir, claims Valley based fertility experts.

Dr Syed Sajjad Hussain, a valley based specialist in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) who runs a “Med Age Clinic” said that infertility among men and women in Kashmir are on rise. There are scores of women who go for assisted reproduction.The infertility specialist said that infertility is found among 45 percent males and 35 percent females in Kashmir.

According to him, more than 10 patients related to the infertility disorders are visiting his clinic on a daily basis. Besides that, more than scores of patients have opted for IVF at his clinic.“In males, after thirty years of age, there is a reduction in sperm count while in females their egg count starts going down once they attain the same age,” he said.Hussain said that Azoospermia and Asthenospermia are some main causes for the male infertility, while as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Polyps in the uterus, Endometriosis or fibroids, Scar tissue or adhesions, Chronic medical illness, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy are some of the reasons for female infertility.

Another specialist, Dr Bilquis Jameel too echoed the same views.She said that there are different reasons for male and female infertility in Kashmir.“PCOS is one of the most common diseases affecting mostly young women including teenagers of Kashmir,” Dr Bilquis said.

Another specialist, Dr Bilquis Jameel too echoed the same views.She said that there are different reasons for male and female infertility in Kashmir.“PCOS is one of the most common diseases affecting mostly young women including teenagers of Kashmir,” Dr Bilquis said.

The doctor said that 70 percent of patients visiting her clinic are infertility cases. “Out of 70 percent, 50 percent cases are successfully treated. Most of the patients have less Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and this test gives us information about the fertility potential,” she said.Besides, experts believe that PCOS, stress, obesity and other hormonal changes in women are contributing to infertility.

Dr Gulshan Snober, senior consultant, Gynaecologist, J&K health services told Rising Kashmir that they are receiving 50 percent infertility cases of males and females.“Young girls are eating too much processed and junk food due to which they develop many health complications. Most of the patients have a quantity of eggs, but the quality is poor,” she said.

Dr Snober said that there is stigma related to infertility in the valley. “Earlier, couples were hesitant to visit clinics, but now they are opening up and are even willing to go for IVFs,” she said.She said male infertility is also common in the valley and stress is one of the major reasons behind it.

One of the patients, Aabida Saleem (name changed), who visits Med-Age clinic said that for the first year of her marriage everything was fine. But when she did not conceive after three years of marriage, her in-laws raised questions.“I was also worried,” said Saleem, “I consumed enough medicines but nothing happened.”
At last, recently in 2020, a doctor suggested a follicular study at the clinic. “I did some more tests and everything was going fine.”

“I had a baby via In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)- a process in which the gamete formation takes place outside the woman’s body.”Another patient, Shabeena Akhtar (name changed) from Srinagar, is finding it difficult to conceive. She was married in 2017 and had visited more than five clinics in the Valley, but till now she is still struggling to conceive.

“For first few years my husband’s sperm count was less due to which we were not able to conceive. But after going through different tests her eggs were not rupturing which is hindering the process of giving birth to a baby,” said Akhtar.

After visiting many hospitals and clinics in the valley, she decided to go outside for the treatment. “I have recently visited hospitals outside the valley. But the doctors did not find any problem and did not suggest I go for IVF. I hope God will help me and I too will be blessed with a child,” she said.