India’s fertility rate has come a long way, from nearly six children per woman in the 1960s to just 2 in 2023. While it’s almost at the replacement level, experts warn that there’s still work to be done. In the 1960s, India's fertility rate was 5.92, meaning an average woman would have nearly six children during her lifetime. This was much higher than what was needed to maintain a stable population.
Today, the fertility rate has dropped to 2, just 0.1 below the replacement level, which is the number of children a woman needs to have to replace herself and her generation. However, experts warn that even with this decline, there are still concerns to address.
The decline in fertility rates isn’t just because more couples are choosing not to have children. Experts and data show that infertility rates among Indians have also been on the rise, contributing to this shift.
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), for men, infertility is defined as the inability to make a woman pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse.
In India, male infertility is a growing concern, accounting for 40-50% of infertility cases among young couples, much higher than the global average of 15%. When experts were asked why this discrepancy exists between India and other countries, the answer was clear: it all boils down to changing lifestyles.
Dr Durga G. Rao, co-founder of Oasis Fertility, explains that our lifestyles and the environment around us, like pollution, pesticides, and the air we breathe greatly affect our health and can lead to infertility. Factors such as stress, bad diets, lack of sleep, and pollution also impact male fertility, making it more important than ever to consider ways to preserve fertility.
Dr. Sheetal Jindal, a senior consultant at Jindal IVF, adds that other reasons include late marriages, busy work lives, obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, and drug use.
As a result, many men, especially those in their late 20s to early 40s, are seeing a drop in sperm quality and count, leading to an increased need for options like sperm freezing to preserve fertility.
Introducing sperm freezing
As awareness around male infertility grows, sperm freezing has become a useful option for preserving fertility. Also called sperm cryopreservation, it allows men to store their sperm for future use. This is particularly helpful for men with low sperm counts or those facing potential infertility in the future, as well as for men undergoing medical treatments that may affect their fertility.
Dr. Nishi Singh, head of fertility at Prime IVF calls sperm freezing a lifesaver for men whose fertility may be affected by medical treatments, like cancer treatments, high-risk jobs, or even just wanting to keep their options open.
The process starts with collecting a semen sample, which can be done through natural ejaculation or, in certain cases, surgery. Dr Rao adds that the sperm sample is then cleaned and mixed with a special solution to protect it before freezing. This ensures the sperm stays healthy and can still fertilize an egg after being thawed.
The sperm is then stored at very low temperatures in liquid nitrogen, where it can stay safe and usable for up to 20 years. In India, sperm freezing has become an affordable option, with storage costs ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per year.
Is there a rise in sperm freezing?
Yes, sperm freezing is becoming more popular in India. Although exact numbers are hard to find, experts agree that the trend is growing.
Dr Singh says most men who opt for sperm freezing are in their late 20s to 40s. The rise in demand is linked to lifestyle choices, medical issues, and more people becoming aware of fertility preservation options. Men working in high-risk jobs or those with demanding schedules are also choosing sperm freezing to have the flexibility to focus on their careers without worrying about family planning right away.