In recent times, infertility has become an increasingly common concern among young adults trying to conceive. Fertility has long been associated with factors such as age, medical history, and lifestyle choices, including diet and physical activity. However, recent studies suggest that office environments play a significant role in increasing the risk of infertility.

Dr Ruby Yadav, DAME HEALTH, MBBS, MS- Obstetrics and Gynaecology shares, “For office workers, working for long hours leads to a sedentary lifestyle; increased stress and irregular eating patterns have been contributing to the growing trend of reproductive health issues. Hence, understanding these risks and how to mitigate them is essential for office workers who are planning to conceive or are already facing fertility challenges,” she said.

Dr Yadav explains that the most significant factor that affects male fertility is a sedentary lifestyle, and office-going people spend a minimum of eight hours a day seated at a desk with little or no movement. This sedentary lifestyle can have serious complications, like:

- Raised scrotal temperature negatively impacts sperm quality and quantity.

- Cooler temperatures produce optimal sperm quantity and quality, as excessive heat can impair male fertility.

Stress in various forms; psychological, social, physical, or biological—is common and can negatively affect male fertility, particularly in couples trying to conceive. Psychological stress can reduce sperm quality by affecting its:

- Motility,

- Morphology, and

- Sperm count.

“Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. This lowers the testosterone and interferes with sperm production,” Dr Yadav shares.

Diet plays a key role in fertility. While poor eating habits like increased intake of processed foods, red meat, sugar, and unhealthy fats are linked to lower semen quality and decreased sperm count and motility, a good diet can improve:

- Sperm quality,

- Reduce DNA damage,

- Lower sperm fragmentation.

Studies have shown that men have better sperm motility and decreased oxidative stress, whose diet includes:

- Whole grains,

- Fruits and vegetables,

- Lean proteins (legumes and fish).

Dr Yadav shares nutrients like Vitamins C and E, Zinc, Selenium, and Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for good sperm health.

The increase in the usage of mobile phones has raised concerns about the potential effects of electromagnetic radiation on male fertility. Though mobile phones emit low-level radiofrequency radiation, it can affect sperm quality. Extended exposures, especially when phones are being carried in the pant pockets, close to the reproductive organs, have been linked to:

- Lower sperm concentration,

- Low sperm motility, and

- DNA damage.

“Usage of laptops on the lap can increase the exposure to the radiation, potentially raising the scrotal temperature. These radiations can also cause oxidative stress that damages sperm membranes and DNA,” Dr Yadav said.

In the highly competitive corporate world, the boundaries between work and personal life are very thin and can become blurred if not balanced appropriately. Factors affecting reproductive health and leading to burnout are:

- Overworking,

- Longer commutes,

- Lack of physical activity, and

- Lack of relaxation.

Poor work-life balance can be a cause of

- Stress,

- Poor dietary habits,

- A sedentary lifestyle, and

- Inadequate sleep.

All of these could increase the risk of infertility.

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