UPSC EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : Breaking the taboo around men’s reproductive health
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: The Hindu
• Prelims: Current events of national importance, WHO, male reproductive system, ICMR, ART, intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) etc
• Mains GS Paper I & II: Development and management of social sectors/services related to Health and education etc
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
• In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that globally, between 60 million to 80 million couples struggle with infertility.
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
Health:(WHO)
• A certain totality of health to the realms of mental and social well-being and happiness beyond physical fitness, and an absence of disease and disability.
• We cannot achieve health in its wider definition without addressing health determinants.
Prevalence of infertility in India:
• It remains unspecified according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) National Guidelines for Accreditation, Supervision and Regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Clinics (2005).
• WHO’s data: approximately 13 million to 19 million Indian couples may face infertility issues. This incidence is only set to increase, shaped by factors such as environmental pollution and adverse lifestyle shifts.
• This incidence is only set to increase, shaped by factors such as environmental pollution and adverse lifestyle shifts.
• Male infertility accounts for 50% of all infertility cases in the country.
Causes of male infertility:
• Infertility in men can manifest as an absence of sperm, low sperm count, low sperm motility, or both.
• The form of infertility can depend on various factors that include: stress hormonal imbalance genetic anatomical and epigenetic factors exposure to certain infections.
• hormonal imbalance
• anatomical and epigenetic factors
• exposure to certain infections.
• External factors such as environmental pollution and an indiscriminate use of pesticides on crops, plastics, and plasticisers can also affect fertility and influence the epigenetic makeup.
• Lifestyle factors such as diets, sleep patterns, work schedules, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
• Growing preference for late marriages among youth, creating challenges due to declining sperm quality with age.
How to safeguard Male reproductive health?
• Be aware of reproductive and sexual health and the factors that influence it, Particularly during the formative period from secondary school to junior college. Parents, particularly fathers, play a critical role and must educate their sons on the issue.
• Particularly during the formative period from secondary school to junior college.
• Parents, particularly fathers, play a critical role and must educate their sons on the issue.
• At an individual level, young men should proactively adopt good lifestyle practices, ensuring healthy eating, regular sleep patterns, and eliminating the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants.
• While mobile phones and laptops have become occupational hazards in most fields, their excessive usage, in proximity to the body, should be avoided.
• Stress is a major deterrent to reproductive health, and regular exercise, yoga, and meditation can reduce its adverse effects on well-being.
• Couples together must adopt healthy lifestyle practices to safeguard their reproductive health and enhance their well-being.
Way Forward
• Lifestyle interventions play a critical preventative role, it is important to discuss treatments available for those grappling with infertility.
• Seek help from a medical professional to identify and treat the issue.
• The medical professional should guide the person to undergo a routine semen analysis, conducted after a two to seven day period of sexual abstinence (WHO recommended). If the issue is physical or anatomical such as blocked sperm flow, undescended testicles, or an abnormal urethral opening, these can be fixed with surgery.
• If the issue is physical or anatomical such as blocked sperm flow, undescended testicles, or an abnormal urethral opening, these can be fixed with surgery.
• Issue is an absence of sperm, treatments such as intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) should be undertaken. Couples facing this issue can opt for donor sperm insemination or adoption. In cases where the sperm count is very low, there is a chance for the couple to conceive naturally if sperm motility is very good.
• Couples facing this issue can opt for donor sperm insemination or adoption.
• In cases where the sperm count is very low, there is a chance for the couple to conceive naturally if sperm motility is very good.
• If both sperm count and motility are low, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or ICSI are advocated.
• In cases of male infertility due to gene mutation/s, genetic counseling is of utmost importance before seeking the support of assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF and ICSI.
• There is an urgent need for open and informed discussions on reproductive health.
• Recognise and address the significant issue of male reproductive health.
• Awareness building, sex education, and timely medical interventions are key to supporting couples on their journey to parenthood.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
• Besides being a moral imperative of the Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyze.(UPSC 2021)
(200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)
Editorial Analysis – 12 July 2024 [PDF]