11 Reproductive Health Facts from India and Beyond That Need More Awareness

6. Infertility is common but often stigmatized and misunderstood

Infertility affects many couples across India, yet cultural stigma and misinformation can make it a lonely and expensive journey. WHO highlights infertility as a public-health issue with emotional, social, and economic consequences. Many couples delay seeking care because of shame or the assumption that problems will resolve naturally. When they do seek help, cost and uneven availability of diagnostic and treatment services limit options, pushing some toward unregulated or costly interventions. Men’s role in fertility is often neglected, even though male factors contribute significantly to infertility. Expanding affordable diagnostic services at district hospitals, normalizing conversations about fertility in primary-care settings, and ensuring respectful counseling can reduce stigma. Community campaigns that explain that infertility has medical causes and that both partners may need evaluation help shift norms. Practical steps include training ASHAs and primary-care staff to recognize when to refer couples and building affordable public-sector fertility evaluation pathways so care does not depend solely on private clinics.