World IVF Day 2026: Dr. Saroja Koppala Warns Fertility Awareness Is Lagging Behind Declining Fertility in India

Ahead of World IVF Day on July 25, Dr. Saroja Koppala, Clinical Director and Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Kukatpally, has called for greater fertility health awareness, warning that declining fertility and low public awareness could lead to a generational crisis in India. She stressed that fertility care should begin long before fertility treatment becomes necessary and urged healthcare providers, policymakers, employers, educators, and the media to promote preventive reproductive healthcare.

Fertility Is Declining While Awareness Remains Low

In an information note released ahead of World IVF Day, Dr. Saroja Koppala said that while the annual event celebrates the success of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in helping millions of individuals and couples achieve parenthood, it should also encourage a broader discussion on fertility health awareness.

She noted that infertility is increasingly affecting younger people, yet fertility remains one of the least-discussed areas of preventive healthcare.

According to Dr. Koppala, while people are encouraged to monitor:

• Heart health
• Blood sugar
• Blood pressure

from an early age, very few receive education about preserving reproductive health or understanding the factors that influence fertility.

Lack of Awareness Delays Treatment

Dr. Koppala identified a lack of awareness as one of the biggest challenges.

She said many people do not realise that fertility naturally declines with age, especially in women.

She also highlighted several medical conditions and lifestyle factors that can affect fertility, including:

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Thyroid disorders
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Certain lifestyle choices

According to her, many couples seek medical assistance only after years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, making treatment more complex, emotionally demanding, and financially burdensome.

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Fertility Care Should Begin Before Treatment Is Needed

Dr. Koppala said the message for World IVF Day should be that fertility care must begin long before fertility treatment becomes necessary.

She recommended a preventive approach similar to that used for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

She advised the following groups to consider timely fertility counselling and assessment:

• Individuals planning to delay parenthood
• People with irregular menstrual cycles
• Individuals with known medical conditions
• Those with previous reproductive health issues

She added that early awareness helps people make informed life choices, receive timely interventions, and, where appropriate, consider fertility preservation.

Infertility Is a Medical Condition, Not a Personal Failure

Dr. Koppala stressed the need to eliminate the stigma surrounding infertility.

She said infertility is a medical condition, not a personal failure, but many individuals and couples continue to suffer in silence because of:

• Social pressure
• Misconceptions
• Fear of judgment

She said encouraging open conversations and promoting scientifically accurate information would help normalise discussions around fertility and encourage more people to seek medical help without hesitation.

Better Access to Fertility Care Needed

Dr. Koppala said accessibility should become an important part of the national discussion on reproductive healthcare.

She stated that quality fertility care should not be limited to people who can afford it.

She called for:

• Broader insurance coverage for fertility treatments
• Fertility-related health benefits as part of employee wellness programmes

According to her, these measures would reduce the emotional and financial burden on couples while promoting equitable access to fertility care.

Role of Healthcare Providers, Policymakers and Media

Dr. Koppala said healthcare providers, policymakers, employers, educators, and the media all have an important role in increasing public awareness about fertility health.

She urged stakeholders to focus on:

• Education
• Early evaluation
• Prevention
• Timely access to evidence-based care

rather than waiting until infertility becomes a crisis.

Ahead of World IVF Day on July 25, Dr. Saroja Koppala, Clinical Director and Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Kukatpally, has warned that declining fertility combined with low public awareness could create a generational crisis in India. She called for preventive fertility care, early counselling, better insurance coverage, reduced stigma, and greater public awareness so that fertility health becomes a routine part of healthcare rather than a concern addressed only after infertility develops.