Lucknow: Male infertility is on the rise globally, yet social stigma and silence continue to delay diagnosis and treatment, warned senior gynecologist and IVF specialist Dr. Geeta Khanna while addressing the International HOPE CME 2025 held in Lucknow.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Khanna stressed that infertility is no longer solely a women’s health issue. “Every sixth couple in India is struggling with childlessness, and nearly 50% of cases are due to male factors. Yet, men hesitate to undergo testing, leaving the issue hidden,” she said.
Highlighting causes such as lifestyle disorders—obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, late marriages—along with medical conditions like PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, blocked tubes, and declining sperm quality, Dr. Khanna pointed to the sharp rise in infertility cases in Lucknow. “The fact that IVF centers in Lucknow have suddenly surged to around 60–65 reflects the growing epidemic, making the city a hub for assisted reproduction,” she noted.
She also expressed concern over the stigma that often leads to unfair blame on women. “Around 78% of couples face severe mental stress, and shockingly, 60% of women first approach faith healers instead of doctors, losing crucial time and resources,” she added. Dr. Khanna urged stricter regulation, ethical practice, and greater awareness to normalize infertility as a medical condition rather than a social taboo.
The HOPE CME 2025, themed “Changing Landscape: Infertility Treatments – Emerging Trends of 2025”, was jointly organized by the Indian Fertility Society (IFS), Lucknow Obstetrics and Gynecology Society (LOGS), and Ajanta HOPE Society at Hotel Clarks. The event was attended by healthcare professionals from India and abroad.
Chief Guest Colonel Dr. Pankaj Talwar, President of IFS and recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal, inaugurated the event, while retired IAS officer Diwakar Tripathi attended on behalf of Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh.
The CME featured leading IVF specialists, including Dr. Sonia Malik, Dr. K.D. Nayar, Dr. Poonam Nayar, Dr. Kuldeep Jain, and Dr. Yousef Alhawa (UAE). Sessions covered a wide range of topics: first-trimester bleeding in ART, artificial intelligence in IVF, resistant PCOS, obesity and fertility, men’s health, counseling, precision IVF protocols, embryology, ultrasound innovations, and new ART guidelines for high-risk pregnancies.
Adding practical depth, a high-level panel discussion on ethical practices and patient care emphasized the importance of counseling, regulation, and the responsible use of advanced technologies.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Khanna said: “The face of infertility treatment is changing rapidly. With timely diagnosis, ethical practice, counseling, and use of advanced technologies, we can transform the outcomes for couples battling childlessness. Infertility is a disease, not a stigma—only when men and women both come forward can silence turn into hope.”
