English Section

Infertility on the rise in Poland and the world: study

16.09.2022 14:00
Amid shrinking populations, infertility has grown to become one of the factors behind low birth rates in the developed world, "National Geographic" has reported.
Polands fertility rate stands at 1.46, much below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.
Poland's fertility rate stands at 1.46, much below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.Pixabay

Infertility is defined by the World Health Organisation as the "failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse."

It is estimated that the disease of the reproductive system affects every fifth couple, which translates into some 1.5m Polish people suffering from the condition.

Causes of infertility

"Infertility pertains to both men and women. It might result from hormonal imbalances, anatomical abnormalities, systemic diseases, as well as diseases of modern civilisation, caused by high stress levels, an inadequate diet or an unhealthy lifestyle," National Geographic wrote, citing a report on infertility.

Studies show that the average sperm count of a man living in a developed country dropped by 59 percent between 1973 and 2011.

At the same time, Poland, alongside Armenia, Albania and Ireland, has been branded as one of the countries with "exceptionally poor" access to fertility treatment and no funding available for those afflicted by the condition, according to Fertility Europe.

(pjm/pm)

Source: National Geographic