In an insightful interaction with IndiGlobal Media Network, Dr. Sumina Reddy unpacks the often-misunderstood realities of infertility — from when waiting becomes risky, to how age, lifestyle, and hidden health conditions quietly shape a woman’s fertility journey. She also sheds light on why infertility is frequently the body’s first warning sign of deeper health issues, and how modern fertility care must go beyond pregnancy rates to truly support a woman’s physical and emotional well-being.
How long should women try to conceive before seeking medical evaluation for infertility – and does age change that timeline?
Medically, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse in women under the age of 35. This recommendation is based on strong evidence showing that nearly 80–85% of healthy couples will conceive naturally within one year. For younger women with regular cycles and no known medical issues, giving the body this time is reasonable and often successful.
However, age significantly changes this timeline. Female fertility is closely linked to egg number and quality, both of which decline with age-more noticeably after 35 and more steeply after 38. For women between 35 and 39, medical evaluation is advised after 6 months of trying, not a year. And for women 40 and above, I recommend seeking fertility assessment as soon as pregnancy is desired, even before attempting for several months.
There are also situations where waiting is not advisable, regardless of age. Women with irregular periods, severe pain, known endometriosis, fibroids, thyroid disorders, previous pelvic infections, or prior ovarian surgery should consult a fertility specialist early. Similarly, male factors contribute to infertility in nearly 40–50% of couples, so evaluation should always involve both partners.
To what extent do lifestyle factors (stress, diet, weight, sleep, environmental exposures) truly affect female fertility?
Lifestyle factors do influence female fertility, but they act more as modifiers rather than primary causes. Stress alone does not directly cause infertility, but chronic stress can disrupt ovulation, menstrual regularity, and sleep, indirectly affecting reproductive hormones. Emotional well-being still matters-especially since infertility itself is a major stressor.
Weight and metabolism have the strongest proven impact. Both obesity and being underweight can impair ovulation, egg quality, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes. Even a modest 5–10% weight correction can significantly improve fertility in many women.
Diet affects fertility through hormonal and inflammatory pathways. Balanced diets rich in whole foods support ovulatory health, while extreme dieting or nutritional deficiencies can be harmful. Sleep also plays a key role; chronic sleep deprivation and night-shift work can disrupt reproductive hormones.
Environmental exposures – smoking, excess alcohol, pollution, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals – have clear negative effects on egg quality and ovarian reserve.
Healthy lifestyle choices support fertility and treatment success – but they cannot override age or underlying medical conditions
Is infertility primarily a reproductive issue, or an early warning sign of broader women’s health conditions (e.g., PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid disease)?
Infertility is often viewed as a problem limited to the reproductive system, but in clinical practice, it is frequently an early warning sign of broader underlying health conditions. The ovaries, uterus, thyroid, metabolism, and immune system are deeply interconnected, and disturbances in these systems often first present as difficulty conceiving.
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Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not just causes of infertility; they reflect wider metabolic and hormonal imbalances, including insulin resistance and increased long-term risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Endometriosis, another common cause of infertility, is now recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect bowel, bladder, and overall quality of life well beyond reproduction. Thyroid disorders, even when subtle, can disrupt ovulation, implantation, and pregnancy maintenance, while also impacting weight, energy levels, and mental health.
Importantly, infertility evaluation often uncovers issues such as autoimmune conditions, metabolic syndrome, or premature ovarian insufficiency – conditions that have lifelong health implications. From an evidence-based perspective, infertility should not be seen merely as a failure to conceive, but as a valuable opportunity for early diagnosis and preventive healthcare.
Addressing infertility thoughtfully can therefore improve not only reproductive outcomes, but a woman’s long-term health and well-being.
How well do current fertility treatments address women’s physical and mental health beyond pregnancy outcomes?
Contemporary fertility treatments have significantly improved pregnancy and live-birth outcomes, but their approach to women’s physical and mental health beyond conception is still a work in progress. From a physical standpoint, treatments are now far safer and more individualized. Advances such as tailored stimulation protocols, OHSS-free strategies, single-embryo transfer, and cycle segmentation have reduced medical risks and treatment burden, reflecting a more responsible, patient-centered approach.
However, the emotional and psychological dimensions of infertility remain less consistently addressed. Robust evidence shows that women undergoing fertility treatment experience levels of anxiety and depression comparable to those seen in chronic illnesses. While this is increasingly acknowledged, structured mental-health support is not yet uniformly integrated into fertility care across clinics.
Encouragingly, the field is evolving. There is growing recognition that fertility treatment success should not be measured solely by pregnancy rates, but also by safety, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Clinics that integrate counselling, realistic expectation setting, and compassionate communication consistently report better patient engagement and satisfaction.
True progress in fertility care lies in treating the woman – not just the uterus – ensuring that physical health, emotional resilience, and dignity remain central to every treatment journey.
About Dr. Sumina Reddy
Dr. Sumina Reddy is a distinguished Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Infertility Specialist, and Minimal Access Gynecologic Surgeon, with over a decade and half of experience in women’s health and reproductive medicine. She is the Founder Director and Chief Fertility Consultant at Fertilica IVF & Womencare Center, Hyderabad, where she leads a patient-centric, evidence-based fertility program focused on ethical and personalized care.
An alumna of Osmania Medical College, Dr. Reddy completed her M.B.B.S. with distinction and multiple gold medals, secured first rank with distinction in her M.S. in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Gandhi Medical College. She further earned the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) and pursued advanced subspecialty training in reproductive medicine and gynecologic laparoscopy, international diplomas from the United Kingdom and Germany.
Dr. Reddy has extensive expertise in infertility management, IVF, operative hysteroscopy, and advanced laparoscopic surgery. She is also the Clinical Director of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Fertility at Kiran Multispeciality Hospital. A recipient of multiple academic honors and Times of India awards, she is an active contributor to research and a member of leading national and international professional societies.