Diet Plays ‘Decisive Role’ in Fertility, Say Doctors

Amid growing concerns over infertility among couples, medical experts in Kashmir say that diet and nutrition play a decisive role in determining fertility outcomes for both men and women, influencing hormonal balance, reproductive health, and the quality of sperm and eggs.

- Observer News Service

Doctors say that changing food habits, increased consumption of processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and nutritional deficiencies are increasingly contributing to fertility-related problems, often going unnoticed until couples seek medical help.

Speaking to KNO, Dr Shaheena Khan, a gynaecologist at the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), said nutrition is one of the most important yet neglected pillars of reproductive health.

“Diet has a direct impact on fertility as it affects hormonal balance, ovulation, sperm production, and the overall health of reproductive organs in both men and women,” she said.

She highlighted the strong link between body weight and fertility, noting that both obesity and being underweight can disrupt normal reproductive functions. “Excess body fat can lead to hormonal imbalance and irregular ovulation, while being underweight may suppress ovulation altogether. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet is essential for conception,” she explained.