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Rachel V Thomas

Global Female Infertility Could Affect 80 Million Women Aged 35+ by 2036: Lancet Study

A new study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, &amp; Women's Health has revealed an alarming rise in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/infertility">infertility</a> rates among women aged 35 years and older.

The analysis, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, found that global female infertility could affect nearly 80 million women aged 35–49 by 2036 if current trends continue.

In 2023, an estimated 53.60 million women aged 35–49 were affected by infertility. Nearly 54 million women in this age group sought fertility care, including fertility testing and assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

According to the study, Asia has the highest need for fertility care particularly East Asia reported the highest regional burden, while Australasia has the lowest. At country level, the Central African Republic had the highest reported burden, while Nepal had the lowest.

Although disparities between low- and high-income regions have narrowed, the burden is shifting toward high-income settings, where women are more likely to delay pregnancy and seek fertility testing and treatment.

Also read: <a href="healthandme.com/parenting/fathers-day-ai-now-reading-sperm-giving-hope-of-fatherhood-to-infertile-men-article-154710147" data-type="tilCustomLink">AI Now Reading Sperm, Giving Hope of Fatherhood to Infertile Men</a>

The researchers said, "This shift reflects broader social and economic changes, including delayed family planning and greater access to fertility services in some affluent regions".

"Advanced-age female infertility represents a growing global health challenge. Despite improved regional equity, low-SDI countries continue to face significant burdens. This necessitates implementing tailored public health strategies and prioritizing resource allocation to mitigate future burdens," said the researchers from China, Hong Kong, and Singapore in the paper.

To address the rising demand, the authors called for 

<ul><li>expanding and integrating fertility services into primary health care, reducing financial barriers to treatment, </li><li>using innovative delivery methods, </li><li>mobile health tools, </li><li>improve equitable access to fertility care.</li></ul>

<h2>Infertility A Growing Global Health Concern</h2>

The World Health Organization defines infertility as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.

Approximately 8–12 per cent of reproductive-aged couples worldwide experience infertility, with the burden disproportionately affecting women aged 35–49 years.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/yoga-may-boost-fertility-and-hormonal-health-in-women-with-pcos-finds-aiims-studies-article-154644772" data-type="tilCustomLink">Yoga May Boost Fertility And Hormonal Health In Women With PCOS, Finds AIIMS Studies</a>

The study noted that this higher risk is largely biological, driven by age-related declines in ovarian reserve and oocyte quality, which reduce natural fertility, increase miscarriage risk, and lower the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

As populations age and socioeconomic transitions continue, the number of women exposed to advanced-age infertility risk is increasing, making it an increasingly important public health issue.

The researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study to provide what they describe as the first comprehensive assessment of infertility among women aged 35–49 across 204 countries and territories.

Since 1990, both the age-standardized prevalence rate and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to infertility have risen steadily, by 0.45 per cent and 0.47 per cent every year, respectively.

The study projects that infertility cases in women aged 35–49 will continue to rise, reaching nearly 80 million by 2036 in the absence of targeted interventions.

The researchers also found a 23.10% reduction in the relative disparity in infertility-related DALYs between low- and high-Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions since 1990, indicating progress in equity while highlighting persistent structural gaps in access to care.

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Global Female Infertility

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A new study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health has revealed an alarming rise in infertility rates among women aged 35 years and older.The analysis, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, found that global female infertility could affect nearly 80 million women aged 35–49 by 2036 if current trends continue.In 2023, an estimated 53.60 million women aged 35–49 were affected by infertility. Nearly 54 million women in this age group sought fertility care, including fertility testing and assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).Asia Bears Highest BurdenAccording to the study, Asia has the highest need for fertility care particularly East Asia reported the highest regional burden, while Australasia has the lowest. At country level, the Central African Republic had the highest reported burden, while Nepal had the lowest.Although disparities between low- and high-income regions have narrowed, the burden is shifting toward high-income settings, where women are more likely to delay pregnancy and seek fertility testing and treatment.Also read: AI Now Reading Sperm, Giving Hope of Fatherhood to Infertile MenThe researchers said, "This shift reflects broader social and economic changes, including delayed family planning and greater access to fertility services in some affluent regions"."Advanced-age female infertility represents a growing global health challenge. Despite improved regional equity, low-SDI countries continue to face significant burdens. This necessitates implementing tailored public health strategies and prioritizing resource allocation to mitigate future burdens," said the researchers from China, Hong Kong, and Singapore in the paper.To address the rising demand, the authors called for expanding and integrating fertility services into primary health care, reducing financial barriers to treatment, using innovative delivery methods, mobile health tools, improve equitable access to fertility care.Infertility A Growing Global Health ConcernThe World Health Organization defines infertility as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.Approximately 8–12 per cent of reproductive-aged couples worldwide experience infertility, with the burden disproportionately affecting women aged 35–49 years.Read More: Yoga May Boost Fertility And Hormonal Health In Women With PCOS, Finds AIIMS StudiesThe study noted that this higher risk is largely biological, driven by age-related declines in ovarian reserve and oocyte quality, which reduce natural fertility, increase miscarriage risk, and lower the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).As populations age and socioeconomic transitions continue, the number of women exposed to advanced-age infertility risk is increasing, making it an increasingly important public health issue.How Was The Study Conducted?The researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study to provide what they describe as the first comprehensive assessment of infertility among women aged 35–49 across 204 countries and territories.Since 1990, both the age-standardized prevalence rate and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to infertility have risen steadily, by 0.45 per cent and 0.47 per cent every year, respectively.The study projects that infertility cases in women aged 35–49 will continue to rise, reaching nearly 80 million by 2036 in the absence of targeted interventions.The researchers also found a 23.10% reduction in the relative disparity in infertility-related DALYs between low- and high-Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions since 1990, indicating progress in equity while highlighting persistent structural gaps in access to care.

global female infertility could affect 80 million women aged 35+ by 2036: lancet study

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