Smog’s Hidden Impact on Fertility
After Diwali, Delhi’s air often turns grey and heavy with pollution. While people worry about coughing or eye irritation, doctors say the smog’s hidden danger lies in its effect on fertility. According to Dr Puneet Rana Arora, IVF expert at CIFAR, Gurugram, polluted air can quietly damage reproductive health in both men and women by disturbing hormones and reducing sperm and egg quality.
Pollutants such as PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide enter the lungs and bloodstream. These fine particles create oxidative stress and upset the body’s natural hormonal balance. “Over time, this can affect ovulation in women and lower sperm count in men, making it harder to conceive,” explains Dr Arora.
For women, prolonged exposure to smog can cause irregular menstrual cycles, poor egg quality, and early menopause. It may even increase the risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications. Pregnant women breathing polluted air are more likely to deliver preterm or low-birth-weight babies as harmful particles can cross the placenta and affect the baby’s growth.
How Men Are Affected
Men are not spared either. Smog can lead to a drop in sperm count, weak motility, and hormonal imbalance, especially lowering testosterone levels. Polluted air also carries heavy metals and hydrocarbons that can damage sperm DNA, which may harm fertility and even future generations. “Toxic particles can cause DNA fragmentation in sperm,” warns Dr Arora. “This not only affects conception but also the baby’s long-term health.”
Even after the smog clears, pollutants stay in the environment and continue to harm health. To reduce the risk, doctors advise avoiding outdoor activities when AQI is severe, using air purifiers, wearing N95 masks, and eating antioxidant-rich foods like citrus fruits, nuts, and leafy greens.
Dr Arora concludes, “Clean air is not just for easy breathing—it’s essential for protecting fertility. Smog may fade, but its damage to reproductive health can last for years.”
