Muzamil Nazir
Anantnag: Behind the closed doors of homes across Jammu and Kashmir, a growing number of couples are confronting a deeply personal crisis that is increasingly becoming a public health concern. Doctors and counselors say infertility cases are rising steadily in the region, straining marriages, affecting mental health and exposing the harsh weight of social stigma.
While official district-wise figures remain limited, global and national data underscore the magnitude of the issue. The World Health Organization estimates that one in six people worldwide experience infertility during their lifetime, calling it a significant public health challenge. The agency defines infertility as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse.
In India, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) shows declining fertility rates nationwide, alongside a measurable proportion of couples reporting difficulty in conception, particularly in urban populations and among couples marrying later in life. Health experts say Jammu and Kashmir reflects similar patterns, compounded by lifestyle shifts and social pressures unique to the region.
Clinics See Growing Footfall.
At tertiary care institutions such as Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Government Medical College Anantnag, doctors report a noticeable increase in couples seeking fertility evaluation over the past five years.
“Earlier, couples would wait several years before consulting a specialist. Now many come within the first year of marriage,” said a senior gynecologist at Government Medical College Anantnag, who requested anonymity as she was not authorized to speak publicly.
Medical professionals attribute the rise to delayed marriages, rising stress levels, obesity, hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, untreated reproductive infections and environmental factors. Male infertility, doctors emphasize, accounts for nearly 40% to 50% of cases globally, yet social blame continues to fall disproportionately on women.
Marriage Under Pressure
In a society where parenthood is often seen as central to marital stability, childlessness can quickly trigger scrutiny from extended families. Counselors in South Kashmir say pressure begins within months of marriage, especially in joint family systems.
“Marriage here is closely tied to the expectation of children,” said a family counselor based in Anantnag. “When conception does not happen, the woman is usually the first to be questioned, even before medical tests are done.”
Legal experts note that while infertility is rarely cited as a standalone ground in divorce petitions, it frequently surfaces during counseling or mediation as a source of persistent conflict. In some cases, it leads to separation or second marriages.
Mental Health Consequences
Psychologists warn that infertility can result in depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and social withdrawal. Women often report feelings of inadequacy and isolation, particularly in rural areas where societal expectations remain rigid.
Men, too, face silent psychological strain. Cultural notions linking fertility with masculinity discourage many from seeking testing or counseling.
“The trauma is layered — medical, emotional and social,” said Dr. Arshid Ahmad, a senior clinical psychologist in Anantnag. “Couples internalize blame. The secrecy around infertility deepens mental health distress.”
Experts say the lack of open conversation prevents early intervention, both medically and psychologically.
Social Stigma Persists
In several parts of the Valley, infertility is still surrounded by superstition and moral judgment. Women may be excluded from certain ceremonies or face insensitive remarks within their communities.
Although assisted reproductive technologies are available in urban centers such as Srinagar, high treatment costs and social hesitation limit access for many families. Health officials argue that awareness campaigns and premarital reproductive health education are urgently needed.
Public health advocates stress that infertility is a medical condition — not a moral failing.
A Call for Compassion and Policy Response
Experts recommend comprehensive fertility screening for both partners, integration of mental health counseling into reproductive care and community sensitization programs led by health departments, educators and religious leaders.
They also call for more region-specific data collection to better understand the scope of the issue in Jammu and Kashmir.
As global statistics show infertility affecting millions, the growing number of cases in the Valley signals a challenge that extends beyond medicine. It is testing marital bonds, reshaping family dynamics and revealing the urgent need for empathy in a society where silence often magnifies suffering.
For many couples in Jammu and Kashmir, the struggle is not only about having a child — it is about preserving dignity, mental well-being and the very foundation of marriage amid mounting social pressure.
