A recent survey on Gen Z Insights, conducted by Motherhood Hospitals and Nova IVF Fertility, polled over 200 Gen Z women aged 23–30 across metros and tier-1 cities in India. The findings highlight how young Indian women perceive reproductive health, fertility timelines, and options available to them. Notably, more than half believe that fertility declines significantly after 35, while 41% rely on social media as their primary source of reproductive health information.
Fertility and Timelines
Gen Z women are approaching parenthood with a planned mindset, similar to how they manage finances or skincare. About 40% intend to try for pregnancy between ages 28 and 32, while 25% frequently ask about fertility timelines and pregnancy. Most of their queries to fertility specialists revolve around the “right age to conceive” and the “risks of late pregnancies.” However, 15–20% lack clarity on the biological clock, indicating the need for stronger awareness campaigns.
AMH: The New BMI
The survey revealed that 35% of women know about Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a critical fertility marker that measures egg quantity, and 10% have already undergone the test. Yet, 65% remain unaware of AMH, showing a major gap in fertility awareness. Since AMH can be assessed through a simple blood test, experts call for making it as routine as a BMI check to empower young women with informed reproductive choices.
Egg Freezing: Awareness Versus Action
Although 56% of respondents have heard about egg freezing, most admitted they lack detailed knowledge. Only 10% are considering it, largely due to competing priorities such as career goals, financial security, travel, or not having found the right partner yet. Social media has helped break taboos around reproductive health, but it continues to be the dominant, and sometimes unreliable, source of information.
Lifestyle, Fertility Conditions, and Preventive Care
Fertility specialists note a rising incidence of PCOS, obesity, thyroid issues, and endometriosis among young women. Alarmingly, 20% diagnosed with such conditions remain unconcerned about seeking medical help. Dr. Sharvari Mundhe, Consultant–Fertility Specialist at Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru, stressed that lifestyle choices—ranging from processed food consumption and alcohol use to fad diets and unsupervised supplements—play a crucial role in fertility health. She emphasized the importance of fertility awareness from a preventive care perspective.
Experts Stress Early Testing and Egg Freezing Awareness
Dr. Rashmi Niphadkar, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Pune, pointed out that Indian women’s ovaries age six years faster than those of Caucasian women. She observed AMH decline in women as early as their late 20s. “While fertility decline is gradual, the most significant drop occurs after 35,” she explained. She advocated for making fertility testing part of routine preventive checkups and called for more education on the right age to freeze eggs, as queries around egg freezing are steadily increasing.
Falling Fertility Rate: A Call for Policy and Corporate Support
With India’s fertility rate steadily declining across states, experts urge policymakers and corporate leaders to act. The survey found that 27% of women want to delay parenthood due to financial readiness and lifestyle priorities. This trend highlights the need for corporate benefits covering fertility testing and egg freezing, ensuring that young professionals can make informed choices without compromising their aspirations.
Rise of DINKs: Childbearing as a Choice
As per the press release, the survey also revealed that 18% of Gen Z women do not want children, reflecting the growing Double Income, No Kids (DINK) lifestyle. The younger generation views childbearing as a choice, not a compulsion, and openly engages in conversations about being childfree.
Fertility Affects Both Men and Women
Although this survey focused on Gen Z women, experts emphasize that infertility impacts both genders equally. Male infertility contributes as much as female infertility to couples’ reproductive challenges, underscoring the need for awareness and solutions that include both partners.