Infertility Plagues over 40 Million Chinese

Over 40 million Chinese people are found to be infertile this year, accounting for 12.5 percent of the country's reproductive population, a dramatic increase from only three percent in the 1990s, according to a recent study released by the China Population Association (CPA).

Over 40 million Chinese people are found to be infertile this year, accounting for 12.5 percent of the country's reproductive population, according to a recent study released by the China Population Association (CPA). [yznews.com.cn]

Many medical experts have chimed in to agree with the study. President of the Peking University Third Hospital Qiao Jie said that her hospital has seen more and more patients seeking medical reproductive assistance in recent years. Guo Yihong, another medical professional from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, added that over 150, 000 patients came to her hospital for infertility treatment last year.

Medical experts blame the rise on unhealthy lifestyles, work pressures and environmental pollution.

Zhang Cuilian, a medical expert from the Henan Provincial People's Hospital, says that 70 percent of female infertility and 50 percent of male infertility is caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits such as excessive drinking. Late marriages are also a factor.

Meanwhile, workplace stress has also contributed to the rise in infertile couples in China, according to Tan Li, a medical expert from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Tan added that long-term stress could lead to several reproductive problems.

Medical experts also warn that environmental pollution has impacted negatively on people's fertility.

To address this situation, Chinese people are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle, do more physical exercise, and avoid delaying marriage for too long.

(Source: xinhuanet.com/Translated by womenofchina.cn)