Heatwaves May Be Silently Affecting Your Hormones, Periods And Fertility

The impact of rising temperatures is increasingly being seen in women’s health. Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, a gynaecologist and IVF expert, Nurture IVF Clinic, notes that heat stress can directly affect hormonal balance.

“During extreme heat conditions, we see women coming in with complaints of irregular menstrual cycles, delayed periods, and worsening symptoms of conditions like PCOS. The body’s hormonal system is extremely sensitive to environmental stress, and prolonged heat exposure can disrupt normal functioning in ways that are often overlooked,” she says.

Highlighting a broader reproductive health concern, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Consultant Gynaecologist & IVF Specialist at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, and Fortis Hospitals, Delhi & Chandigarh,

adds, “The steady rise in temperature across Delhi is not just an environmental concern but also a reproductive health issue. We have been witnessing extreme heat during the summer months for the last couple of years. This is making pregnancy more challenging for some women due to poor egg quality and implantation difficulties. As a result, we are seeing reduced chances of natural conception and a higher dependence on assisted reproductive techniques like IVF, where environmental and lifestyle factors are increasingly influencing treatment outcomes.”

Men’s health is also being impacted, particularly in terms of fertility. Dr Vineet Malhotra, Head of Urology and Director, VNA Hospital, explains, “Rising temperatures are a serious but often overlooked risk factor for male infertility. The testicles require a cooler environment than the rest of the body to function properly and produce sperm. Even a slight increase in temperature can affect sperm count and quality. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially in urban areas, is associated with lower sperm quality, genetic mutations, and increased infertility in men.”