The Surprising Link Between Global Warming and Female Fertility

The effects of global warming can impact female fertility and reproductive health. The article "Four lost pregnancies. Five weeks of IVF injections. One storm. (Teirstein & Kutz, 2024)", explores this unexpected correlation and the far-reaching effects of global warming. The authors highlighted the fertility issues of a specific couple, which included recurrent miscarriages. This led the couple to seek help from a fertility specialist. The article outlined the details of global warming's impact on their fertility journey. The couple underwent five weeks of intensive invitro fertilization. This grueling, time-sensitive process involved precisely timed medications and multiple procedures. IVF is also extremely expensive, with a cost between $25,000 to $30,000, which was mostly out-of-pocket costs as insurance is not required to cover IVF in their state.

While the effects of global warming on climate change are apparent, it seems odd to consider how global warming can impact human health. As the planet becomes warmer, stronger and more extreme storms are created. For the couple in the article, the final procedure at the end of the five-week IVF process was delayed. A hurricane in their area that occurred the day of their planned embryo transfer procedure forced the fertility clinic to close. This cancellation meant the couple would have to restart the five-week IVF process, the news of which was devastating to the couple. Beyond this direct effect of extreme weather caused by global warming creating a storm that prevented the couple from receiving care, there is also a psychological effect from the threat of damaging storms and expensive procedures having an undesirable outcome.

Citation

Teirstein, Z. & Kutz, J. (2024, May 30) .Four lost pregnancies. Five weeks of IVF injections. One storm. Grist.org. https://grist.org/health/fertility-climate-change-ivf-hurricane/