Introduction: Infertility globally poses significant physical, emotional, social, and economic challenges. Despite extensive research on infertility in the general population, there needs to be more understanding regarding its prevalence and effects on healthcare professionals. This article addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of infertility in the healthcare industry, highlighting its unique aspects and implications. Methods: The search strategy for this literature review yielded 1,323 studies from the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. After duplicate removal and screening of the articles using the authors’ inclusion and exclusion criteria, 54 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 21 articles included surveys, cross-sectional, and cohort studies, followed by reviews. Results: Female healthcare workers, especially emergency physicians and surgeons, face higher infertility risks due to occupational stressors, with 76% of female surgeons utilising assisted reproductive technology for conception, well above the general population. Sleep deprivation from shift work exacerbates infertility, while long hours increase pregnancy complications. Hazards like radiation and chemicals contribute to menstrual disorders and congenital anomalies. Gender disparities persist, impacting career and lifestyle choices among otolaryngologists. Discussion: Infertility poses challenges for healthcare professionals, with a limited understanding of male infertility. Female surgeons often delay pregnancy due to training, relying on assisted reproductive technologies. Gender differences in divorce and childbirth rates highlight unique challenges females face, including infertility. Long work hours and occupational hazards further complicate fertility issues. Sleep deprivation affects reproductive hormones, impacting fertility across all ages. Conclusion: Studies indicate that female surgeons face heightened pregnancy risks, underscoring the need for job changes to prioritise parenthood. Career pressures affect female physicians’ decisions to start families, potentially perpetuating gender inequities. Further research on male infertility is crucial for addressing healthcare industry challenges.
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