Your health is not a luxury: Dr Nikki Yadav on fertility, PCOS, and preventive care for women

Dr Nikki Yadav, Infertility Specialist, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, and Director of Yellow Fertility & IVF, encouraged women to schedule routine annual check-ups with their gynaecologists to support early diagnosis and maintain preventive health.

Speaking at SheSparks 2026, YourStory’s flagship event that celebrates women leaders, held at IIT Delhi, Yadav pointed out that many women in India neglect their own health while prioritising family and work responsibilities. She noted that women often visit gynaecologists only during pregnancy or when serious symptoms appear, rather than as part of regular preventive healthcare.

“Women are conditioned to be a caregiver first and a patient later. So they keep postponing their health on a daily basis,” she said, in a fireside chat with YourStory founder Shradha Sharma.

Yadav also spoke about the importance of understanding reproductive health, particularly for women in their twenties and thirties. This period is biologically the most fertile stage of a woman’s life, but many women today must juggle family planning with career commitments.

“Just like you plan timelines for your career, you should also think about timelines for reproductive health,” she said.

One option increasingly gaining traction among women is egg freezing. This medical procedure allows women to freeze their eggs for future use, giving them an option to delay pregnancy for personal, medical, or career reasons.

However, Yadav cautioned that timing plays a critical role. Fertility begins to decline after the age of 30 and drops more sharply after 35, making early planning important for those considering the option.

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Yadav also highlighted the rising prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which affects hormonal balance and menstrual cycles. Yadav described PCOS largely as a lifestyle-related disorder, often linked to diet, lack of physical activity, weight gain, and insulin resistance.

Managing the condition typically begins with lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight, before medication becomes necessary.

The discussion also touched on menopause and the lack of awareness around perimenopause in India. Yadav explained that menopause is not an abrupt event but a gradual biological transition that can last over a year, during which hormonal fluctuations can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and mood swings.

Regular health screenings, strength-based exercise, and attention to bone health become particularly important during this phase, she said.

Emphasising the need for awareness, Yadav encouraged women to take ownership of their health. “Your health is not a luxury. It is basic maintenance of the body you live in,” she said, urging women to prioritise both physical and mental well-being.