Many American women lack essential fertility education, revealing a critical gap in reproductive health knowledge and communication with healthcare providers, according to new research.
The study, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of The Prelude Network fertility clinics for Women’s Health Month in May, found that 70% of women who have not experienced fertility issues have never discussed their fertility with their primary care doctors, obstetricians, or gynecologists.
Key Findings
- Reproductive Health Discussions: Common topics discussed with doctors include birth control pills (46%), vaginal health (39%), and menstrual cycles (33%). However, only 5% have discussed IVF and 4% have talked about IUI (intrauterine insemination).
- Knowledge Gaps: While 55% of women feel they know enough about sexual intercourse to make reproductive decisions, 45% do not. Confidence is even lower for understanding sexually transmitted diseases (28%) and fertility treatments like IVF (6%) and egg freezing (5%).
- Misconceptions: Over half (53%) believe advanced maternal age starts before 35, and 41% feel pressured to have children before this age. Additionally, 60% view their biological clock as a countdown to infertility, with 28% frequently feeling anxious about it.
Lindsey Rabaut, Chief Marketing Officer at Inception Fertility, the parent company of The Prelude Network, commented on the findings:
“The data shows that we as a society aren’t talking enough about female fertility health, and without those conversations, women don’t have the information they need to make empowered, educated decisions about their family building options. The great news is that there are opportunities to fill in this information gap. It starts with raising awareness about how fertility works and driving home the message that fertility health is women’s health. I wish I had been told more when I was 29 and just starting my career.”
Misconceptions About Advanced Maternal Age
The survey revealed significant misconceptions about advanced maternal age.
More than half (53%) of American women mistakenly believe that it starts before 35 years old, and 41% feel pressure to have children before reaching this age.
This misconception contributes to significant anxiety, with 60% of respondents viewing their biological clock as a countdown to when they can no longer conceive a child.
This anxiety is particularly pronounced, with 28% expressing that they “always” or “often” feel anxious when thinking about their biological clock.
Dr. Alice Domar, Chief Compassion Officer at Inception Fertility and Director of the Inception Research Institute, emphasized the emotional impact of these misconceptions:
“A clear takeaway from this survey is that women express anxiety about their future fertility, but we can lessen this distress – and do a better job of supporting them in their fertility journeys – through education. By understanding their reproductive health and the family building options that are available today, women can be more proactive in safeguarding their fertility health and increasing their odds of an easy conception and uneventful pregnancy.”
Emotional Impact and Regret
Many women are experiencing regret and anxiety over their reproductive choices:
- Regret: 32% of millennial women wish they had planned to conceive sooner.
- Belief It’s Too Late: Nearly a quarter (24%) believe it’s too late for them to have a child, with concerns about health (23%), stress (22%), and reproductive diseases (19%) being cited as reasons.
Concerns About Future Fertility
- Worries About Fertility Issues: 38% of women are worried about facing fertility issues in the future, with this concern being more prevalent among those under 35 (41%).
- Openness to Discussion: Gen Z women are more willing to discuss fertility issues with others (64%) compared to millennials (61%). Additionally, 57% of women under 35 would consider fertility treatments if they can’t conceive naturally, versus 47% of those over 35.
Conclusion
This research underscores the urgent need for better fertility education and more open discussions between women and their healthcare providers.
Addressing this gap can empower women to make better decisions about their fertility and overall health.
Consider how starting a conversation with your healthcare provider or seeking out reliable information can reshape your approach to fertility health.
Have you had these important discussions about fertility with your doctor?
What steps will you take to ensure you are well-informed about your reproductive health?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.