Research: Lack of information and misconceptions about fertility

The famous Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston made a shocking confession saying that “I have undergone IVF, I drank Chinese teas, I did everything you can imagine. I did everything. I would have given anything to have been told to freeze your eggs.”

These statements are a resounding example of the significant lack of information observed in modern societies regarding fertility issues.

Research in Greek society

Lack of information and misconceptions about the limits set by the physiology of the reproductive system, the age limits linked to the biology of aging, but also the modern methods of prevention and management of the expected depletion of the ovarian reserve quantitatively and qualitatively, records research carried out by MRB Hellas in May 2021 with the main objective to investigate and capture the views of the general population regarding the degree of information and understanding on fertility issues. The sample of the quantitative research is 1,201 interviews with people aged 17-55 (801 interviews with women – 400 interviews with men.

Understanding fertility issues

Respondents have a low level of information regarding both female and male fertility.

67.7% of women say they know little or nothing about male fertility issues, as do 55.3% of men who say they know little or nothing about female fertility issues. Understanding is mostly about the same gender, with 56.4% of men saying they know a lot and enough about male fertility and 73.3% of women saying they know a lot and enough about female fertility.

1 in 3 respondents state that female fertility begins to decline between the ages of 46-55

Both male and female respondents overwhelmingly know and report at which age a woman is most fertile (46.8% of all respondents report ages 18-25 and 49% report ages 26-35). However – in contrast – they do not seem to understand when female fertility begins to decline, as 1 in 3 respondents state that female fertility usually begins to decline between the ages of 46-55.

According to scientific data, the fertility of couples, and especially of women, is increased at the ages of 25-30 years, and registers a significantly decreasing trend after the age of 35. After 40 years, fertility decreases at a faster rate, with as a result, problems appear in approximately 50-60% of couples who try to conceive for the first time after the age of 40. It is indicated that at the age of 36 it is estimated that approximately 80% of a woman’s egg reserve has been “lost” her disposition. Also, the degradation of the reproductive potential does not only concern the number of eggs, but also their quality. This results in a significant increase in the chance of miscarriages and chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses, especially after the age of 40.

Does a woman’s physical fitness affect fertility?

Another view held by the study population that should be highlighted is the mistaken belief that maintaining a woman’s good health and fitness after age 40 can positively affect and prolong her reproductive capacity. system. More specifically, the vast majority of respondents (70.2%) agree with the opinion that the good health and physical condition of the woman after 40 can ensure her fertility and her ability to give birth normally regardless of age. Scientific studies state that no matter how good our health and physical condition is, the “age limit” set by nature on the capabilities of the reproductive system for both women and men cannot be bypassed.

Chances of pregnancy at the age of 40

47.9% state that the chances of pregnancy at the age of 40 range from 30-50%. Less than 7.7% of respondents appear to be properly informed and report that the success rate with natural conception among women in this age group is significantly low, acknowledging the significant decrease in the likelihood of childbearing at the age of 40. Additionally, they overestimate the possibilities of IVF in the late 30s.

After the age of 40 the probability of achieving natural conception in each cycle is significantly reduced, at a rate estimated to be less than 5% per month. In addition, the success of IVF decreases significantly after the age of 40, with a success rate of less than 10%. This is due to the fact that IVF methods cannot completely overcome the obstacles expected to be posed by advanced reproductive age. These “obstacles” are related to a reduction in the number and quality of the eggs, but also to a significant deterioration in the quality and fertilizing capacity of the sperm.

Male fertility

One in 3 male and 1 in 4 female respondents report that male infertility begins to decline at age 56+.

According to scientific data, the decline of a man’s reproductive potential begins gradually after the age of 40, while it becomes intense after the age of 45. However, it “expresses” in a different way than in women, less suddenly and with less intensity.

Research conclusions

From the above data, it becomes evident the essential need to carry out an information campaign on fertility and reproductive health issues, especially regarding the impact that age has on the reproductive potential of both men and women.

It is a given that modern society, where priorities and needs have changed significantly compared to the past for both sexes, significantly influences the planning of family planning and childbearing, when and as long as this is an option. The issue is that this planning should be carried out after proper information of the society as a whole and after an analytical presentation of the correct “dimension” of the effect of age on the reproductive potential, so that everyone can make “informed” decisions.

Medical science cannot overcome all the “barriers” set by nature, which mainly concern reduced ovarian reserves and the decline in the quality of eggs and sperm with increasing age. It can provide alternative options to those who wish to postpone childbearing by cryopreservation of genetic material, with the aim of preserving reproductive potential. Awareness, knowledge and education are key to avoiding age-related infertility.

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