Issues related to fertility seem to be ignored by Greek women. Typically most women are unaware that 95% of their ovarian reserve is already gone by the age of 35, scientists report.

Government and the scientific community are taking action to fill the gap

Greece has one of the lowest birth rates in the world and one of the longest average ages of women who have their first child, the speakers emphasized in the context of the 19th Annual Panhellenic Conference of the EDDYPPY (Hellenic Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities of the WHO), held in Municipality of Mandra-Idyllia (October 10-13).

According to a study presented at the conference, when women become aware of reduced AMH levels, 83% change their reproductive plans, 36% accelerate their first pregnancy for the next two years, while a significant percentage of around 28% reviews oocyte cryopreservation.

“Families now tend to be smaller, the number of women who could give birth if they wish is decreasing, the age of the woman when she has her 1st child is older compared to the past“, pointed out George Patoulis, president of ISA and EDDIPPY, during his speech.

In particular, according to ELSTAT for 2022, births in Greece amounted to 76,541 infants, with the new data for 2023 finding births at 71,456, an additional decrease of 6.1%, while respectively deaths for 2022 reached 140,801, and in 2023, 128,101.

Information actions on the necessity of Anti-Millerian Hormone (AMH)

The EDDYPPY implements awareness-raising actions for prevention and informing the population about the necessity of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH).

It is noted that the blood test for AMH is an effective biomarker for predicting and informing about the ovarian reserve of women. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced at the 88th TIF the free fertility check for women from 30 to 35 years old.

According to the speakers at the 19th Annual Panhellenic Conference of the EDDYPPY, the total number of eggs a woman has in her ovaries is formed during fetal life and this reserve is constantly decreasing without the possibility of renewal.

The AMH measurement program has been started by EDDIPPY as a pilot, in 5 municipalities of Attica, where women had the opportunity to be informed about this important examination and to do it for free. In particular, actions have been implemented in the municipalities of Mandra Idyllia, Kifissia, Lokron, Heraklion Attica and Ag. Friday. In fact, it was announced at the conference that the program is going to be extended to other municipalities and to more women.

As pointed out by the speakers, the measurement of AMH offers a reliable estimate of the ovarian reserve and can help women to better understand the scope that nature itself gives them. It gives the possibility to make informed decisions at the level of prevention and protection of fertility with options either to have a child earlier if they wish or to cryopreserve eggs in time, i.e. before 35 years.

“The inclusion of the AMI examination in the Municipal Health Centers signals the consolidation of a culture of information and prevention in all phases of family formation. The cooperation of the various agencies is necessary for the effective implementation of this strategy and the free prescription of AMH is of particular importance in the effort to prevent infertility. The provision of the AMH examination to citizens, mainly for the specific age group of 30-35 years, is indeed the beginning of a new era that will allow women to make more informed decisions, for their family planning”, emphasized Mr. Patoulis.