Fertility and fertility preservation knowledge in Portuguese women

Knowledge about fertility and factors affecting it, for example, the impact of age, seem to be lacking, even in highly educated populations. The same applies to fertility preservation knowledge, pointing to the relevance of increasing fertility preservation awareness and education among young women.

To describe general fertility knowledge and factors affecting fertility, fertility preservation knowledge and attitudes, and the desire to access more information on this topic in a sample of reproductive-age Portuguese women.

The sample comprised 257 Portuguese women aged 18-45, mostly single and nulliparous. A questionnaire was developed explicitly for this study and disseminated through social media advertisements.

Career building/development and financial stability were the more endorsed options for delaying childbearing, with 90 (35%) and 68 (26.5%), respectively. Most participants considered becoming a mother important (n = 185; 72%). More than halve provided an incorrect answer regarding the age range of women being more fertile (n = 132; 51.4%) and the age range of fertility decline (n = 168; 65.4%). Participants were aware of the influence of lifestyle and sexual health factors as well as the effect of age. Oocytes cryopreservation was the technique participants knew more (n = 206; 80.1%), but 177 (68.9%) showed no interest in using it. Most participants agreed that fertility and fertility preservation information should be provided during medical consultations or at school.

More information regarding fertility and fertility preservation is relevant to ensure that more women can make informed decisions concerning their reproductive life.