Infertility · Evaluation
Abstract
Aim
To determine the current prevalence of female infertility and characterize and identify risk factors associated with infertility in Ukraine.
Materials and Methods
Multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2021 to December 2023 in twelve medical centers from nine regions of Ukraine. Definitions of infertility were adapted from the World Health Organization. According to the data collected from questionnaire, participants were divided into infertile and fertile groups and analyzed associated factors.
Results
Among all the 7,618 participants in this study, the prevalence of female infertility was 24.3%. The prevalence of primary infertility was 5.9%, and the prevalence of secondary infertility was 18.4%. In logistic multivariate regression analyses, female infertility was associated with age of women (p<0.001), age of first sexual intercourse (p<0.001), history of gynecological surgery (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), age of marriage (p<0.001), decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) (p=0.006), family history of infertility (p<0.001), history of cervicitis (p=0.007), history of surgical abortion (p<0.001), history of endometritis (p=0.027), bacterial vaginosis (p=0.023), and aerobic vaginitis (< 0.001).
Conclusions
Our data suggest a high prevalence of female infertility in Ukraine. The prevalence of secondary infertility was higher than primary infertility. Age of women, age of first sexual intercourse, history of gynecological surgery, marital status, age of marriage, DOR, family history of infertility, history of cervicitis, history of surgical abortion, history of endometritis, bacterial vaginosis, and aerobic vaginitis were associated with infertility.
Topics
By this author
Infections · Vaginal and Cervical Infections
Urinary tract infections in pregnant women from the Russian--Ukrainian military conflict regions: A multicenter study (2022-2025)
Salmanov AG et al., 2026 · Polski merkuriusz lekarski : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego
To estimates of the prevalence rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnant women from the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions and antimicrobial resistance of causing pathogens. Materials and Retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted from April, 2022 to May, 2025.The study population consisted of 2,576 pregnant women from the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions. Antibiotic susceptibility was done by the disc diffusion test as recommended by EUCAST guidelines. Among 2,576 pregnant women, 1,002 (38.9%) UTIs were observed. The most frequently reported UTI types were cystitis (48.4%) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (39%). Of all UTI cases, 14.6% were defined as acute pyelonephritis. The most common causative agents of UTIs were Escherichia coli (27.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.9%), Proteus mirabilis (11.2%), Coagulase-negative staphylococci (8.7%), Enterococcus faecalis (8.5%), Enterobacter spp. (7.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.6%). Methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistance enterococci (VRE), and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) production among Enterobacteriales was found observed in 11.3%, 9.1%, and 29.4% isolates, respectively. Carbapenem resistance was identified in 13.7% of P. aeruginosa strains. This study findings demonstrate the high rate of UTIs in pregnant women from the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions and many cases are caused by pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics. Strategies for deterrence include optimal hygiene practices to minimize the risk of bacterial colonization and ascending infection.
Infections · Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Complications and adverse outcomes related to induced abortion in female from the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions: A multicentre study
Salmanov AG et al., 2025 · Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
To provide an overview of complications and adverse outcomes related to induced abortion in female from the Eastern and Southern Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions. Material and This are a multicentre combined retrospective and prospective cohort study. All women who underwent induced abortion in Eastern and Southern Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions between 2022 and 2024 are included in the study. A total of 14,196 induced abortion were performed, 10,630 (74.9%) complications cases were observed. The most complication were infections (71.1%), cervical injury (6.6%), incomplete abortion (5.4%), hemorrhage (5.2%), and uterine perforation (4.9%). The most common infection related to induced abortions was endometritis (21.6%), cervicitis (17.8%), vaginal cuff infections (16.3%), peritonitis (12.3%) and pelvic abscess (10.7%), followed by adnexa utery (8.1%), parametritis (6.7%), salpingitis (5.1%), sepsis (1.3%) and other (0.2%) infections. The main risk factors was increased maternal age, surgical abortion approach, increased gestational age, prior cesarean delivery, presence of a bleeding disorder, fetal demise before the abortion, lack of healthcare facilities, lack of essential medication, lack of personnel and equipment, and surgical inexperience. This study findings demonstrate the high rate of complications related to induced abortion in the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict regions. The ongoing war has led to a decline in the quality of healthcare services and main reason for the high rate of complications and adverse outcomes related to induced abortion in female from the military conflict regions.
Pathophysiology · Origin Theories
Obstetric and gynecological surgical procedures, and surgical site infections as risk for the development of endometriosis: a multicenter study
Salmanov AG et al., 2025 · Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
Aim this study was to evaluate the incidence of endometriosis in women with a recent history of surgical site infections (SSIs), and obstetric and gynecological surgical procedures. Materials and A retrospective multicenter cohort was conducted on patients who have had obstetric or gynecological surgical procedures performer from January 2022 to December 2024 in 16 hospitals from six Ukrainian regions. Definitions of SSIs were adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network. The criteria for endometriosis were adapted from the ESHRE endometriosis guideline. The study included 33,126 reproductive women with endometriosis who had 16,724 obstetric and 32,383 gynecologic surgical procedures. The incidence of endometriosis in women with history of obstetric and gynecologic surgical procedures, and SSIs was 25.5% [95% confidence interval (CI), 24.3-26.4], 33.3% (95% CI, 33.0-33.6), and 22,1% (20.8-24.2), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified SSIs, obstetric and gynecological surgical procedures as three factors positively associated with the risk of endometriosis. Factors that increased the odds of endometriosis was SSIs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.76; 95% CI, 2.29-6.20), and obstetric and gynecological surgical procedures (AOR, 7.91; 95% CI, 3.68-37.3). An SSIs and obstetric and gynecological surgery history increased the odds of an endometriosis >7-fold in the cohort (AOR, 7.96; 95% CI, 3.64-37.2). Obstetric and gynecological surgical injury, and the inflammation resulting from SSIs may play a role in developing endometriosis.
Diagnosis · Staging and Classification
Epidemiology of endometriosis in female evacuated from the Eastern Ukrainian military conflict regions: results a multicenter study (2022-2024)
Salmanov AG et al., 2025 · Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
To estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with endometriosis in female evacuated from the Eastern Ukrainian military conflict regions. Materials and A prospective multicenter cohort study was based on surveillance data for endometriosis. 982 women undergoing pelvic surgery were compared to 264 patients unexposed to surgery. The study cohort included women, who underwent a diagnostic and/or therapeutic laparoscopy or laparotomy in 2022-2024. Endometriosis among women was diagnosed visually at laparoscopy/laparotomy or by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. The prospective multicenter study included 1,246 women. The overall prevalence of endometriosis was 31.5%. Prevalence of the three types of endometrioses included peritoneal/superficial endometriosis, ovarian endometriotic cyst/endometrioma and deep infiltrating endometriosis was 13.8%, 9.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. Three hundred sixty-one women 36,8% in the surgical group and thirty-one women 13.3% in the community treatment group (unexposed to surgery, population cohort) were diagnosed with incident endometriosis. The pelvic pain, infertility and early age at menarche to be a consistent risk factor for endometriosis in both the operative and population cohorts. Data analysis showed that odds were decreased for gravidity, parity, and BMI. Factors that increased the odds of endometriosis diagnosis included dysmenorrhea, older age at first sex, pelvic pain as a surgical indication for laparoscopy, and higher education. Our study findings demonstrate the high prevalence of endometriosis among women in Ukraine. The pelvic pain, infertility and early age at menarche to be a consistent risk factor for endometriosis in both the operative and population cohorts.
Related research
Evaluation · Prevalence and Incidence
Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology
Vander Borght M et al., 2018 · Clinical Biochemistry
Infertility is a disease characterized by the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. It is estimated to affect between 8 and 12% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide. Males are found to be solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases but contribute to 50% of cases overall. Secondary infertility is the most common form of female infertility around the globe, often due to reproductive tract infections. The three major factors influencing the spontaneous probability of conception are the time of unwanted non-conception, the age of the female partner and the disease-related infertility. The chance of becoming spontaneously pregnant declines with the duration before conception. The fertility decline in female already starts around 25-30 years of age and the median age at last birth is 40-41 years in most studied populations experiencing natural fertility. The disease-related infertility may affect both genders or be specific to one gender. The factors affecting both genders' fertility are hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, disorders of ciliary function, cystic fibrosis, infections, systemic diseases and lifestyle related factors/diseases. Premature ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps may play a role in female infertility. Male infertility may be due to testicular and post-testicular deficiencies. Semen decline that has been observed over the years, endocrine disrupting chemicals and consanguinity are other factors that may be involved.
Fertility and Outcomes · Conception After Excision
Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with endometriosis in Ukraine: results a multicenter study
Salmanov AG et al., 2024 · Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
To estimate pregnancy outcomes associated with endometriosis in Ukraine. Materials and We performed the multicentre prospective cohort study during the period from January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2021. The study included pregnant women aged ≥18 years hospitalized in 17 hospitals from 15 regions of Ukraine. Logistic regression analysis provided odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Of the 27,558 women, 990 (3,6%) reported a diagnosis of endometriosis before pregnancy. In 990 deliveries, women with endometriosis had a higher risk of hypertension in pregnancy (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.3), preeclampsia (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.5), severe preeclampsia (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-2.3), hemorrhage in pregnancy (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.0-2.5), placental abruption (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.7-2.3), placenta previa (OR 3.9, 95% CI 3.5-4.3), premature rupture of membranes (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.8), and retained placenta (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.6). The neonates had increased risks of preterm birth before 28 weeks (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.7-3.6), birth before 34 weeks (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.8-3.6), being small for gestational age (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.6), being diagnosed with congenital malformations (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.3-1.4), and neonatal death (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.1). Pregnant women with endometriosis are at elevated risk for serious and important adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. The magnitude of these complications calls for more intensive antenatal care of pregnant women with endometriosis.
Safety and Risks · Neonatal and Birth Outcomes
Pregnancy outcomes after assisted reproductive technology among women with endometriosis in Ukraine: results a multicenter study
Salmanov AG et al., 2024 · Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
To evaluate the association between adverse pregnancy outcome, assisted reproductive technology (ART) and a previous diagnosis of endometriosis in Ukraine. Materials and We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study was based on infertility surveillance data among women reproductive age from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2021 in Ukraine. The patients from 10 Ukrainian regions who achieved singleton pregnancy by ART were included in this study. Linked hospital, pregnancy/birth and mortality data were used. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for the rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. During study period within the cohort of 11,271 singleton births, 94 women with endometriosis diagnosed before birth delivered 102 infants. Compared with women without endometriosis, women with endometriosis had higher risks of preterm birth [adjusted odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-1.44]. Women with endometriosis had higher risks of antepartal bleeding/placental complications, pre-eclampsia and Caesarean section. There was no association between endometriosis and risk of SGA-birth or stillbirth. Endometriosis and ART use are both independently associated with increased risk of preterm birth, antepartum haemorrhage, placenta praevia and planned birth. These findings are clinically relevant to obstetricians for distinguishing high- and low-risk pregnancies. Pregnant women with endometriosis require increased antenatal surveillance.
Thyroid and Metabolic Function · Insulin and Metabolism
Metabolic risk factors and fertility disorders: A narrative review of the female perspective
Westerman R et al., 2021 · Reprod Biomed Soc Online · Free full text on PubMed Central
Metabolic risk factors such as obesity are considered major obstacles to female fertility. Chronic infertility imposes psychological and social burdens on women because infertility violates societal gender roles. Although the prevalence of obesity among women is expected to increase in the future, the relevance of metabolic status for fertility is still underestimated. However, the assessment of metabolic risk factors is highly relevant for understanding fertility disorders and improving infertility treatment. This narrative review discusses the associations of metabolic risk factors (e.g. obesity, female athlete triad, oxidative stress) with significant infertility. An electronic search was conducted for studies published between 2006 and 2020 in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and related databases. In total, this search identified 19,309 results for polycystic ovary syndrome, 28,969 results for endometriosis, and only 1611 results for idiopathic and/or unknown infertility. For the present narrative review, 50 relevant studies were included: 19 studies were on obesity, 24 studies investigated the female athlete triad, and seven studies addressed other risk factors, including reactive oxygen species. This narrative review confirms the direct impact of obesity on female infertility, while the effect of other risk factors needs to be confirmed by large-scale population studies.
Infertility › Evaluation › Prevalence and Incidence
Aidyn G Salmanov, Oleksandr M Yuzko, Bohdan Yu Tofan, Volodymyr V Artyomenko, Svitlana M Korniyenko, Victor O Rud, Olena A Dyndar, Orusia A Kovalyshyn, Tetiana R Nykoniuk, Nataliia M Nastradina
A Salmanov, O Yuzko, B Tofan, V Artyomenko, S Korniyenko, V Rud, O Dyndar, O Kovalyshyn, T Nykoniuk, N Nastradina
PMID 38865639 38865639 DOI 10.36740/wlek202404127 10.36740/wlek202404127 Salmanov et al. 2024, Salmanov 2024