Iino, K., Fukuhara, R., Yokota, M., & Yokoyama, Y. (2022). Fertility awareness and subclinical infertility among women trying to get pregnant at home. BMC women's health, 22(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01626-z
Iino K, Fukuhara R, Yokota M, Yokoyama Y. Fertility awareness and subclinical infertility among women trying to get pregnant at home. BMC women's health. 2022;22(1):43. doi:10.1186/s12905-022-01626-z
Iino, Kaori, et al. "Fertility awareness and subclinical infertility among women trying to get pregnant at home." BMC women's health, vol. 22, no. 1, 2022, pp. 43.
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RRM Academy Synopsis
Nearly half of surveyed Japanese app users had tried over a year
Nearly 5 out of 10 women trying to conceive at home had gone over a year without a pregnancy, an online survey of 1,541 Japanese fertility-app users found. About 2 out of 10 believed women older than 45 can still get pregnant. Women with no prior exam gave lack of time, fear and no familiar clinic as reasons.
Key Findings
Of 2084 respondents, 1541 met the criteria. A total of 742 (48.2%) had a sterile period of more than 1 year.
338 (21.9%) women answered that women aged 45 years or older could get pregnant, and 735 (47.7%) chose the 40–44 category as the upper age limit.
Among 1362 women without a prior infertility examination, reasons for not visiting a clinic were no time (22.5%), hesitation to know the truth (22.4%), and no familiar gynecologist or clinic (22.3%).
In the adjusted model of 1377 women, a sterile period over 1 year was associated with age 35–39 (OR 1.885, 95% CI 1.307–2.719) and 40–44 (OR 2.554, 1.490–4.375).
In the same model, having children (OR 1.450, 95% CI 1.144–1.837) and a partner who smokes (OR 1.383, 1.088–1.759) were also associated with a sterile period over 1 year.
Interpretation
This cross-sectional survey took one snapshot in 2018 of users of a single Japanese app. The women chose themselves, so they may differ from other women trying to conceive. Answers were self-reported. Women in infertility treatment or hormone therapy were excluded. The design shows associations only, and the authors describe the group as having possible subclinical infertility. The authors list selection bias and missing place of residence as limits. They call for larger studies in other countries.
RRM Context
Restorative reproductive medicine evaluates both partners and looks for the cause when a year of trying has not led to pregnancy. In this survey, a partner's smoking was associated with a sterile period over 1 year, which keeps the male partner in the picture. Women also named practical barriers to evaluation: limited time, fear of the truth, and no familiar clinic.
Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.
Abstract
Background
Recent studies on fertility awareness among the reproductive population have reported the lack of accurate knowledge about fertility and assisted reproductive technologies. However, there has been little information regarding women trying to get pregnant at home. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of subclinical infertility among women trying to get pregnant at home, and to evaluate awareness regarding infertility and reasons for not visiting infertility clinics among women who use pregnancy-assist mobile applications to help them conceive.
Methods
A total of 2084 Japanese women responded to this online survey. We selected 1541 women according to the study criteria. Based on the results of 61 questions, we evaluated knowledge regarding fertility, prevalence of subclinical infertility, and reasons for not visiting the clinic among the participants.
Results
Despite the desire to conceive, the participants had an apparent tendency to overestimate the age limit for childbearing. A total of 338 (21.9%) women answered that in general women aged > 45 years could get pregnant. Approximately 40% of the women had possible subclinical infertility and were unaware of the fact. Additionally, about 70% of the women considered themselves to have infertility problems. Women who were aware of the possibility of infertility hesitated to visit the clinic due to unfamiliarity with a gynecologist or clinic, and apprehensions about the gynecologic examination.
Conclusions
In our study, some women required treatment for infertility. Nonetheless, they hesitated to visit an infertility clinic. Sexual health education, together with proper accessibility to gynecology clinics, are necessary to reduce involuntary childlessness.
Fertility Awareness › Use and Experience › User Satisfaction · Body Literacy › Patient Education › Fertility Knowledge and Misconceptions · Infertility › Evaluation › Prevalence and Incidence
