Prevalence of female subfertility in German gynecological practices

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to calculate the number of women with a subfertility diagnosis in gynecological practices in Germany between 2006 and 2010 based on the data from a large epidemiological database.

Methods: All calculations are based on a representative, epidemiological database called “disease analyzer”. Women with a confirmed diagnosis of female infertility (ICD 10: N97) or/and with documentation of procreative management (ICD 10: Z31) were identified. They were summarized under the term “subfertility”.

Results: In total, data on 1 975 253 female patients with between 2006 and 2010 were included. Estimates for patients with “subfertility” compared to number of women lived in Germany (aged 18–45) was 2.44% (CI: 2.43–2.45) in 2006, 2.52% (CI: 2.51–2.53) in 2007, 2.56% (CI: 2.55–2.57) in 2008, 2.68% (CI: 2.67–2.69) in 2009 and 2.69% (CI: 2.68–2.70) in 2010. The difference was significant (p < 0.01). In total, between 2006 and 2010 an estimated 8.91% of all German women had been diagnosed “subfertile”.

Conclusion: When calculated for 5 years almost 1 out of 10 women aged 18 to 45 was counseled, investigated or treated by her gynecologist for “subfertility”. This study provides reliable, representative data on a major healthcare issue in Germany.

• Epidemiology
• infertility
• prevalence
• sterility
• subfecundity
• subfertility