Fertility and fertility preservation: knowledge, awareness and attitudes of female graduate students

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the general knowledge of female graduate students on reproductive aging and fertility preservation options, as well as to investigate the perceptions, personal beliefs, and desires regarding fertility and preservation modalities.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional online survey study of female graduate students and medical trainees from academic institutions in Ohio was performed. Women were excluded if the online survey was incomplete or if they were >45 years.

Results: Analysis of 590 surveys was performed (response rate of 26.3%). Ninety-four percent (557/590) of subjects were between 20 and 35 years. Our respondents tended to be nulliparous (87%), married or in a relationship (51%) and interested in future fertility (77%). The reasons cited for delaying childbearing were multi-factorial, with career building noted most commonly (69%). Nearly 60% of women reported they would consider fertility preservation in the future; however, the majority (87%) cited two or more barriers. When asked about their desire for information on fertility preservation, 28% desired to receive education on their choices and 36% wanted their Ob/Gyn to discuss fertility preservation options. Women >30 years were significantly more likely to desire future fertility, want more fertility preservation education and consider pursuing fertility preservation in the future.

Conclusions: Graduate-level women often delay childbearing for professional pursuits. This study demonstrates a need for increased fertility preservation awareness and education, especially by Ob/Gyn providers.

Chinese abstract

目的：评估女研究生对于生殖老化、生育力保护方式的知识, 同时也调查她们对于生育力和生育力保护方式的认知、个人信仰以及意愿。

材料与方法：这是一个对于俄亥俄州女研究生和医科实习生的横断面网络调查, 已排除调查问卷未完成或年龄>45岁的调查对象。

结果：分析了590份调查问卷 (回收率26.3%)。94% (557/590) 的调查对象年龄在20到35岁之间。87%未生育, 51%已婚或有性伴侣, 77%有生育要求。推迟生育的原因很多, 最常见的原因是为了发展事业(69%)。约 60%的调查对象表示将来会考虑生育力保护, 然而大多数人(87%) 表示有2个或2个以上的顾虑。当问及她们想了解的关于生育力保护的知识, 28% 的人表示愿意选择性的获得知识, 36%的人希望和自己的妇产科医生讨论生育力保护的方式。 >30岁的女性更有生育的意愿, 更希望获得生育力保护的相关知识, 更愿意考虑在将来进行生育力保护。

结论：研究生学历的女性通常因为工作原因推迟生育。这个调查表明人们越来越需要生育力保护的相关知识, 尤其需要由专业人士提供的知识。

Keywords:

• Egg freezing
• fertility
• fertility preservation
• ovarian tissue cryopreservation
• reproductive aging

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.