Infertility affects approximately 1 in 6 Australian couples of reproductive age, and can impact both males and females equally
Causes of infertility can vary, including low sperm count for males and blocked fallopian tubes or underlying conditions like endometriosis for females.
Organon, a women’s healthcare company, has released the Australian Fertility Report, which highlights the gaps in fertility knowledge among Australian women. The report reveals that women are aware of various fertility treatments but lack awareness about their own bodies and what they can do to improve their chances of conceiving. The report is based on a national survey of 2,044 women aged between 18-45 years.
Surprisingly, despite one-quarter of the surveyed women experiencing difficulty conceiving, only 16% of them have accessed fertility treatment
Overall, only 11% of all women surveyed have sought fertility treatment, although 71% are aware of different types of treatment, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing. The reasons cited by women who have not accessed fertility treatments include concerns about the emotional toll of the procedure (73%) and doubts about the success rate of treatments (70%). Affordability is also a major factor, with 81% of women stating that it is a barrier to accessing fertility treatment, despite some treatments being subsidized through Medicare or covered by private health insurance.
Experts have highlighted the importance of understanding when and how to start exploring fertility treatments, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach to reproductive health education.
Professor Bill Ledger, Head and Professor of the Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynecology in the School of Women’s & Children’s Health, stressed the need for education throughout the life course to reduce difficulties in conceiving and help Australians achieve their desired family-building intentions.
The report also revealed that most women understand the importance of discussing major health issues like endometriosis (90%) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (88%) with their doctors before attempting to get pregnant.
In light of these findings, Teniele Spicer, a woman from Sydney who is expecting her first child, emphasized the need for early conversations between Australians and their GPs about fertility.
Spicer’s diagnosis of PCOS at 18 years old prompted her to start her fertility journey earlier than planned
She believes that knowledge is power and encourages others to take advantage of the supportive public system and act early on fertility.
Nirelle Tolstoshev, Managing Director of Organon ANZ, emphasised the need for fertility-awareness education to be a top priority, enabling Australians to have children when they are ready.
