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Knowledge of ovarian reserve and reproductive choices

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To determine the factors that influence the reproductive choices of health care professionals, and to assess whether knowledge of ovarian reserve would modify those choices.

Method

A cross-sectional survey utilizing anonymous questionnaires that assessed demographics, knowledge, attitudes and choices of female and male health care professionals between the ages of 20–55 (N = 185) who work at an academic medical center

Result(s)

Of the 185 respondents, 75 % were female, 35 % were residents and 35 % were married. Among those who were delaying childbearing 39 % wanted to complete their education, 25 % had no identified partner, 10 % were too active professionally and 4 % could not afford children at the time. If testing of the individual or individual’s partner indicated diminished ovarian reserve, 48 % of those responding would try to have a child sooner, 21 % would opt for oocyte cryopreservation, 7 % would try to find a partner sooner, 7 % would pursue adoption, and 3 % would select embryo cryopreservation. Only 14 % would not actively pursue treatment or make lifestyle changes. These results varied significantly with marital status but did not differ between participants with and without children. Similarly, choices did not vary significantly with religious belief or ethnicity.

Conclusion(s)

Increased information about a woman’s reproductive reserve would lead individuals to modify life choices. Physicians caring for reproductive-age women and men should inquire about their childbearing plans, and educate those who are postponing childbearing regarding the normal pattern of reproductive decline.

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Acknowledgment

Myowa Pitan and Gilda Noori (Medical Student) for assisting in data collection

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maimonides Medical Center, 967 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA

    Erum Azhar & Howard Minkoff

  2. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97279, USA

    David B Seifer

  3. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Maimonides Medical Center, 6010 Bay parkway, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11204, USA

    Katherine Melzer

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, 42 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Ahmed Ahmed

  5. Jerem scientific Computing Center, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA

    Jeremy Weedon

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA

    Howard Minkoff

Authors
  1. Erum Azhar
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  2. David B Seifer
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  3. Katherine Melzer
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  4. Ahmed Ahmed
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  5. Jeremy Weedon
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  6. Howard Minkoff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erum Azhar.

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Capsule

Health care professionals would modify their personal reproductive choices with increased knowledge regarding their own or their partner’s ovarian reserve.

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Azhar, E., Seifer, D.B., Melzer, K. et al. Knowledge of ovarian reserve and reproductive choices. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 409–415 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0415-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0415-9

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