A “Fertility Awareness” Survey on Social Media
Men Can Do Better
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21748374 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hubert Bettinger (Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines), Marie Carbonnel (0000-0001-9935-1203, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, corresponding author), Alexandre Vallée (0000-0001-9158-4467, Hôpital Foch), Catherine Racowsky (0000-0002-8961-7896, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines), Henri‐Corto Stoeklé (Hôpital Foch), Henri-Corto Stoekle (Department of Ethics and Scientific Integrity, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France), Jean-Marc Ayoubi (Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 15579883251325513-15579883251325513 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Journal of Men s Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1557-9883 • E-ISSN: 1557-9891 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/15579883251325513 |
| PMID | 40459341 |
| OpenAlex | W4410983910 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
Infertility affects 17% of the global population, yet fertility awareness remains low, particularly among younger individuals and men. This study assessed fertility awareness and attitudes toward infertility prevention among French adults of childbearing age, focusing on gender differences. Conducted via social media from March to May 2023, the survey included 322 participants aged 18–43 who had not consulted assisted reproduction centers. Most respondents were women (84%), under 33 (59%), from high socio-professional backgrounds (58%), in relationships (78%), and childless (59%). Significant gender differences emerged regarding desired ages for having a first (women: 30.7 ± 3.5 years vs. men: 32.8 ± 3.8 years; p = .06) and last child (women: 36.7 ± 3.6 years vs. men: 39.8 ± 4.5 years; p = .001). Only 55.8% of men correctly identified the female fertility window, compared to 64.1% of women ( p = .023). Men also showed lower awareness of the timing of female fertility decline ( p = .043) and underestimated the prevalence of assisted reproductive technologies among heterosexual couples ( p = .001). In addition, men were less likely to discuss fertility with their doctor (15.4% vs. 35.9%; p = .004) or express interest in infertility prevention consultations (53.9% vs. 60.8%; p = .048). These findings suggest a gender gap in fertility awareness, with men generally less informed and engaged in reproductive health discussions. While the small sample size limits generalizability, the results underscore the need for targeted educational efforts to improve fertility knowledge and encourage proactive reproductive health behaviors across genders
Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Family planning · Fertility · Generalizability theory · Gynecology · Infertility · Population · Pregnancy · Reproductive health · Total fertility rate · Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Medicine · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Gerontology · Reproductive Medicine
| Highly cited | No |
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