Prevalence of subfecundity and care-seeking behaviour. Results of the German Part of the European studies on infertility and subfecundity
Kueppers-Chinnow, M.; Karmaus, W.
Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde 57(2): 89-95
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-5751 Document Number: 407831
As part of the European Studies on Infertility and Subfecundity (ESIS) we assessed population-based data on lifetime prevalence and care-seeking behaviour. In Germany information was gathered from 1531 women in a standardised face-to-face interview. We asked about the time of unprotected intercourse (TUI) and/or time until pregnancy as well as planning of pregnancies and care-seeking in order to conceive. Lifetime prevalence of subfecundity (TUI gt 12 months) was 31.8%. However, at the time of the interview, 80.9% of this group had children. Regarding the first individual TUI, 54.9% of those with a TUI of more than 12 months sought medical help. Of the latter 41.1% started seeking help within a period of six months. In future it will be necessary to monitor the frequency of infertility and its sequelae.