Half of people planning to start a family are worried about their fertility or their partner’s, according to new findings from the National Women’s Health Survey. The study, conducted by Ipsos B&A for the Irish Examiner, shows that fertility concerns are prompting more women to act early — though the same urgency is not seen among men.
Fertility Struggles More Common Than Expected
Among women who have had a child or are currently pregnant, one in five say they faced fertility challenges. Most of them — about four in five — sought medical advice. More than half underwent fertility treatments, such as IVF.
For those still planning a family, concerns remain high. About 50% worry about fertility, and 20% have already taken steps to evaluate it. Of the women who plan to have children, two-thirds would be willing to pursue IVF if necessary.
Dr. John Waterstone, Medical Director at Waterstone Clinic, said he was surprised by how many women have proactively checked their fertility. “They haven’t started trying yet — they’re just aware of potential issues. I find it encouraging that 20% have already looked into it,” he said.
Men Less Likely to Get Checked
However, Waterstone said men are far less likely to take the same steps. “We rarely see men who aren’t already trying for a baby come in to check their fertility. It’s very rare to have a man without children ask for a sperm test ‘just to see’.”
He believes social media is helping women become more informed and open about fertility. Still, just one in three survey respondents said they feel well-informed about fertility.
Waterstone also noted an increase in women over 40 coming to his clinic for their first fertility consultation — a number that has grown significantly over the past decade. “Some of these women do succeed with treatment, but others don’t. Sometimes donor eggs are their only option,” he said.
A Limited Window for Women
Waterstone emphasized the time-sensitive nature of female fertility. “Women have a much shorter window than men. While men can have children at 40 or even 60, a woman’s fertility drops sharply in her late 30s and 40s due to aging eggs.”
Egg Freezing Becoming More Popular
One in three respondents said they would consider freezing their eggs to preserve fertility. Only one in five said they would not.
Waterstone Clinic now sees high demand for egg freezing, which makes up around 20% of all procedures they perform. But success isn’t guaranteed. “It’s technically difficult,” said Waterstone. “You need to be very precise.”
There’s also a gap in data, as many women who freeze their eggs haven’t used them yet. “We freeze hundreds of eggs each year,” he said, “but fewer than 10 women have returned to thaw and use them. Of those, more than half have become pregnant or already had a baby.”
More Support, but Less Talk
Caitríona Fitzpatrick, chair of the National Infertility Support and Information Group, said more people are reaching out for help. “We hear from people at all stages — some are considering IVF, others are looking into donor conception or surrogacy,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer support. “Most people come to us because they don’t know anyone who has been through this. We connect them with others who understand.”
However, she also pointed out a gap in fertility education in Ireland. “We’re good at teaching about contraception, but we don’t teach about fertility,” she said. “Many don’t realize fertility declines at 35, or how long it can take to conceive.”
Social Stigma Still a Barrier
Fitzpatrick said people still don’t talk openly about fertility challenges. “They’ll talk about having a baby, but not about struggling to get there,” she explained. “Even with all the treatment options and success stories, most people tell only one or two others about their fertility journey.”
While 82% of survey participants said they support the use of fertility treatments, the findings suggest there’s still a lingering stigma around infertility.
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