Insights Into Infertility and Pregnancy Among Female Ophthalmologists.

PURPOSE: Since medical training often overlaps with key reproductive years for female physicians, many women have noted increased pregnancy difficulties and infertility across different specialties. The purpose of this study is to determine the experiences of female ophthalmologists regarding infertility and family planning options.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Female ophthalmologists were questioned on their experiences with fertility, infertility causes, childbearing decisions, assisted reproductive technology, workplace support, and reflections on career choices.

METHODS

The survey was sent to female ophthalmologists between August 2023 and October 2023. The survey was sent to 425 members in the Women in Ophthalmology Listserv and the post was viewed by 192 members of Facebook Ophthalmology Women's Group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Infertility rate and causes.

RESULTS

This survey received 291 responses with a 47.2% response rate. A diagnosis of infertility was reported by 71 respondents (24.4%), of which 40.8% was unexplained and 23.9% was due to ovulatory dysfunction. Many respondents report delaying having children due to their medical training (N = 216, 74.2%). The likelihood of receiving a diagnosis of infertility increased with an older age at completion of training (odds ratio [OR], 1.126, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01, 1.252; P = .029). There was no significant relationship between perceived workplace support for pregnancy and postgraduate completion year (OR, 1.03, [95% CI, 0.994, 1.07]; P = .104). When asked to advise their younger self, out of 277 respondents, a majority (58.8%) expressed a desire for change in their past decisions, including earlier attempts at conception (34.7%) and exploring cryopreservation options (26.1%).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Like other female physicians in medicine, female ophthalmologists face a high infertility rate and often delay having children due to their career. Childbearing often influences fellowship, future career choices, and leadership roles. To better support female ophthalmologists who are navigating building a career and family, there needs to be more education about family planning, awareness about cryopreservation, and financial fertility planning resources.