The Fertility Assessment and Counselling Clinic - does the concept work? A prospective two year follow up study of 519 women

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INTRODUCTION: The Fertility Assessment and Counselling (FAC) Clinic was initiated to provide women information about their current fertility status to prevent infertility and smaller families than desired. The aim was to study the predictive value of a risk assessment score based on known fertility risk factors in terms of time to pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of the first 570 women attending the FAC Clinic from 2011 to 2013 at Rigshospitalet, Denmark. A consultation included: risk assessment score sheet with items on infertility risk factors, anti Müllerian hormone and ultrasound. The risk score was categorized as low, medium or high. After two years an email-based questionnaire was distributed regarding subsequent pregnancies.

RESULTS: The follow up questionnaire was answered by 519 women (91.1%). The mean age was 35 years and 38% were single at inclusion. The majority (67.8%, 352/519) tried to conceive within two years after attending the FAC Clinic. At follow up 73.6% (259/352) had achieved a pregnancy, 21% (74/352) were still trying and 5.4% (19/352) had given up. Two thirds (65%) with only low risk scores conceived spontaneously within 12 months, while this figure was only 32% for women with at least one high risk score (n=82). Accordingly, presence of at least one high risk score reduced the odds of achieving a pregnancy within 12 months by 75% (OR 0.25, 95%CI; 0.12-0.52).

CONCLUSION: The new FAC Clinic concept seems usable and offers a tool for fertility experts to guide women on how to fulfil their reproductive life-plan. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume96
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)313–325
Number of pages13
ISSN0001-6349
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2017

ID: 171663309