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This study aims to investigate the current practice patterns of Portuguese oncologists with different clinical specialties regarding female fertility preservation (FP) and to determine the relative endorsement of different barriers to these practices. A total of 111 doctors with different clinical specialties assisting female cancer patients of childbearing age at Portuguese clinical institutions completed a self‐report questionnaire to assess their current practice patterns regarding female FP and their perceptions of the barriers to these practices. Although the majority of the oncologists reported discussing the reproductive future with their patients, 2.8% and 7.2% of these clinicians reported never informing about the risk of infertility and about FP, respectively, and 75.8% of the participants have referred fewer than ten patients to a reproductive medicine doctor. Time with patients was the strongest endorsed barrier to these practices. A stronger endorsement of the barriers “oncologists’ communication skills” and “patient‐related factors” was related to a lower frequency of informing about both the risk of cancer‐related infertility and about FP. It is important to overcome the intrinsic barriers that emerged as being the most relevant to oncologists’ FP practices and that can be modified, namely the lack of communication skills and the oncologists’ perceptions of their patients’ characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The postponement of parenthood may increase the number of couples experiencing infertility and prolonged time to pregnancy. Previous research has revealed that childless people are not well informed regarding fertility, which may threat their childbearing intentions. This study aimed to examine fertility knowledge and childbearing intentions held by Portuguese people and their use and perceived usefulness of information sources on fertility. Methods: Participants were recruited using a random-route domiciliary approach. A total of 2404 individuals aged 18-45 were asked to complete a structured questionnaire evaluating socio-demographic characteristics, childbearing intentions, fertility knowledge and information-gathering sources regarding fertility. Results: In total, 95.5% of the participants indicated the desire to have children in the future, and 61.7% reported that having children would contribute to life satisfaction. Most of the participants expressed the desire to have two children in the future. The discrepancy between the numbers of planned and desired children was higher in men, in participants with lower education levels, in professionally active participants and in the unemployed participants. Relationship stability seemed to be more important in influencing childbearing decisions than financial stability or family support. Participants' knowledge regarding fertility was poor. Women, the participants who were older than 25, the participants with longer education and the participants with higher income exhibited the greatest levels of knowledge of fertility, although this knowledge was only slightly enhanced in these subgroups. Also, the participants overestimated both the chances of spontaneous pregnancy and the success rates of assisted reproduction techniques. Finally, the results revealed that websites were the main information sources used by the participants and only 18.0% of the participants had previously discussed fertility issues with their doctors. Conclusions: Although Portuguese men and women reported the desire to have children in the future, their knowledge regarding fertility and infertility risk was poor. In addition, participants used more general sources of information, such as website, but not specialized sources, such as their doctors. There is a real need to work with general practitioners to empower them to provide adequate fertility information to every childless patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we examined the congruence between partners' perceptions of their marital relationship during the transition to parenthood and the effect of depression during pregnancy on couples' congruence during the early postpartum period. Thirty-one couples who conceived spontaneously, along with thirty-five who conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), provided data on their marital relationship and depression at their 24th pregnancy week and four months after the partum. All couples reported a decrease in marital congruence. Couples who conceived through ART reported lower marital congruence. For these subjects, women's depression was associated with lower congruence. Interventions that focus on strengthening the marital relationship across the transition to parenthood should assess and promote couples' congruence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This cross‐sectional exploratory study aimed to examine the female cancer patients' personal and health care‐related variables mostly associated with their decision whether to preserve or not their fertility, in order to know more about the influence of attitudinal and health care‐related variables on this decision where fertility preservation (FP) is fully covered by the National Health System. Methods: Childbearing attitudes, health care‐related information, FP motivations and childbearing motivations were assessed, in a clinical setting, to female cancer patients in childbearing age, who were undergoing the FP decision‐making process. Results: This study included 89 participants (82% response rate). Those who decided to undergo FP attributed more value to the reasons for FP and less value to the reasons against FP than those who decided not to undergo FP. Not having children, strongly valuing pregnancy after cancer and attributing low value to the implications of the postponement of cancer treatments were significant and independently associated with deciding to preserve fertility. Conclusion: The decision to pursue FP is mainly influenced by three factors: the absence of children, attributing high value to trying to ensure future pregnancy and attributing low value to the possible postponement of cancer therapy in order to have time to preserve fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Assess the budget impact of nationwide screening for diminished ovarian reserve (OR), via anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, to the Portugal National Health System (NHS). Patients & methods: The clinical journey was determined using literature and the family planning decision-making process/response using survey results. A panel of four local clinicians validated all assumptions/inputs. Results: Screening for OR led to an expected savings of € 9.4 million for the NHS, driven by a 24% reduction in medically assisted reproduction (MAR) use. When needed, referral for MAR was earlier and more women used first-line versus second-line techniques. The model estimated a 12% decrease in failure. Conclusion: This model shows AMH screening may allow more informed decisions, leading to a shorter fertility journey, more efficient use of treatments, and substantial cost-savings for the NHS.