Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0420
ISSN: 2167-0420
Joyce Harper
Institute for Womenâ??s Health, University College London, UK
Keynote: J Women’s Health Care
Reproductive health includes puberty, the menstrual cycle, fertility, infertility, pregnancy, and the menopause. Historically these topics are rarely covered in school education in any detail. For those countries that deliver sex education, it usually concentrates on how not to get pregnant and how not to get a sexually transmitted infection. We have formed the International Fertility Education Initiative, a multidisciplinary group of experts working in reproductive health education and research (www.eshre.eu/ifei). Our mission is ‘To increase fertility awareness using the life course approach, in order to improve reproductive health and facilitate decision-making in family planning among adolescents, people of reproductive age, primary healthcare, education professionals, and policymakers through development, evaluation and dissemination of inclusive educational resources. Reproductive health education is not just for women; it is for all, including the LGBTQ+ community. Our school study has shown that young people want to ensure that education is LGBTQ+ inclusive. Some of this information is important even for those who do not want children. Menstrual cycle education should include information on ovulation and periods, what is a normal menstrual cycle, and what can go wrong, including endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Our study in UK schools show that the vast majority of students have not learnt about these issues, but 1 in 10 women will get endometriosis or PCOS. Understanding the fertile window is important for all who menstruate but especially for those trying to conceive. It is also important to know that female fertility declines with age, especially after age 35. We are seeing a delay in the age of the birth of the first child globally, being over age 30 in many countries. We are also seeing a decrease in the total fertility rate (the average number of children a woman will have). This has reached 1.3 in several European countries. Our studies have shown that the majority of people who want children, want between 2 and 3 children. This would indicate that the majority of people are not having their desired family size. Infertility affects a growing number of people, and it is key that people know the limitations of fertility treatment, costs, etc. Our studies have found that most people stop fertility treatment due to emotional reasons. Preconception health, for both men and women, is key to fertility, a healthy pregnancy and the health of our future children. Many people do not realise how common miscarriage is. We have carried out extensive research on the menopause and many women are entering this key stage in their lives with no knowledge. Understanding what the menopause is, the symptoms, and treatments are key for all women. Reproductive health education for all is necessary, starting in schools and continuing throughout life. Health education in the workplace is essential so that all can understand the various issues that affect women through their reproductive life course and how this can affect their wellbeing at work.
Dr Joyce Harper has been a leader in the field of fertility and genetics since 1987. As well as being an established scientist with over 170 scientific publications, Harper is a passionate educator of the public and students at all levels, from school children to PhD level. She started her career as a clinical embryologist and joined University College London (UCL) in 1994. She heads the Embryology, IVF and Reproductive Genetics Group at UCL and her research interests include preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), reproductive genetics, new technology in IVF, embryo selection for IVF, social and ethical issues relating to fertility treatment and fertility awareness.