title: Awareness of the effects of postponing motherhood among hospital gynecologists: is their knowledge sufficient to offer appropriate help to patients?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to ascertain the awareness of hospital gynecologists about the effects of woman's age on spontaneous fecundity and on the efficacy of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-six gynecologists working in public or private Italian hospitals, without specific experience in reproductive medicine and ART, were administered a multiple-choice answer questionnaire addressing (a) the effect of age on woman's spontaneous fecundity, (b) the tools to estimate the ovarian follicular reserve, and (c) the outcome of ART in women above 40 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately half of the interviewed gynecologists indicated the woman's age limit for successful reproduction between 44 and 50 years; fertility lifespan was believed to be prolonged by oral contraception, pro-fertility medical treatments, or ART. The correct meaning of serum FSH measurement was known by approximately one third of the interviewed doctors. The effectiveness of ART for women of advanced age was overestimated by half of the gynecologists, especially in case of patients having regular cycles and/or small follicles at ultrasound.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the survey clearly showed that the knowledge of hospital gynecologists about the effects of age on woman's fertility and ART effectiveness is largely insufficient to offer scientifically correct, helpful information to patients. Properly targeted corrections to academic and periodical educational programs for Ob/Gyn specialists are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Gynecology and Obstetrics I, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Gynecological and Obstetrical Sciences, Sant'Anna Hospital, University of Torino, Turin, Italy. alberto.revelli@unito.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Revelli
authors.affiliation: Gynecology and Obstetrics I, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Gynecological and Obstetrical Sciences, Sant'Anna Hospital, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Razzano
authors.affiliation: Gynecology and Obstetrics I, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Gynecological and Obstetrical Sciences, Sant'Anna Hospital, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delle Piane
authors.affiliation: Gynecology and Obstetrics I, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Gynecological and Obstetrical Sciences, Sant'Anna Hospital, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casano
authors.affiliation: Gynecology and Obstetrics I, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Gynecological and Obstetrical Sciences, Sant'Anna Hospital, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benedetto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000502:physiology; D010820:Physicians; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral
keywords: Age; Assisted reproduction techniques; Fertility; Fertility awareness; Gynecologist