Prevention is better than cure. When searching in Google in English for the words “prevention for infertility”, almost 52 million options are found. The very first one, however, on our computer speaks on preventing pregnancy (245 million much more appropriate results found on this one). The second one speaks on IVF and ART - too late for prevention, we think - and the third one, not very motivating either, says there are too many factors influencing fertility - both in women and men - to be taken care of, so why bother at all?

Well, because there are millions of couples in Europe who could make a change now and prevent costly and painful treatment and experience later on. So what do we know about our fertility and how to protect it the best way? How do our countries and goverments or NGOs take care of future population? We had a closer look and discovered that there is a whole lot of work ahead.

In March 2011 Fertility Europe during its spring meeting in Prague collected the basic information on situation on Prevention of infertility and Reproductive health in the countries, where it has a member. The outcome was a surprising voice of need of action, much more attention dedicated to prevention of unwanted pregnancy, STD and small scale - however, very interesting and vivid local activities.

Fertility Europe is currently preparing a joint project on Prevention of infertility and reproductive health protection. We will inform you on time on any activities you or your organisation could join. Meanwhile, we are publishing interesting pieces of information on how the subject is tackled in some of our member countries.

Bulgaria
“There is no subject on reproductive health in our secondary school, only optional after school sessions. Medical specialists hold lectures mostly on unwanted pregnancy.”

As volunteers from Iskam Bebe(I want a baby) felt the need of addressing the subject, they have created, together with marketing students, beautiful educational brochures and are currenly looking for sponsors and partners.
Link: www.iskambebe.bg

Norway
“The risk of having no children if transmitted by a STD is communicated at secondary school level, however, there is no information on the high percentage of infertility and Government program or professional institutions only focus on information about how to avoid pregnancy.”

Childwish (Onskebarn) is the proud initiator - also in co-operation with media volunteers - of the eloquent TV add on childwish.
Link: www.onskebarn.no

Czech Republic
“Nothing being said on prevention of infertility or reproductive health in secondary schools. Usually it is only information about contraception and STD. The danger is that hormonal contraception is very usual today, but condoms are missing. Chlamydiae infection is certainly on the rise. Also there is no information on biological limits of reproduction.”

Adam is a partner of an interesting project for man, focusing on prevention of testicular cancer.
Link: www.adamcr.cz

Hungary
“In our country there is no organised program for prevention of reproductive health or family planning. Young people would benefit from it knowing both how to avoid abortions and protect their reproductive health.”

Lombikbébi Támogató Alapitvány (Association Testtube baby) organises a charitable football match each September in order to talk about infertility.
Link: www.lombikbebialapitvany.hu

Romania
“Youth only receives information on birth control. Despite this, the average of pregnancy termination is three times higher than in the Western Europe. Between 1958 and 2008 it was 22 miilion, more than present population of Romania.”

SOS Infertilitatea started a Library program, book in Romanian, English or French, easy to read for Romanians can be borrowed.
Link: www.infertilitate.com

Sweden
“There is a general policy in Sweden, however, no program, deeply founded in terms of not getting pregnant or not to get an STD, but not with regard to family planning or fertility problems. The perception is that medical care can fix almost anything. No care about irregularity of period or age.”

The association Barnlängtan (Child longing) organised dr. Nygren lecturing on “Infertility - our next social diseas?”
Link: www.barnlangtan.com