New Data Shows Canadians Are Informed About Fertility Ahead of Awareness Week

Yahoo

07-04-2025

Ahead of Fertility Awareness Week, four top Canadian fertility clinics reveal new data proving Canadians are more informed than ever on family planning.
TORONTO, April 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Fertility Awareness Week approaches, new data from four leading fertility clinics across the country, Generation Fertility, Grace Fertility, Heartland Fertility, and Ottawa Fertility Centre, reveals that Canadians are increasingly informed about fertility realities. The survey, conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum, suggests that awareness campaigns are driving positive action, dispelling long-standing myths around reproductive health.
Infertility impacts one in six Canadians1, and these findings key insights into conception, gender, and age to empower Canadians to make informed family-planning decisions.
Key Findings
Canadians Have Realistic Grasp of Conception Timelines - More than half (54%) of Canadians correctly expect conception to take up to six months, and the majority (83%) anticipate pregnancy within a year.
Canadian perception is in line with global scientific findings, showing cumulative conception rates of approximately 75% after six months2.
Fertility Not Just a Women's Issue – Encouragingly, 65% of Canadians recognize that fertility challenges affect both men and women equally.
This data aligns with global fertility research, indicating that infertility is equally attributed to male factors, female factors, and unexplained causes in one-third of couples.
The Fertility Wake-Up Call: 40 is Not the New 30 - Nearly half (48%) of Canadians believe people should start thinking about family planning between 25-30, with men (25%) more likely than women (18%) to believe fertility awareness should begin even earlier.
Consistent with global data, this finding shows women's fertility does decline gradually but significantly starting around age 32, with a more rapid decrease after age 37.
"Canadians are more informed than ever before about fertility, and while we've come a long way, there is still progress to be made," says Dr. Michael Hartman, Fertility Specialist and Medical Director at Generation Fertility. "While general guidelines suggest trying for six months to a year depending on age, we at Generation Fertility suggest that Canadians seek help sooner rather than later because time is crucial if a problem exists."
Provincial Highlights: Regional Awareness Trends
Ontarians Recognize the Realities of Conception
Over half (51%) of Canadians expect conception to occur within the first six months of trying, and 82% expect it will take up to a year. While many Ontarians still anticipate being able to get pregnant relatively quickly, awareness efforts are helping Canadians understand the reality.
"Over our 30 years of providing fertility care and research in Canada, we have seen progress in fertility awareness regarding conception times - these statistics reflect that. It is encouraging to see some patients seeking care earlier, but there is still progress to be made here. Not only does earlier access to care allow for better counselling around options and time to consider these options, but it improves the chance of success with either fertility preservation or fertility treatments to optimize the ability to achieve a person's overall family building goals," says Dr. Jenna Gale, Fertility Specialist at Ottawa Fertility Centre.
British Columbians Acknowledge Male Fertility Factors
In British Columbia., 62% of residents correctly recognize that infertility is not gender-specific. While gaps in knowledge persist, 38% still primarily attribute fertility challenges to women, and this awareness marks a positive shift in understanding the role of male fertility.
"The age-old myth that women bear most of the responsibility for infertility is false. It is key for both partners to undergo fertility assessments to ensure they are addressing all potential factors affecting conception, rather than focusing on one partner's perceived responsibility." - Dr. Ghadeer Akbar, Fertility Specialist at Grace Fertility. "That being said, as women age, egg quality naturally declines. It's never too early to consider egg freezing to preserve your fertility.
Manitobans Are Prioritizing Early Family Planning
Notably, 41% of Manitobans believe in considering family planning between ages 25-30, indicating a proactive approach to fertility, ensuring timely assessments and informed decision-making.
"As a fertility specialist, I've seen Canadians become more aware that pregnancy takes time, especially as women age. Despite greater awareness of fertility challenges, women often bear the weight of guilt and self-blame. I hope greater fertility awareness helps people see that they are not alone, and that it's not their fault," says Dr. Stephanie Appleby, Fertility Specialist at Heartland Fertility. "If you suspect reproductive issues, see a specialist. It's never too soon to take control of your fertility."
Awareness in Action
These findings confirm that national fertility awareness efforts are shifting public perception in a meaningful way. While there is still work to be done, the data demonstrates that Canadians are increasingly well-informed, making educated decisions about their reproductive health.
Methodology:
These are the findings of a study/survey conducted by four clinics within The Fertility Partners network including Generation Fertility, Grace Fertility, Ottawa Fertility Centre, and Heartland Fertility from March 3rd to 4th, 2025 among a representative sample of 1,563 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
1 WHO
2 National Library of Medicine
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