Health-Seeking Behavior for Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Strategic Insights -

According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, approximately 60% of people experiencing infertility seek healthcare, but the proportion varies widely across studies, ranging from 25% to 98%. The findings, published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, highlight the importance of addressing barriers to equitable health-seeking behaviors for infertility. The research, conducted by ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, reveals significant disparities in health-seeking behavior, with fewer studies from lower- and middle-income countries and mostly among women indicating a skewed epistemic positioning of the existing research.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pooled proportion of health-seeking behavior for infertility is 60%, with a 95% confidence interval of 53-67 (I = 99.89%, p = 0.00).
  • The proportion of health-seeking behavior for infertility varies widely across studies, ranging from 25% to 98%.
  • Majority of the studies included in the analysis were cross-sectional surveys (23, 92%) conducted among women (19, 76%), using self-reported infertility (24, 96%).
  • Drugs, surgery, traditional or complementary medicine, and assisted reproductive technology were the predominant types of health-seeking behavior.
  • Higher education, older age, higher income, and having healthcare insurance were most frequently associated with seeking care for infertility.
  • The research notes that two out of five diagnosed with infertility are not seeking healthcare.
  • The findings provide critical insights for policymakers and healthcare providers to address the barriers that prevent equitable health-seeking behaviors.

Statistics:

  • 25% - 98%: The proportion of health-seeking behavior for infertility across studies.
  • 60%: The pooled proportion of health-seeking behavior for infertility.
  • 95% CI: 53-67: The 95% confidence interval of the pooled proportion of health-seeking behavior.
  • 99.89%: The I2 statistic indicating high heterogeneity across studies.
  • 0.00: The p-value indicating significant heterogeneity across studies.
  • 23: The number of cross-sectional surveys included in the analysis.
  • 92%: The proportion of studies that were cross-sectional surveys.
  • 19: The number of studies conducted among women.
  • 76%: The proportion of studies conducted among women.
  • 24: The number of studies using self-reported infertility.
  • 96%: The proportion of studies using self-reported infertility.

Sources:

  • European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
  • Rajalakshmi Elumalai, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Saranya Jaisankar, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally, Radha Vembu, and Tarun Bhatnagar
  • Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • NewsRx LLC (2025) New Infertility Findings from ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology Described (Health-seeking behavior for infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. November 3, 2025; p 330.