Young women's perceptions of fertility-related information and fertility distress before surgery for ovarian cysts.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate young women's reproductive desire and perceptions of fertility-related information when scheduled for ovarian cyst surgery with a possible impact on fertility.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

University Hospital.

POPULATION

Women of reproductive age (n = 106, mean age 32.3 years, range 18-44 years) with a diagnosis of ovarian cyst and scheduled ovarian cyst surgery between March 2011 and September 2012 were included.

METHODS

The women answered a questionnaire after the presurgery consultation with the gynecologist. The questionnaire included study-specific measures of reproductive desire, perception of fertility-related information received, worry about future fertility and sociodemographic characteristics.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Reproductive desire and recalled information on the impact of surgery on fertility.

RESULTS

A high proportion of the women (72%) reported a desire for having children in the future and more than half of them (58%) recalled receiving information about the impact of surgery on fertility. In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for parity, education and age, a desire to have children increased the likelihood of recalling having received fertility-related information (odds ratio 3.2, 95% CI 1.1-9.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half of women with reproductive desire had ovarian surgery without recalling a discussion of fertility issues. Development of written information or interactive information might improve women's perception of fertility-related information.