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KVINNEHELSE-Kvinners helse og kjønnsperspektiver

Women’s fertility – an essential component of health and well-being

Alternative title: Kvinners fertilitet

Awarded: NOK 16.0 mill.

During the past 50 years, the general health of women has increased. However, in the same time period, an increasing number of women seek treatment for infertility. Infertility, and childlessness, is associated with increased risk of early death and chronic disease. The mechanisms behind these associations are poorly understood. Both social and biological pathways are suggested. Underlying causes of subfertility may contribute to later disease risk. Not having been pregnant, breastfeeding or having children may directly affect the physiology, but it may also the lifestyle and social support of women, and thereby increase the risk of adverse health. Understanding the causes and consequences of infertility is important for understanding women?s health and well-being. Although some causes of female infertility are well known, others are not. In this project we are presently carrying out clinical examinations of young women ages 18-24. The examinations enables us to describe their reproductive potential. We are now actively working to increase recruitment to the study within this target group. These women have been followed from fetal life through childhood in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child study (MoBa). In the time to follow, will investigate how fetal and childhood factors relate to reproductive status as young adults. Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors risk factors will be studied as potential links between reproduction and chronic diseases. By also studying the mothers of the young women, this study will increase knowledge on the importance of reproductive potential and fertility in women's health through the life course. Given the established association between infertility and adverse health and well-being, the potential public-health benefits are significant.

During the past 50 years, the general health of women have increased. However, in the same time period, an increasing number of women seek treatment for infertility. Infertility, and childlessness, is associated with increased risk of early death and chronic disease. The mechanisms behind these associations are poorly understood. Both social and biological pathways are suggested. Underlying causes of subfertility may contribute to later disease risk. Not having been pregnant, breastfeeding or having children may directly affect the physiology, but also the lifestyle and social support of women, and thereby increase the risk of adverse health. Understanding the causes and consequences of infertility is important for understanding women’s health and well-being. Although some causes of female infertility are well known, others are not. In this project we will examine 800 young women ages 18-24 and describe their reproductive potential through clinical examinations. These women have been followed from fetal life through childhood in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child study (MoBa). We will invstigate how fetal and childhood factors relate to reproductive status. Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors risk factors will be studied as potential links between reproduction and chronic disesases. The mothers in MoBa will be up to age 70 during the study period. We will study how their fertility history and several measures of reduced fertility relate to chronic diseases in adulthood and older age. We will link MoBa to Norwegian health registries to identify chronic diseases during their adult life. The results from this study will increase knowledge on the importance of reproductive potential and ferility in women's health. Early detection of women with reduced reproductive potential may guide policy and advice to women. Given the established association between infertility and adverse health and well-being, the potential public-health benefits are significant.

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KVINNEHELSE-Kvinners helse og kjønnsperspektiver

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