Do you think it's the place of a GP to warn you of decreasing fertility over 35 when giving you a prescription for contraceptive?

[TheCountessOlenska]

I am not sure what I think!

On the one hand - your GP knows nothing of your life and choices, so it's not really their business.

On the other hand - I guess they don't want to see you come back wanting IVF in a few years and feel that they didn't warn you? (or maybe it could be a concern about the drain on NHS funds!)

This actually happened to someone I know and she's only 30! She was

Yes I do. I don't see the harm.

Well, I'm sure that most women already know that fertility decreases with age past about 35.

Yes I do think it's their place to inform their clients as so many people are really not aware of this.

I think it's fair that they mention it in a non personal way IYSWIM! Mine mentioned it when I went in to get contraceptive advice after my second child was around 8 months or so. All he said was "If you are planning any more I'd advise you not to wait too long." I was 38 at the time and he was absolutely right.

I'd say mentioning it to a 30 year old was a bit tight though.

yes why not Its a bit late if they don't tell her, she didn't know and thought it was going to be a breeze to come off the pill at 38 and get pregnant.

Its not about the cost of IVF to the NHS (which isn;t much because its so hard to get) - its the devastation that infertility can cause.

I think it is good that they mention it. Lots of women just don't realise (I've had to explain to several colleagues that it is indeed true) and tend to say "but X had a baby at 40", without realising how much lower a chance they will have if they wait.

Yes.

As long as it's done sensitively and not making huge assumptions.

I get asked about contraception and I had the menopause age 38. I don't take offence because it's good healthcare. I do wonder why they don't read my notes mind you

don't see the problem,docs warn against smoking,alcohol etc so why not just mention fading fertility.He was hardly forcing her to have children NOW

What's the harm ?
She either knew before or she didn't, but now she does for sure and it is not going to hurt her.
For enough for mentioning to a 30 year old, gives her five years to consider her options.

Why not?
It's part of a GP's job to make you aware of things that might have a bearing on your lifestyle, mental or physical health and future choices, and it is surprising hw much most people don't know about their own bodies.

Well, who else's going to tell you?

Most women know.. - well yes, I thought a lot of people just knew things 'what? EVERYONE knows xyz' it's only been as I've talked to mums at toddler group etc I've realised loads of people just actually, genuinely, have no idea about some stuff that 'everybody' knows.

I try not to assume now because it's made me look like I'm trying to make someone else look like a tit iyswim.

Is 30 a bit soon. Well if it's done it's done. Gives you time to spend coming off of hormonal contraception and to try if you want to.

Well ... is it 35 or 30?

I suppose someone has to mention to those living under a rock.

It's medical advice and a GP is a doctor. I'd say that was about right. If the postman or window cleaner said it then that would be a bit weird (unless said postman or window cleaner was your close friend or DH maybe?)

GP, yes. but i do wish various ramdom people would stop telling me the same thing, however good their intentions.

Oh & my f**king B and SIL telling me, out of the blue, that DP & i 'will not be having children' (for no reason i can understand, i mean the only thing i has said on the topic was we would like DCs but i am not a spring chicken. i am 38).

Why on earth not? He doesn't need to know your life and choices, he just needs to be able to tell you what your body will allow your options to be.

His job, surely.

i don't see a problem. I know a lot of women in their 30s who think they have until at least 40. Not everyone is so lucky. I remember a nurse gently saying something along the lines described when I was about 33 and I thought she was nuts. Well I went on to have fertility problems ...

What an odd question. Of course it's his job.

...my B & SIL werent talking about the risk increasing of infertility increasing with age, they were wishing it upon me.

i avoid them as much as possible since, make like everything is fine at family events, but really i want to stay away from them until hopefully i have a DC.

I was more bothered when mine kept mentioning the coil. Like it would be irresponsible to have more than two kids.

If Its not the gps place to say it whose is it?!

I'd far rather the gp than family and friends tbh

Fair enough the GP telling you. It's kind of their job to check people are aware about possible consequences of lifestyle choices.

And not all women are aware about fertility decreasing after 35. At least some women will know or read about women having babies in their 40's, and think that this means all women are fertile until then.

Seeing as it is true its a helpful thing to point out, in case someone didnt know.

Well yes, it's part of the GP's job isn't it?

Yes, it's absolutely the place of the GP to warn of such things. She's prescribing a medication for a purpose, and she's telling you a medical fact related to the use of the medication. It's not a judgement of whether or not you want children. Presumably, there are some women out there who don't know, and it is the GP's job to keep them informed.