Cluster 2 · Explained
Reproductive health explained
Common conditions and tests, explained from the official guidance: endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, sperm counts, the AMH test, menopause timing and what to do before trying for a baby.
Endometriosis explained: symptoms, diagnosis delays and treatment options
Endometriosis affects about 10% of women and girls of reproductive age, around 190 million people. What the WHO says about symptoms, the long road to diagnosis and treatment.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) explained: diagnosis, long-term risks and treatment
PCOS affects an estimated 10–13% of women of reproductive age, and up to 70% of them are undiagnosed. How it is diagnosed, the health risks and the treatment options.
Are sperm counts really falling? What the evidence says
A 2022 meta-analysis found that average sperm concentration fell by about half between 1973 and 2018. What the study shows, what it does not, and what a 'normal' result means.
What an AMH test can and cannot tell you about fertility
AMH blood tests are sold as 'fertility tests'. Research shows they help predict how many eggs IVF may collect, but do not predict the chance of conceiving naturally.
When does menopause happen? Average age, early menopause and what it means for fertility
The average age of menopause in the UK is 51. What counts as early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency, how common they are, and how menopause relates to fertility.
Before trying for a baby: what the official guidance actually recommends
Folic acid at 400 micrograms a day, when a higher dose is needed, and the risk factors for fertility that can be changed: the official UK guidance, in one place.
In depth
Housing and fertility: what the data say
Does the cost of housing lower birth rates? What OECD data, studies of homeowners and renters in the US and England, and European comparisons actually show, with their limits.
Reproductive health explained is part of the plain-language section of reproduction-online.org. Articles cite their sources and are dated. They explain published guidance and research and are not medical advice.