First steps of France’s fertility campaign unveiled

France’s government will launch its campaign against infertility by sending a virtual letter to all 29-year-olds in the country about possible help with conceiving.

The letter is the first step in a campaign by the government to bring awareness to fertility issues for younger people in France as birth rates continue to fall.

It comes more than two years after French President Emmanuel Macron declared his ambitions to tackle an infertility crisis in the country via a ‘demographic rearmament’ of the nation.

Original plans were outlined in February, but the original letter to be sent out faced criticism from advocacy groups and health professionals for being patronising and intrusive. The government has responded with an updated copy.

“Fertility is a major public health issue that concerns both women and men. Too often, difficulties are discovered late, even though we can act sooner to provide better information, prevention, and support,” said the ministry of health in a statement on the matter yesterday (November 3).

In 2023, 164,000 attempts of medically assisted reproduction (procréation médicalement assistée) were made in France. 

Around three million people in France face fertility issues.

Letter outlining possible help

Between November 16 - 20, all 29-year-olds will receive a letter through their online Assurance Maladie space (the Ameli website) about their fertility options. 

It will “inform them about fertility-related issues and options for fertility preservation,” the health ministry said.

It will not ask people to do anything, but encourage those who want to have children to visit a health professional for preconception consultation before trying for a baby.

Aside from age, several other factors can impact fertility, including sleep, diet, physical activity, as well as smoking and drinking. 

It will also outline options available in France for freezing eggs (available for women aged 29 to 37, usable up to the age of 45) or sperm (men aged 29 to 45, usable up to their 60th birthday). 

It recommends couples trying for a baby organise a visit to a health professional if they are unsuccessful after one year, or six months if aged 35 or over.

More steps to come

This is one of several steps in the plan.

Young people aged 18-25 will see new fertility-focused components to their Mon Bilan Prévention (preventative healthcare check-ups). 

A portal titled ‘Ma fertilité’ has been launched on the Santé.fr website, providing a one-stop shop for links relating to fertility. The portal will be expanded with additional information over time.

More information about fertility will be available in doctor’s offices for young people. 

Finally, increases to the number of egg freezing centres have already taken effect, with 30 new centres authorised since February (and a total of 70 now authorised or open nationally).