5 Things Teens (and everyone else too!) Should Know About Fertility

1. Fertility isn’t forever
   It declines with age for all genders. Understanding this early can help with future planning.
   
2. STIs can affect fertility
   Untreated infections, like chlamydia or gonorrhoea, can lead to long-term damage, permanently impacting reproductive health
   
3. You may not always get pregnant right away
   Getting pregnant when you don’t want it or are not ready for it, especially when contraception is not taken care of responsibly, is likely and can even seem inevitable. But once you are ready, you may want to know that even under ideal conditions, the chances of pregnancy per cycle are around 25%
   
4. Lifestyle matters
   Smoking, poor diet, excessive exercise, and substance use can all impact fertility later in life. Not just now, but also when you may need it the most.
   
5. Fertility education = empowerment. Knowing your body and your options means making informed choices – now and in the future.

Let’s give teens (and everyone else, too!) the full picture as part of their school education – because informed choices start with informed minds.

#EFW2025FactsForward