In Italy, the demographic decline continues: infertility in couples is one of the causes. Here’s an overview of treatments, surgical options and preventive diagnostics
On 28th and 29th November 2024, UniCamillus University had the privilege of hosting, in the main lecture theatre of UniLabs, the National Conference of the Italian Society of Reproduction (SIdR) and the Italian Society of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (SIPO)—an extremely important event for medicine and fertility research.
The meeting brought together leading national and international experts to discuss the challenges of infertility, a growing problem in Italy with profound implications for society and birth rate.
According to the latest data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), just over 379,000 births were registered in Italy in 2023, with a birth rate of 6.4 per 1,000 inhabitants, down from 6.7 per 1,000 registered the previous year. Compared to 2022, there was a reduction of about 14,000 births, a decrease of 3.6%. In 2024, the decline in births will continue: according to preliminary data for the period from January to July, there were about 4,600 births less than in the same period last year.
The reasons are certainly not only related to infertility, as there are various economic and social problems that affect our country. However, the difficulty of having a baby also plays a role: according to the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 15% of couples in Italy are infertile. Moreover, socio-economic reasons and fertility are often intertwined: it is not uncommon to decide to postpone pregnancy to a more stable time in terms of job security, only to find that you have fewer biological options.
The key words are information and awareness
How do Italians perceive all this? During the event, data from a survey carried out by the Istituto Piepoli—a research and marketing institute—was discussed, according to which 69% of Italians consider infertility to be a common problem that affects both sexes, dispelling the misconception that it is only a female issue.
The subject is often taboo, with 67% of Italians believing that many people feel very embarrassed to talk about it. In addition to stigma, there is also the perception that access to treatment is difficult, with 69% of Italians believing that treatment is too expensive and not easily accessible. In addition, only one in four Italians knows that assisted reproductive technology (ART) is available.
In Italy, ART techniques are regulated by Law 40/2004, which is considered to be outdated: in the same survey, 33% of respondents were in favour of using abandoned embryos for research or for infertile couples; 30% would like to see ART made available to single women; and 28% would like to see more public funding for research and support for egg donation.
This data therefore paints a complex but significantly important picture: the problem of infertility is very much felt at a social level, but 75% of Italians do not know how to deal with it. This is why events such as the National Conference of SIdR and SIPO are necessary, with the double aim of informing the general public and raising awareness among the institutions to make treatment easier and cheaper to access.
ART as a treatment for infertility and more
The conference highlighted the role of assisted reproductive technology in addressing the declining birth rate and helping couples who have difficulty conceiving a child.
The event also focused on the decline in male fertility, an increasingly important factor in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in couples: factors affecting semen quality and their impact on child conception were discussed. In addition, much attention was paid to the ovarian reserve testing, a crucial aspect of infertility treatment planning.
Another key topic was the use of various methods in assisted fertility programmes, including endometrial receptivity testing (ERA) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which optimise the likelihood of successful treatment and reduce the risk of hereditary diseases, representing a qualitative step forward in fertility medicine.
Methods of preserving fertility, especially for cancer patients or those who wish to postpone pregnancy and new frontiers in the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were also discussed.
The use of artificial intelligence in the success of ART was an inevitable topic: the benefits and challenges were explored, as was the future potential of AI in improving treatment outcomes.
Experts also discussed conditions that affect fertility, such as endometriosis and uterine anomalies, as well as advanced surgical treatments to improve embryo implantation and increase the chances of conceiving a child in patients with these problems.
UniCamillus confirms its commitment to research
UniCamillus University reaffirms its leading role in medical research and training by organising an event aimed not only at informing medical professionals, but also at promoting a more open culture of infertility. In the event’s official press release, the Rector of UniCamillus, Gianni Profita, stressed the importance of moments such as this conference, which foster the exchange of knowledge between experts and contribute to the promotion of effective solutions to fertility problems. During the event, he added: “In Italy, more than in other countries, we are suffering a truly dramatic demographic decline. There are many actions that can be taken to address this, from a legislative, social, cultural and scientific point of view. The institution that best combines all these actions is the University, which can propose legislative changes, carry out scientific studies and promote cultural change”.
Professor Ermanno Greco, President of the conference and lecturer in Gynaecology and Midwifery at UniCamillus, played a leading role in the conference, as he is a renowned expert in gynaecology, endocrinology and andrology, with a career spanning 40 years of prestigious academic and clinical experience. With his extensive knowledge and constant commitment to research and innovation, he is considered a leading expert in the field of fertility medicine and assisted reproduction. Professor Greco has been a strong proponent of this scientific event and has contributed significantly to its realisation. “This conference really takes stock of the latest developments in the scientific field in order to identify not only the causes of infertility, but also the correct diagnostic and therapeutic approach for couples”, explains Professor Greco. “This year we also wanted to give the conference a more social and communicative focus—that’s because medical practitioners are often accused of being distant from the lives of their patients. For this reason, this edition also featured professionals in the field of social communication, namely renowned journalists such as Elisa Triani, Eleonora Daniele, Francesca Parisella and Gerardo D’Amico“.
The SIdR and SIPO National Conference is a unique opportunity to deepen knowledge about infertility and to raise awareness among both institutions and members of the public about the need to pay more attention to this issue. UniCamillus, with its commitment to research and the training of qualified professionals, continues to play a leading role in supporting the evolution of the health system, promoting a more inclusive and informed culture of fertility at a time of demographic crisis troubling the future of our country.
