Knowledge, attitudes, and needs concerning fertility and preconceptional health in Germany—insights from a pilot survey

Preconception health plays a key role in maternal and fetal outcomes. However, structured preconception counselling (PCC) has not yet been established in Germany or Austria. To explore knowledge, awareness, and counselling needs, a pilot survey was conducted among 52 participants (41 women, 11 men, 1 unspecified) during the "Long Night of Science" at Ulm University. Fertility knowledge was moderate, with notable gaps regarding age-related fertility decline and other relevant aspects of preconception health (e.g., folic acid intake, normotension, review of medication). Lifestyle factors such as abstaining from alcohol and nicotine were widely acknowledged. Most participants expressed an interest in reproductive health and considered PCC beneficial, preferably delivered by gynaecologists. The findings of our exploratory study underscore the need for developing a structured program for PCC and call for larger representative studies.