ArticleCureus2026
Internet and Media Use in the Context of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology: Empowerment or Overload?
Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background Infertility is a major public health issue affecting approximately one in six couples worldwide. Beyond its medical implications, it carries significant psychological and social burdens, particularly in contexts where procreation is highly valued. Faced with barriers to accessing assisted reproductive technology (ART), many women turn to the Internet and media as primary sources of information. However, the reliability and clarity of online content remain variable, sometimes contributing to misinformation and increased anxiety. Objective To assess the frequency, sources, motivations, trust, satisfaction, and perceived impact of Internet and media use for infertility and ART-related information among women consulting in a specialized reproductive health center. Methods We conducted a prospective observational descriptive cross-sectional study between January and March 2025 among 100 women of reproductive age consulting for infertility in a specialized center. Participants were recruited randomly and completed a self-administered questionnaire exploring sociodemographic characteristics, digital practices, information sources, level of trust, satisfaction, and perceived impact. Data were analyzed using Epi Info™ version 7.2.5.0 (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA). Results Almost all participants reported using the Internet for infertility or assisted reproductive technology-related information (99/100, 99%). The most frequently consulted sources were specialized medical websites (57/100, 57%), social media platforms (56/100, 56%), and online videos (53/100, 53%). The most commonly searched topics were treatment options (79/100, 79%), success rates (70/100, 70%), and causes of infertility (67/100, 67%). The main motivations for Internet use were better understanding of the condition (78/100, 78%), exploring therapeutic options (63/100, 63%), and obtaining a second opinion (40/100, 40%). Online information improved knowledge for 85 participants (85/100, 85%) and facilitated decision-making for 78 participants (78/100, 78%). However, increased stress related to online information was reported by 80 participants (80/100, 80%), and 34 participants (34/100, 34%) felt that the available information was not adapted to their personal situation. Despite this, high satisfaction with information provided by healthcare professionals was reported by 88 participants (88/100, 88%). Conclusion The Internet and media have become indispensable sources of information for women facing infertility, supporting knowledge acquisition and decision-making. However, the heterogeneity and potential inaccuracy of online resources may increase patient anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of healthcare professionals in guiding patients toward reliable, evidence-based, and contextualized information to optimize infertility care.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.