Journalist in Oslo highlights importance of fertility awareness in schools

Penny Wayne Claire Kembba, a 33-year-old journalist living in Oslo, recently shared her experience about fertility testing. She first underwent a fertility check at 28, motivated by a childhood plan to marry and have children by the age of 30, which didn’t materialize as she chose to prioritize her career and travel instead. The fertility assessment revealed normal results, but also uncovered a family history of early menopause and ovarian failure, putting her at risk.

Kembba believes that understanding fertility should be part of school curricula. She wished she had access to this information earlier, as it would have better prepared her for her reproductive choices. Her story is featured in the NRK Radio podcast “Burde vært pensum.”

Anne Marte Valset Vaarlund, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, emphasizes the importance of checking fertility reserves in women’s late 20s and early 30s. She explains that fertility begins to decline after the age of 35. According to Vaarlund, blood tests can provide insights into a woman’s egg reserves, which could influence decisions about starting a family.

Conversely, Tilde Broch Østborg, a specialist in women’s health at Stavanger University Hospital, expresses skepticism about these tests, suggesting they could lead to false hope or undue distress. She argues that actual attempts at conception are more telling of fertility, unless underlying medical issues exist.

Kembba decided to freeze her eggs a few years after her fertility check to keep her options open for the future, stating that having this knowledge has given her peace of mind.