Reproductive Health at the Forefront of Women's Agenda
Results of the annual 'Women's Health Index' study have been presented, which over 10 years has recorded changes in the culture of self-care. 58% of women have no conditions preventing pregnancy, but 27% face reproductive health issues.
Reproductive Health at the Forefront of Women's Agenda: How the Culture of Self-Care Has Changed Over Ten Years
Introduction
April 2026 marked a significant event in the Russian medical and social agenda: the results of the tenth annual 'Women's Health Index' study, conducted by pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter in collaboration with the NAFI Analytical Center, were released. Over ten years, the project, which started as a series of surveys on women's attitudes toward contraception and family planning, has evolved into a unique longitudinal snapshot capturing deep changes in the culture of self-care.
This year's figures are mixed. On one hand, 58% of surveyed women reported having no conditions that prevent natural conception. On the other, 27% of respondents admitted to facing reproductive health issues, and the share of Russian women who visit a gynecologist annually has dropped from 76% to 58% over the decade. These data raise a crucial question: why, despite the declared value of health, is actual preventive activity declining, and what is happening to reproductive attitudes across generations?
Event Details and Timeline
On April 14, 2026, a press conference was held in Moscow to present the study results. Participants included Oliver Kenke, CEO of Gedeon Richter Pharma; sociologist Irina Gildebrandt; and Professor Irina Kuznetsova, President of the International Association of Gynecologists, Endocrinologists, and Therapists (MAGET).
Key findings from the study, which covered thousands of women from over 50 regions of Russia, revealed concerning trends:
- Decline in preventive activity: In 2016, 76% of women regularly had preventive gynecological check-ups; by 2026, only 58% did. A drop of 18 percentage points.
- Shifting reproductive intentions: Among women aged 18–24, the share planning pregnancy within the next five years fell from 66% in 2016 to 50% in 2026. Meanwhile, the share of those undecided rose from 2% to 11%.
- Later motherhood gaining momentum: In the 35–45 age group, pregnancy planning increased from 20% in 2016 to 24% in 2026. This correlates with Rosstat data showing the average age of first childbirth in Russia has reached 26.
- Reproductive health status: 58% of women reported no conditions hindering conception, but 27% indicated such problems. The prevalence of infertility across Russian regions, according to scientific publications, ranges from 15% to 25%.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Naira Markarova (Ekaterininskaya Clinic network) commented: about 36% of women do not visit a gynecologist because 'they have no complaints'—a position she called 'quite dangerous,' as many diseases (HPV, endometriosis, cysts, fibroids) are asymptomatic in early stages.
Impact and Significance (for the World/Industry/Society)
The data from the 'Women's Health Index 2026' have implications far beyond medical statistics.
For the healthcare system, the study identifies a systemic problem: while the state actively develops maternal and child health programs (infant mortality has reached a historic low, and coverage of reproductive-age citizens with medical check-ups has reached 35%), the primary level of women's health—regular preventive check-ups—remains at risk. The 18% decline in gynecologist visits over a decade is an alarming signal: women no longer perceive prevention as necessary, pushing diagnosis of many diseases to later stages.
For society, the study reveals a value shift that is hard to characterize unequivocally. On one hand, awareness is growing: 91% of women consider self-care a necessity, and 74% have paid more attention to personal comfort and inner state over the past three years. On the other hand, this focus on 'self here and now' paradoxically combines with postponing doctor visits and blurring reproductive plans.
Sociologists note a transformation in women's roles: while family and financial stability remain priorities, women increasingly make decisions 'in favor of themselves' based on internal value systems. However, half of respondents (50%) admit to regularly feeling pressure from the 'ideal woman' image—from appearance expectations to career and family.
For demographic policy, the Index data pose a challenge. The decline in young women planning pregnancy, combined with an increase in the 'undecided' group, creates turbulence for birth rate forecasts. Professor Irina Kuznetsova links increased planning among women aged 35–45 to state support for IVF programs: 'Many quotas are provided. This is largely aimed at older women, as they face more fertility issues.'
Reactions of Key Players
The medical and expert community responded to the study results with concern. Doctors emphasize that reduced preventive check-ups pose direct health risks. As Naira Markarova noted, 'Benign ovarian tumors, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, sexually transmitted infections, cysts, fibroids, polyps, precancerous cervical conditions—all these can be detected during a visit to a specialist.'
Paradoxically, there is positive dynamics at the clinical practice level. At the same Ekaterininskaya Clinic, the number of gynecological consultations increased by 19% over the year—from 5,790 to 6,866. This may indicate that the overall decline in visits is not due to all women, but to those who never visited a doctor 'without a reason.'
The pharmaceutical industry, represented by Gedeon Richter, uses the project's decade to build sustainable communication around women's health. The company positions the Index as a monitoring tool to adjust information campaigns and educational programs.
The state, in turn, continues to expand support programs for reproductive technologies. Coverage of reproductive-age citizens with medical check-ups has reached 35%, and the number of ART procedures in Russia has multiplied in recent years. However, as studies show, Russians' attitudes toward these technologies remain complex: 71–73% are willing to use them if necessary, but many cite high costs, fear of complications, or religious considerations.
Forecast and Conclusions
What can be expected in the next 3–5 years based on trends captured by the 'Women's Health Index 2026'?
First, the gap between declared health value and actual preventive behavior will persist unless systemic changes in women's education occur. 36% do not see a gynecologist 'because they have no complaints'—an indicator of low health literacy that needs to be improved through mass communications, patient schools, and integration of preventive check-ups into corporate wellness programs.
Second, the age structure of motherhood will continue to shift upward. Increased pregnancy planning among women aged 35–45, alongside a decline among youth, is a stable trend. This means demand for assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, egg freezing) will grow, and the state will need to increase quotas and improve legislation in this area.
Third, the very category of 'self-care' will become increasingly holistic. Studies show that women increasingly associate health not only with the absence of disease but also with mental well-being, financial independence, and relationship quality. This opens space for integrating gynecological prevention into broader wellness programs.
Conclusion: The decade-long 'Women's Health Index' has captured a complex, ambivalent picture. On one hand, women have become more aware of their own needs and values. On the other, this awareness does not always translate into actions to preserve reproductive health. The 18% decline in regular gynecologist visits is a challenge that must be addressed by the healthcare system, educational institutions, employers, and media. Reproductive health is no longer a 'women's issue' but a matter of national demographic security. And here, prevention, not treatment, must become the main strategy.
— Editorial Team
