Athletes are curious, but understandably cautious.
Many worry that asking about fertility could be seen as a sign they’re not fully committed to their sport.
So what happens?
They quietly put their fertility plans on hold until retirement.
And that’s completely ok if it’s a conscious, informed decision.
But what I hear far more often is that it feels like the only viable option.
Then I meet athletes.
Brilliant, disciplined, successful women who are now struggling with fertility.
They tell me they wish they’d had better information or more open conversations earlier on.
As a clinician, I believe deeply in informed consent and informed choices.
We live in a time where women are told we can do anything, and we absolutely can.
But we also need to recognise that biology still matters.
One of the most powerful things a female athlete can do is take control of her fertility on her own terms.
That’s why more athletes are now reaching out for:
• Preconception counselling
• A gynaecological health check
• Fertility screening
Not necessarily because they want to get pregnant now,
but because they want clarity.
They want confidence and a sense of control over their future.
Fertility isn’t just a personal matter.
It is a conversation about performance, planning, and long-term wellbeing.
The sporting world needs to make space for it, because athletes already are.
Some forward-thinking federations are beginning to invest in fertility education and support.
It is long overdue.
Here’s what progressive organisations can start doing:
- Weave fertility education into existing athlete health programmes, rather than treating it as an afterthought
- Equip staff, from coaches to physios to doctors, with the skills to discuss fertility with care and confidence
- Offer screening and preconception counselling as an optional part of performance medicine
- Foster a culture where athletes feel safe to ask questions early, not only when they’re facing a crisis
Because the aim isn’t to push women towards a particular decision.
It is to offer real options, and support them fully in whatever path they choose.
If you’re an athlete, coach, or organisation ready to lead the way in this space, I’d love to talk.