Frequently asked questions
Here you will find answers to some of the more common questions.
If your question is not answered here, please contact a member of the team on the contacts page.
General
I don’t want children – is this still relevant?
Yes, we want to know how common any underlying risk factors or potential causes of fertility problems are in the three groups, regardless of whether or not you have had or want children. This includes things like Polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and STIs, which you can have regardless of whether you want a family or not.
I’m in a same sex relationship – is this still relevant?
Yes, it’s important for a number of reasons. Firstly, we want to know how common the underlying risk factors or causes for fertility problems are in the different groups. This includes things like polycystic ovary syndrome, and STIs, which you can have whatever your sexuality. Secondly, you or your partner may have children, either through IVF or naturally, and this information is very important to us.
Why are you asking me to forward the survey to my sister?
We will be comparing the results of 3 groups to investigate if there are differences in trends and associations. The three groups are: the armed forces, the Metropolitan Police and sisters (biological, step, half and adopted) of both groups.
Why are you asking about exercise and heavy lifting?
Some studies looking at fertility have found an association with exercising frequently or to exhaustion with longer times to pregnancy – both natural conceptions and IVF. Other studies have found that women who lift heavy objects over 11kg, more than 15 times a day can increase the time taken to get pregnant. All of these studies are observational, so reporting associations and not causes.
Military
Why are you asking about shifts – I never work shifts?
Shift work is associated with a number of lifestyle outcomes, including menstrual disturbance. Some servicewomen will work shifts, e.g. nurses.
In this posting my circumstances are very different than usual – should I pretend to be at my last posting, so you get a better picture of my life?
We are trying to get a snapshot of what factors are influencing servicewomen at this point in time. We are aware that postings change frequently, so if we get a snapshot of what is going on at the moment, that will be representative of the military as a whole, as someone will replace you when you move on.
I’m in a same sex relationship – is this still relevant?
Yes, it’s important for a number of reasons. Firstly, you may want to start a family at some point, either naturally or through IVF, so the results will be important to you too. Secondly, we want to understand if there are underlying risk factors or potential causes for fertility problems in the military population, this includes things like Polycystic ovary syndrome, and STIs, which you can have whatever your sexuality.
Why are you not including reservists?
For a number or reasons. Reservists have both civilian and military exposures, hence knowing which group to include reservists in will be difficult as we don’t know which exposures will the most important.
We could treat reservists as an independent group, but 5000 women are required in each group to demonstrate a difference in the results, but there are only 4300 female reservists, so even a 100% response rate may not demonstrate a difference.
Depending on findings, it may be necessary to extend this study to reservists.
Why are you not including service leavers?
For a number of reasons. Service leavers will have both civilian and military exposures, hence knowing which group to include leavers in will be difficult as we don’t know which exposures will be the most important.
The nature and role in which women serve in the Armed Forces has changed considerably over the last 30 years, and this study is designed to look at current employment roles. Depending on findings it may be necessary to extend this research to study service leavers, but it may be that a different type of study is required.