Thursday, March 19, 2026 5:00:04 PM

Russian women who do not plan to have children may be referred to a psychologist “to foster positive attitudes toward childbirth,” according to a document approved by the Russian Health Ministry, as reported by TASS. The agency clarifies that a woman’s reluctance to have children can be identified “through questionnaires conducted as part of reproductive health checkups.”

“If a patient indicates ‘0’ in response to the medical history questionnaire item, ‘How many children would you like to have, including those already born?’ it is recommended that she be referred for a consultation with a medical psychologist in order to help form positive attitudes toward having children,” the document says.

Women will not be required to see a psychologist if they do not wish to have children. The decision will remain theirs, and the state is merely providing them with such an option, State Duma deputy Leonov told TASS.

The document also says that women who have not been diagnosed with gynecological diseases but do have risk factors for developing them should be given recommendations on how to address those risks:

“For example, it is important to normalize body weight, since the time needed to conceive doubles when body mass index (BMI) exceeds 35 kg/m² and increases fourfold when BMI is below 18 kg/m². It is also necessary to promptly detect and treat sexually transmitted infections.”

It is also recommended to treat somatic illnesses in a timely manner if they may impair reproductive function, including endocrine disorders, cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, and allergic reactions.

(C)UAWIRE 2026