Russia: should childless people be referred to a psychologist?
Do childless people have to see a psychologist on referral?
19.03.2026
Article published on the miloserdie.ru website
Under what circumstances will childless women be referred to a psychologist, and what would they discuss?
According to Russian Federation Ministry of Health guidelines, men and women from 18 to 49 years of age can receive advice on fertility issues as part of a reproductive health check-up. This can be undertaken under the mandatory health insurance scheme, during a routine medical assessment, or a professional examination carried out by a gynaecologist or urologist.
Reproductive health screening includes a basic examination and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing for infections, which could lead to further investigations depending on the results. It has been reported that if a woman answers “zero” to the question “How many children would you like to have, including those already born?” when completing the fertility questionnaire, she will be advised to see a psychologist “with the aim of fostering a positive attitude towards having children”.
Such a referral is advisory and not compulsory as the guidelines are not enforceable by law or legal regulation. “Consultations are only carried out with a woman’s consent”, says Natalya Dolgushina, Chief Specialist in Women’s Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health.
If a difficult life situation is identified, women will be advised on how they get support, says Dolgushina. Furthermore, women will also be informed that the optimal age for having children is between 18 and 35 years of age.
