Not talking about hard and uncomfortable issues often does more harm than good. When it comes to women’s health it is especially detrimental to their well-being and the type of care they receive. Women’s health is so often put on the backburner and stigmatized, that hiding it behind closed doors makes care inaccessible for so many. That’s why it’s important to talk about fertility issues and infertility this World Fertility Day which falls on November 2nd. The more people talk about their experiences and concerns, the more expansive education will be. Women often don’t know what they don’t know, and seeking help can be difficult. Creating a safe space for people to talk about their personal stories can help other women get the resources they need to fight obstacles that come along with family planning.
Did you know that infertility is more common than you might realize? Studies show that 1 in 6 couples experience infertility, which means 6.7 million people have trouble conceiving a child each year. There are so many different statistics surrounding fertility, but the main thing to know is that there is no universal road to having a child. Each and every woman’s experience is different, and having an open line of communication can help mothers not feel so alone.
The goal of this World Fertility Day is to bring awareness to the struggles so many women and couples have when it comes to family planning, and then providing them with resources to hopefully tackle these obstacles. Women’s health is often swept under the rug and days like this help give people an avenue to feel supported and taken care of.
“Trying to conceive a child can be one of the most vulnerable experiences couples go through. The fact that 1 in 6 are affected by infertility shows that it’s a common problem and that’s why this day is so important. It highlights the struggles that people go through, helping them feel not so alone in their journey,” says Proov CEO Amy Beckley.
Not only does having open conversation about fertility help people feel connected to each other, but it can help guide people to healthcare. There are so many options out there to help people get pregnant; including at-home fertility testing, medications, natural supplements, lifestyle changes, IVF, surrogacy and adoption. Because there are so many options it can be hard for couples to narrow down what might work for them. Everybody is different and what works for one person, might not work for another. That’s why it’s important to talk about and share fertility experiences because it can help inform couples on what their options are.
“Women’s health education is so often put on the backburner. This day also provides solutions for couples and access to resources that will help them navigate this journey. Whether it’s fertility testing, holistic measures or even IVF treatment, there are ways for women to conceive, but they don’t know what they don’t know. When we amplify awareness and education we are highlighting different avenues couples can take to be proactive about their fertility,” says Beckley.
Having open conversations about women’s health, and fertility specifically, helps create a community that feels comfortable to share their experiences. This can help people learn about what their options are, but it can also help people grieve who have experienced loss. Having people around you who listen and make you feel validated can create a world of difference for some people. Infant loss and infertility are some of the toughest things people can go through, and having a day designated to highlight women and their fertility is so necessary.
The more people talk about women’s health, the fewer misconceptions there will be. Couples deserve to feel supported year-round, but this World Fertility Day is a start to destigmatizing fertility as a whole. How can you show support for people around you?