This Monday marked the start of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), an initiative started in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and what is now the largest public awareness campaign that addresses the public health issue of infertility.
Although many of you may not have known this week exists, you probably do know someone – friend, family member, co-worker, or even yourself – that has struggled with infertility.
Over 6 million U.S. women ages 15 to 44 have difficulty getting or staying pregnant. A recent survey even said that 33 percent of American adults reported that they or someone they know has used some type of fertility treatment in order to try to have a baby.
From Isolation to Connection
Although it used to be impossible to even find relevant information online about infertility, if you search the internet for infertility blogs today, there’s an overwhelming amount to choose from. Healthline even created a list of the best infertility blogs in 2019 that lists 13 different blogs.
There are more conversations about it on public platforms, like TV shows, movies, social media, and even celebrities willing to share their stories. Infertility is incredibly difficult, but it has been enormously positive to see the changes in the way our communities provide support.
There is Still More to be Done
Amidst these positive changes, we are still living in a post-Roe world, and the many concerns and challenges that brings our community. To date, there have not been any known legal cases in which a patient’s access to fertility treatments has been overtly threatened or restricted, but there are growing concerns that such incidents may happen in states with strict abortion laws. With the most recent incident in Alabama, concerns and fears that we could be moving down a path where fertility care is restricted or endangered are very real.
How You Can Get Involved
This is why National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is so important. When we come together and talk about infertility and the struggles people face when building a family, we…
- Enhance public understanding that infertility needs and deserves attention.
- Educate lawmakers about the barriers people still face.
- Ensure that people trying to build a family know the guidelines for seeing a specialist and the options they have to build a family.
Whether you’re a professional, patient, or supporting someone with infertility, we have a chance to leave a lasting impression during NIAW. Now is the moment to change the conversation around infertility, who it impacts, the barriers too many face, and what our policy-makers and support systems can do to help.
Through social media, local events, or advocating for change, together, let’s inform our communities, the media, and lawmakers what they can do to help support the cause.
About STL Fertility
At STL Fertility, we believe in empowerment through community and education, and we’re proud to use our platform to inform and engage our local community on how we can support the right to parenthood for all. To stay current on the latest in fertility, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
