Infertility is a virulent condition that impacts millions of individuals and couples around the world. The stigma and silence often surround the issue of infertility, yet this phenomenon remains largely unaddressed. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 15% of couples find it difficult to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. That number represents some 48 million couples worldwide, a number that tells us just how prevalent infertility really is.
Understanding Infertility
For women under 35, infertility means that they failed to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sex. For women over 35, this period is reduced to six months. Infertility comes in two forms, primary infertility (when a couple has never had a child) and secondary infertility (when a couple has had one or more pregnancies that are successful, but cannot conceive again).
Though it is often emphasised how physically difficult infertility can be, the psychological impact can be equally pronounced. Couples struggling with infertility can feel different emotions, including frustration, sadness, anxiety and loneliness. The process of infertility, with all its medical consultations, treatments and changes in lifestyle, is extremely draining on the relationship and the mind.
Common Causes of Infertility
Infertility can result from different reasons involving both partners. As the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) notes, female causes account for about one-third of infertility cases, male causes for about one-third, and combinations of the two or other explanations.
1. Female Factors:
Ovulatory Conditions: Several conditions, including PCOS and hormonal deficiencies can interfere with ovulation, which makes conception more challenging.
Structural abnormalities: Things such as blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis might prevent the sperm from accessing the egg or influencing embryo development.
Age: Women’s fertility normally starts to diminish in their late 20s and peaks during their 30s and 40s, with declining egg production and quality leading the way.
2. Male Factors:
Low Sperm count, poor motility (movement) and sperm shape can hinder conception.
Hormonal Unbalances: Low testosterone, for example, can affect sperm.
Biological Risks: Certain chemicals, high temperatures, and the environment (smoking and drinking too much alcohol) are known to disrupt male fertility.
Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle choices also play a major role in fertility, both for men and women. Obesity, smoking, alcohol, inadequate diet and stressful situations may influence reproductive health. Taking care of these can help boost fertility and assisted reproductive technologies.
Myths Surrounding Infertility
A number of misconceptions about infertility can lead to stigma. Among the most widely-known myths are:
Fertility is a woman’s problem: To begin with, the belief that infertility is a woman’s issue is widespread. But nothing could be further from the truth. Men and women are equally vulnerable to infertility, with one-third arising from an issue with the female partner, one-third from an issue with the male partner, and the other three-fourths arising from an interplay between the two partners or unknown causes (Inhorn & Patrizio, 2015). So, in more than half of all infertility cases, the male partner is wholly or partly to blame.
Regardless of gender, there are multiple reasons for male and female infertility. For women, common symptoms include irregular ovulation, clogged fallopian tubes, and endometriosis. Likewise, men frequently suffer from infertility as a result of problems with sperm production, such as low sperm counts or low sperm motility, and structural abnormalities in the reproductive system (ASRM, 2021). Having that clarity makes it clear that many of these causes are not related to lifestyle choices and cannot be governed by the person themselves.
Lifestyles cause infertility: Another popular misconception is that it’s lifestyles cause infertility. Certain life styles, including smoking and drinking, can lead to infertility, but there are also many other contributing factors. They can include medical issues, genetics and age. We need to remember that infertility is a complex condition and that there’s rarely one source.
Infertility is a myth: Infertility is also a myth. Indeed, infertility plagues a large proportion of the population. The World Health Organization estimates that as many as one-fifth of couples worldwide are infertile. This suggests it is not an uncommon affliction, and that those experiencing it are not unique.
Rest and relaxation can fix infertility: Finally, it is believed that infertility can be fixed by rest and relaxation. Stress may have a bearing on fertility, but it is not the only cause of infertility. In addition, there is no scientific basis for believing that sleep and relaxation will cure infertility. While stress management and enhancing general wellbeing can help fertility in many ways, please be reminded that infertility is often a multifaceted condition that may require treatment.
The Impact of Infertility
Not being able to conceive can trigger a wide range of emotional responses. Most couples will feel left out because infertility is so stigmatized that we cannot talk about it. Family and friends do not know how to respond and, as a result, talking about baby showers, pregnancy announcements and childrearing is sometimes hurtful or distressing for infertile individuals.
Beyond emotional tolls, infertility also affects relationships. Couples may experience increased stress, different coping styles, and powerful discussions about plans and intentions. Therefore, healthcare providers, therapy and support groups can help couples to work through these barriers.
Seeking Help
As soon as you feel you have an infertility problem, it’s essential to consult with a medical professional. Diagnoses involve several steps, typically including a complete medical history and physical examination, and multiple tests including blood tests, CT scans and semen tests.
Once diagnosed, care can be tailored to the individual or couple. Typical treatments include lifestyle change, hormonal interventions to increase ovulation, assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and, occasionally, surgery.
Education and Closing the Loop.
We need to raise awareness about infertility to disseminate the subject and allow for honest discussion. Through their own experience, infertile people can provide comfort to others who have been left alone. Building safe spaces, both inside and outside the workplace, is the key to empathy.
Healthcare professionals, too, are key to spreading the word. They should be trained to speak about reproductive health candidly and compassionately, acknowledging the emotional and psychological aspects that overlap with the physical.
Conclusion: Infertility Is More Common Than You Think
Unwanted pregnancies may be something we view as something shrouded in taboo and stigma, but they’re far more widespread than most realise. We can increase awareness and make it more conversational so that we can support communities that are coming into parenthood. It’s only by realising that infertility is not a single person’s problem, but a collective human condition, that individuals and couples can find support, access treatment and ultimately recover.
In an evolving world, may we be the people who cultivate a culture of transparency and inclusion so that infertility survivors have access to the resources and support they need to pursue their personal route to conception.
