Women’s Month Spotlight: How Infertility Affects Women and How to Treat It
The first step to treating infertility is understanding the facts, dispelling the myths and seeking the right specialist care. At Medfem Fertility Clinic, we believe that greater awareness can help women and couples understand infertility, overcome the stigma surrounding it and access the treatment they need. This Women’s Month, we are putting the spotlight on women and infertility, with a focus on the misconceptions that can make an already difficult journey even harder.
The most important thing for women to know about infertility is that it is a medical condition, and there are a wide range of advanced treatments available that have been used safely and effectively for decades to overcome virtually any infertility challenge.
Table of contents
- Why Women’s Month matters for infertility awareness
- Is infertility really a women’s problem?
- The stigma surrounding infertility
- You are not alone
- Infertility is a treatable medical condition
- How Medfem Fertility Clinic supports greater awareness
- Frequently asked questions
- Breaking the silence around women and infertility
Why Women’s Month matters for infertility awareness
Every August, South Africa marks Women’s Month, paying tribute to the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women and changed the course of history.
For us at Medfem Fertility Clinic, Women’s Month is also an opportunity to raise awareness about an issue that can deeply affect women: infertility.
In many ways, the burden of infertility disproportionately affects women. This is not because infertility is a female condition. Rather, myths, misconceptions and stigma can place an unfair burden on women when a couple struggles to have a child.
There are four important misconceptions that need to be challenged.
| Misconception | The reality |
|---|---|
| Infertility is a “women’s problem” | Infertility affects both men and women |
| Infertility should carry a stigma | Infertility is a medical condition |
| You are alone | Infertility is a common condition affecting couples worldwide |
| Infertility cannot be treated | There are advanced treatments for many possible causes |
Greater awareness can help dispel these fallacies and encourage couples to seek appropriate help.
Is Infertility Really A Women’s Problem?
In many societies and cultures, infertility is automatically assumed to be a “woman’s problem”. Pregnancy and childbirth are manifested in the woman, and this has contributed to the misconception that the woman must therefore be responsible when a couple cannot conceive.
But infertility affects a couple. It is a challenge that a couple needs to face together.
The statistics make this clear. In about one-third of infertility cases, the fertility challenge is due just to the female partner. The male partner is the source of the fertility challenge in another one-third of cases. In the remaining one-third, the fertility challenge is a combination of male and female factor issues, or the cause is undetermined.
This is why the message that “Fertility is a Shared Responsibility” is so important.
Men should be informed, get tested with their partner and support their partner during this challenge. Infertility should never be placed solely on the shoulders of the woman.
The Stigma Surrounding Infertility
For many women, the challenge of infertility goes beyond the medical condition itself.
In many cultures, a strong but false stigma is still attached to infertility. Childlessness, particularly among infertile women, can lead to isolation and stigmatisation.
Women may experience discrimination and ostracism because they cannot become pregnant or have a child. In some cultures, this can result in women being isolated, disinherited or assaulted. It can also contribute to divorce or physical and psychological violence.
The social expectations can be deeply damaging. An infertile woman may be viewed as a burden on her family or community, or judged as no longer marriageable.
Intimate Partner Violence, Gender Based Violence and domestic violence have also been shown to have significant associations with individuals and couples suffering from infertility.
These realities make infertility awareness essential.
Women deserve accurate information, support and access to treatment. They should not have to carry the blame for a fertility challenge that may have a male, female, combined or undetermined cause.
You Are Not Alone
Infertility is not usually the subject of casual conversation. Because of the myths and stigma surrounding it, many women experiencing infertility may therefore feel isolated and alone.
But infertility is common.
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, infertility is one of the most common conditions affecting people of reproductive age between 20 and 45 years across the world, with an estimated one in six couples facing infertility challenges.
In developing countries, the numbers are even higher. WHO data indicates that more than 180 million couples experience primary or secondary infertility, representing one in every four couples.
Knowing that others are facing the same challenge can help break the silence. Infertility does not mean that you are alone, and it does not mean that you should feel ashamed.
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, we are passionate about raising awareness so that women and couples can become better informed about infertility and the treatments available.
Infertility Is A Treatable Medical Condition
One of the most important messages we want to share is that infertility is a medical condition.
There is an extensive list of possible causes, affecting both the male and female partners. In sub-Saharan Africa, infection is the cause of infertility in up to 85% of women seeking infertility care, compared with 33% worldwide.
There are also higher levels in Africa of non-genetic and preventable causes of infertility, including poor nutrition, untreated sexually transmitted diseases, unsafe abortions, infections caused by female genital mutilation and exposure to environmental pollutants.
The important point is that infertility can be treated.
There is a wide range of advanced treatments available for the many different possible causes of infertility. These treatments have been used safely and effectively for decades to overcome virtually any infertility challenge.
Infertility should not be accepted as something that has to be endured in silence. Greater awareness can help you understand the condition and seek appropriate care.
How Medfem Fertility Clinic Supports Greater Awareness
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, we are proud to add our voice to organisations that share our passion for raising awareness of infertility issues.
In South Africa, IFAASA, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa, advocates for greater awareness of infertility. IFAASA aims to drive public and industry awareness and understanding of infertility, lobby for fair support and change, and promote equal access to public and private sector treatment.
SASREG, the Southern African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy, also advocates for greater awareness around fertility issues. SASREG serves to protect the interests of patients undergoing fertility treatment and represents specialists in reproductive medicine. Medfem Fertility Clinic is proudly registered with SASREG as an accredited fertility clinic.
Across all these initiatives, the goal is the same: to raise awareness, break misconceptions and help people understand that infertility is a medical condition that can be treated.
This Women’s Month, we want to help replace myths with facts and stigma with understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is infertility a women’s problem?
No. Infertility affects both men and women. In approximately one-third of cases, the fertility challenge is due to the female partner, another one-third is due to the male partner, and the remaining cases involve both partners or have an undetermined cause.
How does infertility affect women?
Infertility can affect women through isolation, stigma, discrimination and the social suffering associated with childlessness. In some cultures, women may face particularly severe consequences because infertility is incorrectly assumed to be their responsibility.
Is infertility treatable?
Yes. Infertility is a medical condition with many possible causes, and there is a wide range of advanced treatments available. These treatments have been used safely and effectively for decades to overcome virtually any infertility challenge.
How common is infertility?
Infertility is one of the most common conditions affecting people of reproductive age. An estimated one in six couples worldwide face infertility challenges, while WHO data cited in the source indicates that in developing countries the figure can be as high as one in four couples.
What should men do when a couple is struggling with infertility?
Men should get informed, get tested with their partner and support their partner during the fertility challenge. Fertility is a shared responsibility.
Where can I seek fertility treatment in Johannesburg?
Medfem Fertility Clinic is an accredited fertility clinic in Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg, and is committed to making world-class fertility treatments available for everyone. If you would like to know more about the causes of infertility and the treatments available, we invite you to book an initial consultation with our team.
Breaking The Silence Around Women And Infertility
Infertility can be a deeply challenging experience, particularly when women are unfairly blamed for a fertility problem that can affect either partner.
But infertility is a medical condition, and although it affects both men and women, there are advanced treatments available.
At Medfem Fertility Clinic we believe in helping you reach your family dream through:
- World-Class Fertility for Everyone – we believe in making world-class fertility treatments available for everyone
- A Positive Fertility Journey – It is our joy and commitment to give you a positive outcome to your fertility journey
- Delivered With Empathy & Caring – So you may have a fond memory, of a feeling of empathy, caring and being part of the Medfem family
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists at Medfem Fertility Clinic, simply click here https://medfem.co.za/contact-us/ to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Our Fertility Specialists can also meet with you during a virtual consultation via Zoom or Skype. Click here https://medfem.co.za/virtual-consultation/ to book a virtual consultation now.
We look forward to meeting you at Medfem Fertility Clinic!
