During National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) we join with many leading organizations in a campaign to shed light on the deeply personal and often misunderstood experience of infertility that impacts millions of individuals and couples worldwide. Infertility can be an isolating journey, filled with emotional, physical, and financial challenges, yet it remains a topic that is rarely discussed openly. NIAW serves to break the silence and stigma surrounding infertility, offering a platform for people to share their stories, raise awareness, and advocate for better support systems, access to care, and research funding. It reminds those struggling with infertility that they are not alone and that their experiences are valid and worthy of recognition and empathy. NIAW plays a crucial role in educating the public and policymakers about the realities of infertility. By increasing understanding and compassion, the campaign helps foster inclusivity and equitable access to reproductive healthcare (often prohibitively expensive).
At Wildflower, we are committed to continuing to shine a light on infertility and advocate for more awareness and equitable access to care and services. One of the ways we work to spread awareness is through education. Here are some of the articles we have written on this important subject.
Coping with Infertility: A Resource Guide. In this free guide, we have compiled a list of valuable resources to help you find community and equip you to care for yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally as you navigate infertility.
Male Infertility: The Emotional Impact and What You Can Do About It by Scott Meyer, MA, LPC. This article reviews the common emotional impacts of infertility and goes over tools to help cope with these impacts.
Understanding Infertility: A Guide for Psychotherapists by Gabrielle Pendley, LCSW, PMH-C, CADC. This article discusses the definition of infertility (including statistics), and mental health impact, and is geared towards professionals working with patients going through infertility.
Understanding Social Infertility: An Evolving Term in Reproductive Health by Gabrielle Pendley, LCSW, PMH-C, CADC. This article defines and further explains social infertility, identifying its emotional impact and challenges.
10 Things You Need to Know About Infertility During Infertility Awareness Week by Gabrielle Pendley LCSW, PMH-C, CADC. This article aims to arm readers with knowledge about some of the basic facts surrounding infertility.
The Psychological Turmoil of Infertility and the Power of Validation by Aga Grabowski, LCSW, PMH-C, CST-S. This article discusses the identity crisis often caused by infertility and the importance of validating these experiences.
