With 7.4 million
women experiencing infertility — approximately 286,861 in
Illinois — infertility is a national issue that affects one in eight couples,
regardless of age or race.
For those who long for a child, an infertility diagnosis is
devastating, and going through fertility treatment can prove a challenge
physically, emotionally, and financially.
In honor of National
Infertility Awareness Week on April 19-25, we asked patients what they wish
others knew about infertility, and received the following responses. I have
also provided medical insight to each below.
1. "Infertility
is a medical condition like diabetes, a disease like cancer.”
Infertility is a disease and is medically
recognized as such by the World Health Organization, the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. Infertility is defined as being unable to achieve a pregnancy
after one year of trying to conceive if a woman is under 35 years of age, or after
six months if a woman is over 35 years of age.
2. “Insurance companies usually don’t cover
fertility treatments.”
State law requiring insurance
companies to cover fertility treatments, and the quantity and details of that
coverage, varies across the country. In Illinois, we have an insurance mandate
that requires insurance to cover fertility treatments, but there are mandate
exceptions. Religious employers, employers with fewer than 25 employees, and
employers who self-insure are not required to provide infertility coverage. The
insurance mandate covers up to four egg retrievals with a lifetime max of six
egg retrievals. To learn more about coverage in your state, visit the RESOLVE Fertility
Scorecard.
3. “It
takes a toll on you and all of your relationships.”
One study
found that couples were three times more likely to break up after unsuccessful
fertility treatment. Research has shown anxiety and depression levels in women
with infertility are the same as women with cancer, heart disease and HIV+
status. There is no doubt that infertility treatment can cause a strain in
personal health and relationships, and many couples choose to see a fertility
counselor for treatment and perspective.
4. “Getting
pregnant isn’t always as easy as you think.”
It takes most couples six months to
become pregnant. The odds of pregnancy in any given month are roughly 15% for
women in their early 30s, then decline to 10 percent after age 35 and 5 percent
over age 40.
5. “It’s
more common than you realize.”
According to RESOLVE, approximately
1 in 8 couples have difficulty conceiving. In Illinois, 286,861 women
in Illinois have experienced “physical difficulty in getting pregnant or carrying
a pregnancy to live birth.”
6. “It’s
an emotional roller coaster.”
Going through infertility is stressful and can be
very difficult emotionally, and there are studies documenting this fact. A scientific
study found that women whose enzyme alpha-amylase levels, a stress-related
substance, were in the highest third had more than double the risk of
infertility. The good news is that participating in stress reduction techniques
can help significantly. In a Harvard Medical School study
with women who had fertility problems, 55 percent of women who completed a
10-week course of relaxation training and stress reduction were pregnant within
a year, compared to 20 percent of the group who did not take the course.
7. “Infertility
affects young couples too.”
While age and diminishing fertility
rates are common knowledge, it is important to note that infertility happens to
young couples as well. In the latest data provided by the Society
for Assisted Reproductive Technology, there were 174,962 cycles in 2013,
and 21% (36,958) were couples under the age of 35.
8. “Support
from family and friends means a lot.”
Sadly, some patients are unable to share
their journey with loved ones due to the religious or personal beliefs of
family and friends. To protect themselves and their future children, they stay
silent. Having a support network is critical for any patient with infertility. They
need someone to take a call and listen after hearing bad news, and someone to
offer hope and love when times are tough. There are infertility support groups
as well as classes and seminars that can help patients if they do not have the
support they need.
9. “PCOS is a silent fertility disease. It can
affect skinny or fat women.”
Studies have shown that 70 percent
of women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have infertility, a health
issue that affects as many as five million women in the United States.
Infertility, irregular or absent periods and weight gain are three of the most
common symptoms of PCOS, but not all women with PCOS are overweight. Through diet
and exercise, symptoms of PCOS can be greatly lessened.
10. “It's
ok to talk about it. We're not looking for answers, just a shoulder to cry on.”
Many patients always emphasize how
alone and isolated they feel while they are going through treatment. They often
stay silent to protect themselves from hurtful comments, insensitive statements
and harsh judgment. The best thing to do
to help someone going through infertility is to listen and ask what you can do
to show your support.
What do you wish others knew about infertility? Please let
us know in the comments below.
Author Bio: Dr. Jane
Nani, Fertility Centers of Illinois
Dr. Nani is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and
in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), and has been practicing
medicine since 1996. Dr. Nani completed her residency in Obstetrics and
Gynecology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 1994, followed by a fellowship
in REI at Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston. She has
presented numerous scientific papers at national meetings and gave the
Presidential Plenary Talk at the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. She is
passionate about helping couples and individuals achieve their dream of
parenthood, and has a specific interest in third party reproduction. Her
professional interests also include Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and
hysteroscopic surgery.
