area
FAMILY
THE COST OF
infertility WOR DS: JOE LY DAVIDSO N
P H OTO G R A P H Y: J ST Y L E PH OTO GR A PH Y
INF ERT I L I T Y is the worst club with the best members. Members are often called “warriors” and their symbol is the pineapple. You will often see in support groups, online forums and social media platforms that individuals use these terms and symbol as a beacon of hope and support. Oftentimes many women struggle in silence. Resolve, the National Infertility Association, identifies that infertility affects one in eight couples trying to conceive or sustain a pregnancy to term, with one-third of infertility impacting the female partner, one-third affecting the male partner, and one-third a combination of both partners or unexplained infertility. Over the past several years, I have seen an increase in support groups, online forums, podcasts and social media platforms spreading awareness about infertility. Yet, we still struggle to talk about it. We don’t talk about the grief, loneliness, anxiety, depression and stigma. Did I also mention the cost of infertility both financially and emotionally? Infertility affects each couple differently however. We live in a system where treatments are rarely covered by insurance. This puts another layer of stress on the couples already struggling with a variety of stressors since being diagnosed with infertility. The financial strain affects each couple’s decision on how far they are going to pursue treatments, be it medicated treatments, IUIs, IVF, surrogacy or adoption. Each treatment protocol comes with its own risks and benefits.
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:: areawomanmagazine.com
JOELY DAVIDSON is a licensed professional clinical counselor at Chrysalis Behavioral Health Services and Training Center. This summer she will be leading a group at Chrysalis for those touched by infertility. Learn more at chrysalispc.com.