“Wake up everyday stronger than yesterday, face your fears and wipe your tears.” –Anonymous
The state of our country rests uneasy and uncertain as power shifts to a new leader. Public discussions about old topics like contraception, abortions, and women’s rights are being questioned. While education and information about declining fertility are being ignored or forgotten. This fertility gap or fog is crucial to understanding the differences between liberals and conservatives.
A major reason for the public’s ignorance about infertility stems from political decisions and considerations. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that doctors talk to women, if they ask, about their fertility. It is being discussed in such a way that minimize the discussion how childbearing could interfering with the career plans or avoids making them nervous about losing their fertility.
Many studies show that women are not only ignorant when it comes to fertility, conception and assisted reproductive technologies, but overestimate their knowledge about the subject. Fertility and Sterility surveyed 3,345 women who were childless in Canada between 20-50 years old; despite the fact that women initially assessed their own knowledge of fertility high, the research found that only half of them answered 6 of 16 questions correctly. Many falsely believed for example that by not smoking or being obsess they could improve their fertility. Rarely did the subjects understand that obesity or smoking are simply negative health factors affecting fertility.
Fertility fog infects cultures and nations worldwide. A global study published for World Fertility Awareness from 10 countries surveying 17,500 people of childbearing age to reveal a very poor knowledge about fertility and reproductive biology. Women don’t understand their limits. The message has been preached that equal is equal. However, our biological clock is not equal or fair. Between genetic factors, sexually transmitted diseases such as the human papilloma virus (HPV) and chlamydia, which causes infertility in 10 per cent of the infected, and fertility awareness women seem to be in the dark.
Nobody wants to be told they cannot conceive or how they are infertile. Women are shocked when nature applies to them individually. Despite blood tests such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to indicate egg quality and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to assess ovarian reserve, measuring women’s fertility boils down to the lack of education on the medical side due to fear of offending women.
Even the debates over egg freezing has assumed political overtones. When Facebook, Apple, and Google announced that they would pay health benefits to their female employees who wanted to freeze their eggs, suffered a backlash of “freezing career” jokes and puns within the media. Maybe egg freezing poses a threat to embryos or IVF, but educating women about their options, preventive measures, and their own bodies can only help them take control of their futures.
The real issue regarding threat is not egg freezing, but politicians making governing rules that affect women’s choices and health. One such legislation currently threatening IVF or fertility treatments both in the past and future is the new bill H.R. 586 Sanctity of Human Life Act (i.e. Personhood Bill). You can help take action to prevent this bill from passing by calling your congressman or filling out this form.
This bill declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human and is a person’s most fundamental right; each human life begins with fertilization, cloning, or its equivalent, at which time every human has all the legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and Congress, each state, the District of Columbia, and each U.S. territory have the authority to protect all human lives.
Finally waking women from their fertility fog would allow them to be capable of family planning. Just like they would be informed about any other medical condition. Choice cannot mean only legal control over the means not to have a baby, but must include legal control over the means to have a baby.
No wonder young women think they can and should postpone marriage until their late 30s and motherhood into their 40s. After all, the common saying is how “40 is the new 30” and couples assume that waiting to have children is a smart decision. As a result, the age when couples get married has steadily increased. Long overdue engagements and extravagant weddings are commonplace. In addition, there is a considerable amount of media hype about 40-ish celebrity women’s pregnancies. Everything from pictures of baby bumps, adorable newborns, and elaborate, expensive baby nurseries. We’re on the verge of a dramatic shift. If we continue to head in this direction we will be having different conversation ten years from now.
Knowledge is power. When you know better you do better. Please share with someone in your life. Word of mouth is the most powerful message. Tell a friend and pass it on. Let’s close this fertility gap together.