#LetsTalkFertility: Why Do Women In India Continue To Be Shamed For Dealing With Infertility?
Infertility is painfully enough, one of the biggest problems that our nation is facing at the moment and more than half of these cases seem to be due to a lack of sperm count. Alas, this is a condition that ends up being more than just stressful for women in India. It affects their marital lives as well as changes the viewpoint a partner has towards their other half.
Furthermore, we end up treating these women like they don’t have emotions and instead, their own families end up changing the way they see them too. This makes them feel like they’re a burden on their own loved ones. On top of all this, society’s viewpoint in regard to them changes entirely. Why is infertility treated like a woman’s issue when it happens to people of every gender?
Also Read: Kerala HC Stresses Importance Of Sex Education In Schools Due To Rising Child Pregnancies
How Does Infertility Affect The Way Society Views Women?
In Indian society, it is still believed that one of the most essential roles that women play in a relationship is reproduction. So, when this reproductive goal is hindered due to infertility, society ends up viewing women in a different light. It’s as if they believe that these women have somehow failed in life and they are viewed with an additional layer of judgement and stigma.
These women are mocked, trolled and mistreated for dealing with something that is so natural and common. This can happen with anyone and yet, the women who deal with it, are treated like wasted goods. It’s as if these women are seen as pieces of land. Unless they are fertile, their market value just seems to drop. People forget that these women are humans and that their emotions matter. People forget the fact that this news crashes their dreams of being mothers too and their emotions aren’t given any weightage.
In rural areas today, women who are infertile tend to be extremely vulnerable to domestic violence. These women are mistreated and they face scrutiny from their own families along with the families of their husbands without even finding out the reason behind the couple’s inability to reproduce. There have been unfortunate cases of men in villages getting remarried just because their ‘first wives’ cannot reproduce to expand their family line. I mean, what kind of solution is that to a problem that can be solved with scientific and medical aid as well.
With #LetsTalkFertility trending on Twitter lately, it’s essential to ask ourselves why this painful and unfair prejudice still exists? Why are women treated like baby-producing machines, without regard for their lives and emotions? How the hell does this make sense? We forget the pain women go through while dealing with infertility. For far too long, women have been treated like the face of infertility.
Today I found out my best friend is 4 months pregnant. So I spent the afternoon eating bad foods, crying, and trying to distract myself. When she told me I was an amazing actor. I held myself together and even looked excited for her. But inside I was dying. #infertility
— SimmerElise🧚♀️🧝♂️🧞♂️🐴 (@SimmerElise) July 25, 2022
So many women out here are experiencing infertility and y’all still continue to ask them when they’re having children.
— Brittaz🌻🧚🏽♀️🧜🏽♀️ (@AlexBri_) July 23, 2022
Although a lot of focus with fertility is on the female partner, keep in mind that studies show that approximately 40% of infertility cases are due to men's sperm abnormalities. These include low sperm count, decreased sperm motility, or abnormal sperm shape. #orishnaturals pic.twitter.com/qDlpk5DhVy
— Orish Naturals (@orishnaturals) July 25, 2022
Telling women not to “give up” when struggling to conceive is like asking someone to stop breathing for a prolonged period of.
It’s dangerous #mentalhealth #infertility #ttc #ivf #writersoftwitter
— notafictionalmum (@notafictionalm1) July 21, 2022
https://twitter.com/CAISFiles/status/1549311052491460609?s=20&t=FmXC_O_oKI0dpKx2BakRPQ
In our society, women are the flag bearers of infertility. You see a couple struggling to conceive and all eyes are on the woman.
We all know this is not always the case. Looking at the other half of the equation can bring meaningful help, treatment and hopefully +ve results. https://t.co/tuNtNgMW7X pic.twitter.com/SFXVdVjOuu
— Greeno-philic (@ajikor) July 16, 2022
Also Read: “Woman Can’t Be Denied Abortion Of Unwanted Pregnancy Because She’s Unmarried”, Says Supreme Court
Why Should Infertility Limit Your Dreams To Be A Parent?
With #LetsTalkFertility trending on Twitter lately, people have been talking about the stigma that surrounds reproduction through other mediums apart from naturally being able to reproduce. It’s about time that we shed this layer of stigma and give infertile couples a chance to become parents and experience the joy of starting a family if they want to do so.
Clinics and doctors are tying up with the Integrated Health & Wellbeing Council India and are talking about various alternate forms of being able to reproduce, that can make our lives as well as the process of reproduction easier for couples dealing with infertility. People are speaking about the issue and the problems that surround it, as a whole.
World IVF Day: Infertility has become an increasing problem in couples, but IVF (In-vitro fertilization ) is one treatment that allows them to realize their dream of having a kid.
Acc. to current data the major reasons of Infertility are -Obesity and Diabetes#Letstalkfertility pic.twitter.com/grgCdmAenD— Harika 🍁 (@karukola_harika) July 25, 2022
PCOS is a problem that affects nearly 80% of women in their reproductive years. In India, nearly 30% of adolescent girls have PCOS – Dr Bharti Dhorepatil#LetsTalkFertility #BSVwithUSTART #IndiaIVFsummit #WorldIVFDay #IVFSummit #Infertility @BSV_Global pic.twitter.com/MfMsQccJ34
— IHW Council (@IHWCouncil) July 25, 2022
Rather than believing myths on the internet, people should consult to their doctors & health experts to educate themselves – Dr. Nisha Bhatnagar#LetsTalkFertility #BSVwithUSTART #IndiaIVFsummit #WorldIVFDay @BSV_Global pic.twitter.com/azZkdsJYrq
— IHW Council (@IHWCouncil) July 25, 2022
The digital model for #IVF will evolve over the next five years, and patients will be able to seek treatment.#LetsTalkFertility #BSVwithUSTART #IndiaIVFsummit #WorldIVFDay #IVFSummit @GadhiaVinesh pic.twitter.com/Z4lyPXrVw5
— IHW Council (@IHWCouncil) July 25, 2022
Let’s vouch to stop mistreating women for dealing with infertility. Remember, they aren’t the flagbearers of infertility and it’s important to get tested as a couple and support each other through the fight against infertility. It can be strenuous, stressful and emotionally, physically as well as financially draining but, it can be worth it.
The government should also work towards making the process more commonly available so it’s more common and affordable for couples everywhere. Also, if a woman or couple you know chooses to not reproduce, remember the fact that it’s their choice and stops imposing treatment forms on them. It’s time we change the way we deal with infertility as a whole.
Image Source: Intimina.com