Infertility is a subject close to our hearts here at Hoopsy. In the UK, infertility affects 1 in 7 couples, and often those couples suffer silently, alone and isolated. This week is infertility awareness week, and we wanted to take a moment to recognise all the couples and individuals fighting their own infertility battles.
National infertility week gives us a chance to shed light on an issue that affects millions of people across the world and do what we can to provide a supportive environment to those struggling.
Infertility in the UK
Infertility affects around 1 in 7 couples in the UK, according to the National Health Service (NHS). This means that approximately 3.5 million people are affected in the UK alone. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sex. It can be caused by various factors, including age, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and genetics. Infertility doesn’t discriminate it can affect almost anyone, young or old, fit and healthy and male or female.
One of the biggest misconceptions about infertility is that it’s always a female issue. However, male infertility is a significant problem as well. In fact, male infertility is the sole cause of infertility in approximately 30% of cases and a contributing factor in another 20-30% of cases.
Effects of an infertility diagnosis
Infertility can be a devastating diagnosis for those affected both emotionally and financially. The cost of fertility treatments such as IVF can be expensive, especially for those without access to NHS-funded treatments. The emotional toll of infertility can be just as significant. The inability to conceive a child can lead to feelings of inadequacy, shame, and depression. There is a stigma and shame associated with infertility which means it isn’t talked about or understood enough. We want to help change that so more people struggling feel supported.
Support for infertility
Fortunately, there are a number of resources available to those struggling with infertility. Support groups, online forums, and counselling services can all provide emotional support and a sense of community to those who are dealing with infertility. Hoopsy has launched a fertility community for this very reason, to support women who are struggling to conceive and provide them with a safe place to chat, make friends and feel a little bit less on their own through their fertility journey. Looking for support? You can join our free fertility community here.
There are also a lot of really great fertility clinics that offer a variety of treatments and procedures to help couples conceive, including IVF, IUI, and fertility drugs.
Raise awareness of infertility
National Infertility Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about infertility and provide support to those who are struggling. If you or someone you know is dealing with infertility, know that you are not alone. There are resources available to help you navigate this difficult journey.
Hoopsy’s founder Lara started the business following her own fertility journey and IVF treatments. We understand the struggle that comes with infertility, so if it affects you, please come and chat with us in our community or contact us directly.
