We have to understand the shortcomings of sex-ed in adolescence to understand where (and why!) we may fall short as adults, especially as it relates to reproductive health. In addition to inadequate sex-ed classes, there are also societal and cultural stigmas (amplified by social media) that hold us back from self-advocacy.
Read MoreIf it happens in the world of infertility, I’ve done it. I tried acupuncture, herbs, prayer, geritol vitamins and squeaky clean eating, which meant no gluten, dairy or processed sugar. (That last one didn’t get me anywhere, so I decided that pizza, Snickers and wine felt much more comforting.) I also tried reiki, energy work, intuitive readings, tarot and epsom salt tricks of all kinds — to no avail.
Read MoreI will never forget the day I was sitting in my therapist's office, telling her how poorly my relationship with my husband was bearing the weight of infertility. She locked eyes with me and said, “what happens if you get the baby you want so badly but your marriage doesn’t survive as a result”?
Read More“I don’t feel badly about some of the relationships I lost due to my infertility. There were close friends and even some family who fell to the wayside because they were awful, or insensitive, impatient, rude…I’m shocked by the survivors guilt I feel daily. Even on the other side of my insanity, with the worst of it in the rear view, I feel so deeply connected to this community that I feel weird about sharing photos, talking about my kids, celebrating. I’m working on it.
Read MoreThe secrecy and social stigma surrounding Male Factor Infertility has a disastrous effect on the ability of couples to get the help they so desperately need when struggling to conceive. Many suffer through years of infertility before even considering the prospect that his sperm might have something to do with the issue.
Read MoreThere is an excellent illustration by the incredible @infertilityillustrated depicting a woman walking down the street looking down at her phone. Hiding behind a corner is another woman wearing a boxing glove, waiting to deliver the first woman a surprise left hook. The boxing gloved woman is a trigger exemplified. It is that sucker punch that knocks the wind out of you when you’re just going about your day, minding your own damn business.
Read MoreHigh profile stories of infertility and pregnancy loss reach the furthest corners of social media and give voice to experiences that so many others are suffering in silence. But they also give permission to readers to feel and think certain things about these experiences. This includes those who are enduring something similar, as well as those who have not yet, or possibly will never, go through anything like it. And therein lies the immense power wielded by media platforms when these articles are published.
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