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We do not know what the percentage breakdown is of infertility caused by personal choices and behavior versus those afflicted by heredity, congenital conditions, or other unavoidable situations. Gathering such data in this and similar realms is always difficult, at best. Numbers coming from the ASRM and related groups are gleaned from reports of patients, which is one particular population -- not everyone who has trouble getting pregnant sees a specialist. Numbers from an online survey such as that proposed by INCIID are coming from another specific population -- not everyone who is infertile is online.
So, is it just a question of numbers? Are there enough cases of infertility resulting from preventable causes to warrant offending some and possibly creating more stigma for all?
In light of the amount of email received from young people who are obviously not learning from parents or schools all they need to protect their fertility, and knowing that new research is regularly published which links lifestyle to current or future fertility, it is hard not to agree that awareness campaigns aimed at the preconception crowd are sorely needed.
Still, having both personally and professionally witnessed the incredible emotional impact of infertility, it is easy to understand why some folks may be offended at the images or certain words used. Even for those who have a diagnosis which frees them from a suspect choice, infertility quite simply makes one doubt -- one's intentions, one's efforts, and yes, one's behaviors. As is evidenced by a few patients' posted comments, says RESOLVE's Bowen, "some people may find it difficult to accept the realities of lifestyle choices such as smoking, unhealthy body weight, sexually transmitted diseases, or delaying parenthood, and their effect on fertility..."
Sure, there's a lot more to be learned about fertility by the folks viewing those bus ads. I suppose it is possible that some viewers will jump to wrong conclusions about infertile acquaintances. However, those of us who are farther down the path of knowledge, regardless of our own diagnosis, should feel encouraged that even an inkling of awareness is being offered to those who are now as naive as we once were about infertility.
As the ASRM itself says, "We feel strongly that improved knowledge can only lead to good things."
© Tracy Morris
