Breaking silence on infertility: a shared journey towards parenthood

JUNE is World Infertility Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a global health issue that impacts millions yet remains largely unspoken.

- WITH HAFFIZA SAYED HASSAN

Infertility weaves a complex narrative, one that reaches beyond mere biology and touches the emotional fabric of lives across diverse backgrounds.

According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 1 in 6 adults worldwide will face infertility at some point in their life, making it a shared challenge deserving of our attention.

Often, infertility is mistakenly assumed to be solely a women's struggle. However, Dr Anthony Picton, a fertility specialist at Vitalab Fertility Clinic, elucidates a broader perspective.

"Male factor infertility is responsible for about 40% of cases," he states. "Yet, it's often ignored. In many African communities, women are still blamed first, even when the issue lies with the male partner."

For both men and women, recognising contributing factors to infertility is essential.