Seeing the huge success of the National Infertility Awareness Week in the States makes me wonder whether we should be doing the same thing here. It’s certainly a great opportunity to raise awareness about infertility. Many people find it hard to believe that one in seven of the population experiences difficulties conceiving when they want to, and there’s still a lot of misunderstanding about how fertile we are as we get older – and about what fertility treatment can and can’t do. Having an awareness week generates discussion, and media coverage too.
I can’t help thinking a UK National Infertility Awareness Week might be a good idea as a way of helping to educate people about infertility. What do you think? I’d love to know if people think it could take off in the same way in the UK… (You can let me know by leaving a comment below)
I absolutely agree, the UK would really benefit from a national awareness event. It would be such a positive step towards promoting the difficulties that so many couples face but also raise awareness of the ways that each person can take control and optimise their fertility.
It certainly seems to have been huge in the States – and you’re right that it would be a useful way to help people learn more about their own fertility too.
Hi – it is now being now run in the UK, though is it a separate enterprise to the US one? Not sure. It’s run by Infertility Network UK, a charity, and the central idea is the same: to get people talking about the disease and not suffer in silence. Many people take part in the UK one. It’s a really great cause and there’s been quite a lot of press interest. :
Thanks for taking the time to comment – there are quite a few later posts on the blog about the UK’s National Infertility Awareness Week!