What Counts as a Chronic Illness? Why Infertility Belongs on the List

For many people with infertility, their unique symptoms and frustrations can feel like a chronic illness. However, infertility is not broadly recognized as a legitimate chronic illness. Instead, it’s often treated as a private, personal problem. People dealing with infertility are expected to go about their daily lives as if everything is normal.

However, the day-to-day reality of infertility is akin to the experience of living with a chronic illness. The invisible suffering and mental health challenges that accompany infertility, like anxiety, can be just as debilitating as the symptoms of formally recognized chronic illnesses. Here’s why recognizing infertility as a chronic illness is a crucial step.

Infertility Is a Medical Condition

Infertility can be linked to previously diagnosed medical conditions that affect the reproductive system, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). However, even unexplained infertility means that something is affecting the reproductive system, even if doctors don’t have a clear answer.

People dealing with infertility may undergo long-term treatments and medical procedures that require monitoring and careful attention from physicians. Despite this, society often frames infertility as a lifestyle issue linked to personal choices, rather than a health condition that can require intense, invasive treatment.

The Invisible Burden of Infertility

It’s not easy to talk about infertility. There are no visible symptoms, yet there are major emotional and physical impacts that you can’t simply ignore. People living with infertility often hide their struggles out of personal shame or societal pressure, which can leave them feeling isolated.

This is a common issue for people who are diagnosed with chronic illnesses as well. In general, people who are grappling with medical conditions that don’t have an easy “cure” might choose to keep quiet about their symptoms. Other people might be tempted to offer unsolicited advice. They may not truly believe someone with an invisible illness is struggling.

Anxiety and Infertility

Infertility and uncertainty go hand-in-hand. For those going through infertility treatments, the ongoing cycles of testing, procedures, and waiting for results can fuel chronic anxiety. Making peace with the uncertainty is much easier said than done.

People with infertility and other chronic illnesses deal with the emotional tolls that come with their diagnoses, like a loss of control, fears around different outcomes, and living in a space of constant anticipation.

Why Recognition Matters

It might seem like categorizing infertility as a chronic illness is just a matter of simple labels. However, understanding infertility as one type of chronic illness can shift the way this condition is treated within healthcare settings as well as across society as a whole. For example, if infertility were designated as a chronic illness, it could lead to improved insurance coverage, medical leave, and other accommodations for this condition.

Furthermore, this designation would mean that people with infertility could be included in wider conversations around chronic illnesses. Validating people’s experiences with this difficult condition can be gratifying.

An Inclusive Understanding of Chronic Illness

By expanding the definition of chronic illness to include infertility, we can acknowledge the emotional, physical, psychological, and social challenges that come with infertility. Overall, infertility is a highly complex issue. Like other chronic illnesses, it affects everything from one’s physical wellbeing to their mental health to their relationships and life plans.

Additionally, infertility can influence an individual’s personal identity. Viewing this condition as a medical issue, rather than a personal failing, can change the way we support people with infertility for the better.

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Are you struggling with anxiety around infertility? An infertility therapist can help you navigate this difficult chapter. I invite you to book a free consultation through my website to learn more.