Infertility’s Impact on the Latinx Community
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive within one year of trying. For many women and couples, experiencing difficulty conceiving is navigating uncharted territory. Infertility impacts one in eight women, yet research shows that Black and Indigenous people of color experience infertility at even higher rates. The impact of infertility within the Latinx community has not been thoroughly researched, in part because of the assumption of high fertility rates among Latinos. As a result, the barriers that infertile Latinos face in their efforts to build families remain virtually invisible to their physicians, social scientists and policymakers.
The cost of infertility treatments has been identified as a major barrier to accessing treatment for many people suffering from infertility. The average IVF cycle can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $17,000 (not including medication) and with medication the cost can rise to around $25,000. Insurance coverage for IVF varies depending on the insurance company, state-specific legislation, the woman or couple’s age and reasons for infertility and even the insured’s relationship status. Latinx and African American households are at an even greater disadvantage when it comes to accessing treatment because their annual incomes are substantially lower than that of white and Asian households. Research suggests that African American and Latinx women are less likely to access assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF treatments in part because of economic disparities.
Even in states with comprehensive insurance coverage for infertility services, the predominant group to access those services tend to be Caucasian, highly educated and wealthy. African American and Latinx women are underrepresented in terms of who is accessing treatment even though they are more likely to suffer from infertility. The reasons for disparities among Latinx women accessing infertility treatment are not yet clear, but researchers suggest that potential barriers may include lack of information and education, racial discrimination, lack of referrals from primary care physicians and inadequate insurance coverage. Some studies suggest that language and cultural barriers create obstacles in finding medical information, quality healthcare and treatment.
In Latinx communities, fertility issues are often not discussed, leading many Latinas struggling with infertility to experience feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation. Meanwhile anything having to do with sex and marriage is still perceived as somewhat taboo. Religious stigmas regarding fertility treatments within Christian and Catholic religions can create conflicts for individuals who are struggling to conceive. One study aimed to better understand the factors that impact patient experiences obtaining fertility care found that Latinx participants were twice as likely as white participants to report being very/extremely worried about using science and technology to conceive.
U.S. television personality Lilliana Vazquez, who struggled for years to get pregnant, shared her personal experience coming from a traditional Catholic family. "I was dealing with the fact that I might not be able to have children and I was talking about using science,” said Ms. Vazquez. "To my very Catholic family that's going to be like I'm trying to play God." Traditional religious views about the importance of reproduction, and the idea that pregnancy is God's (and not science's) gift to women, also underlie feelings of shame and guilt associated with infertility. Part of the stigma also likely stems from the perception that Latinx women are naturally very fertile, or hyperfertile, a stereotype rooted in racist ideas and with complex ties to colonization.
Adriana Alejandre, a licensed family and marriage therapist and the founder of Latinx Therapy, and Blanca Amaya, a licensed clinical social worker, shared their perspectives on infertility in their community in a live Q&A. “There are a lot of feelings of loss and depression and anxiety regarding [infertility] because women have this expectation that they will be able conceive,” says Ms. Amaya. “You’re grieving a life that you envisioned for yourself, but you don’t get to have that,” said Ms. Alejandre. “I have had clients who have needed to process how discriminatory, dry, and shameful even, [it was] when doctors told them [their diagnosis].” Ms. Alejandre explained how these conversations are often traumatic for women and can lead to hesitation around the medical field as a whole.
It is increasingly important to raise awareness about how infertility disproportionately impacts underrepresented communities and increase access to medical information and treatment. Infertility is an isolating experience for many therefore it is especially important to find a community of people who can provide support. If you or someone you know is experiencing fertility issues, head to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association (they have a page in Spanish) for more information about infertility or to join a support group. Infertilidad Latina podcast is also a great resource for Latina women looking to learn and connect with others in their community.
Juliana Stoneback, who is half Colombian, is 2021 graduate of the University of Michigan. As the research project lead on MFA’s advocacy team, she has a particular interest in reproductive justice and health equity.