Infertility is Officially a Disease
I was excited to read this article last week that reports the American Medical Association supporting the World Health Organization designation of infertility as a disease. Okay, excited is a strong word, but let me explain. One of the biggest complaints I hear from my counseling clients with infertility is how lonely it is. Because major medical establishments have declared it a disease, there may be impact on how infertility is seen by our culture and our insurance carriers.
Currently only 15 states mandate insurance to cover IVF. And there are some sticky ethical conversations about this designation. As with any change in healthcare, there will always be a conversation about it.
All in all, the AMA’s support is great news for couples of childbearing age that are struggling to conceive. All diseases have a way of impacting the patient’s life. With infertility identified as a disease, my hope is that the emotional struggles will become better known, respected, and handled by society. With greater awareness, couples might be able to get help sooner and end their suffering.
Allison Ramsey is a licensed professional counselor and fertility counseling specialist in the Asheville area. She’s a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and completed their certificate training in mental health counseling for infertility. Contact her to start feeling better.