Regina Townsend, founder of The Broken Brown Egg, writes that “trying to decide if you can emotionally afford the cost of building a Black or Brown family in a world that is concurrently showing you how low they are valued adds additional weight to an already heavy situation.”
Townsend emphasizes the importance of recognizing the lived experiences of women of color: “Infertility doesn’t see color, but my color impacts my perspective and experience of it.”
With all of this in mind, let us debunk four of the most pervasive myths surrounding fertility and women of color, and how they can cause harm to those seeking to grow their families.
Myth 1: Black women are less likely to experience infertility
One of the most common misconceptions that we encounter is that infertility is mainly a “white” issue. In reality, Black women are almost twice as likely to experience fertility issues as their white counterparts, but only 8 percent of Black women seek medical help compared to 15 percent of white women.
Historically, cultural images have portrayed Black women as hyper-fertile. This damaging stereotype, that Black women are more fertile than other women, can cause those that do struggle with infertility to experience a great deal of shame and inadequacy. In addition to the emotional impact, this myth causes many Black women to delay seeking the help of a fertility specialist, which can seriously affect their chances of achieving their family-building goals as they continue to age.
The myth of the “hyper-fertile” Black woman also still exists within the medical community, leading to a lack of timely referrals and support for Black women from their health care providers.
Myth 2: Only white women get IVF treatments
When the conversation surrounding fertility is not inclusive of all those it touches, many are left to struggle in silence. If women of color do not see themselves represented in advertising, media, or in waiting rooms, they can easily feel discouraged from seeking the fertility treatments they may desperately need.
In fact, seeing IVF depicted as a “white woman’s experience” can even lead to doctors internalizing this stereotype, again affecting referrals to reproductive specialists, as well as medical research and outreach to particular populations.
Deeply problematic societal messaging and the subsequent lack of information can ultimately lead women of color to feel completely isolated and misunderstood in the fertility community.
“As a person of color, especially being Caribbean, we don’t speak about infertility,” said one of my patients, Shiraine McLeod. “No one from either of our families knew we were doing IVF while we were in the process, except for my cousin, who happens to be a medical student; she was the only person I felt would understand because of how taboo it is to discuss things like this openly in most Caribbean households.”
We are starting to see this narrative shift as more people are coming forward to share their stories and speak up about their experiences. High-profile Black women like Michelle Obama have publicly shared their IVF stories, creating national conversations surrounding women of color and fertility struggles.
“I think it’s the worst thing that we do to each other as women, not sharing the truth about our bodies and how they work,” she shared during an appearance on Good Morning America.
Myth 3: Racism does not exist in the health care system
When looking at why women of color are less likely to seek fertility assistance, one must acknowledge the extensive racial bias and resulting injustices that still exist in our health care system. It is also important to recognize that mistrust of the medical community is prevalent in the Black community, due to rampant instances of racial discrimination throughout history.
After decades of being victimized and mistreated by the medical system, it is understandable that these communities feel less comfortable turning to their doctors for fertility help.
According to research, Black women are 50 percent more likely than white women to say they felt uncomfortable talking to their doctors about fertility. This additional barrier frequently prevents those struggling to conceive from getting the help they need.
Myth 4: Fertility treatment is only for wealthy people
Women of color are already experiencing economic and medical disparities, so cost is usually cited as the greatest obstacle in seeking fertility treatment. However, many women have successfully undergone fertility treatments with the help of financial assistance (like grants, loans, and scholarships) and their insurance providers.
According to the CDC, around 13 percent of women who utilize fertility treatments live below the poverty line. The cost of IVF or other fertility treatments vary depending on many factors. Resources are available to help people of color achieve their goals. Organizations like The Cade Foundation and Fertility for Colored Girls have made it their mission to award grants to women who cannot afford treatment.
An increasing number of states in the U.S. now have infertility mandates that require insurance providers to cover fertility treatment to some extent. Curious if your insurance covers the treatment you need? A human resources director or employee benefits administrator can confirm whether fertility is covered, and, if so, what portion of care will be covered.
All patients deserve equal opportunities.
While harmful stereotypes and racial disparities remain a challenge for women of color, we are seeing progress in the discourse around these topics, as well as increased media representation of more diverse ranges of people seeking fertility care.
The medical community must amplify these important conversations in order to improve fertility care for women of color. Infertility does not discriminate, and it is our job to create an environment that is inclusive and supportive of all communities.
Ilana Ressler is a reproductive endocrinologist.
