It’s International Women’s Day, a symbol of how far women have progressed in closing the gender gap and thrived in the face of discrimination and inequality. While the day is aimed at celebrating women’s successes and progress, it is also a time to shine a spotlight on an issue that isn’t talked about enough: reproductive health and fertility.

Fertility issues can be incredibly stressful and emotionally taxing for anyone, regardless of their gender. But, for women in particular, such discussions can have added layers of complexity.

Women are often told they need to start thinking about having children in their 20s or early 30s if they want to have a good chance of conceiving naturally. This can create a lot of anxiety and stress because of the “ticking clock” imposed upon them.

While a woman’s fertility does decline as she gets older – with the chances of getting pregnant decreasing significantly after the age of 35 – the stigma and shame associated with infertility tends to disproportionately affect females.

With its theme of #EmbraceEquity, one of the missions for this year’s International Women’s Day is to empower women to make informed decisions about their health. Here are some ways women can advocate for their fertility and wellbeing.

Knowledge is power

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of trying, or six months for women over 35. This can be caused by factors including hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, and structural issues with the reproductive system.

Owing to the variety of factors involved, one way of taking control of your reproductive health is to learn about how your own body works – and the status it’s currently at. This is where regular health screenings come in.

Aside from allowing medical professionals to detect life-threatening conditions early on, consistent check-ups can help you understand what feels normal for your body and give you the chance to keep up-to-date with medical information.

Timely health check-ups can also reveal potential issues one may not have even thought of in the first place. “For instance, a simple blood test can determine a woman’s ovarian reserve, which refers to the number and quality of eggs she has remaining,” explained Dr Khairun Marina Bachok, consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist, and fertility specialist.

“In some cases, a woman can have regular periods without ovulating, so it can be hard to tell if there are possible fertility issues without proper screening methods.”

Health screenings offer a chance for women to uncover underlying conditions that may be affecting their reproductive systems. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for example, is a common cause of infertility and irregular periods. While the hormonal disorder affects anywhere between 5% and 18% of women worldwide, many are still unaware of the condition, or tend to have a delayed diagnosis.

Another condition impacting fertility is endometriosis, where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Sufferers often have to live with severe pain and heavy bleeding during their periods, but despite this, the condition tends to go underdiagnosed or minimised.

“Sometimes there may be even milder issues, such as fibroids or blockages in the fallopian tubes,” Khairun added. “Early detection and treatment of these conditions can not only help women improve their chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy, but also uplift their quality of life.”

Options for the future

When it comes to your health and ability to conceive, a little bit of exploration on treatments can go a long way.

“Despite all the advancements made in reproductive health, there is still a lack of awareness about the options women have to manage infertility, from making minor lifestyle changes to cutting-edge medical interventions,” Khairun pointed out.

Among such options is egg freezing, where a woman’s eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for later use. While this does not guarantee future pregnancy, it can provide women with more options and control over their reproductive lives, while offering them the gift of time and peace of mind.

As parenthood is seen as a normal stage in life, those struggling to conceive often feel like they have “failed” at normalcy. The truth is, millions live with infertility; the World Health Organization estimates that it affects 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide.

In Malaysia, research indicates that local infertility rates hover between 10% and 15%.

Another common misconception is that infertility mainly affects women, despite medical evidence showing otherwise. Infertility impacts both men and women almost equally, and sometimes can even be the result of health conditions present in both partners.

Despite this, the silence around infertility means many aspiring mothers find themselves isolated in their emotional pain.

Professional medical advice and support can help alleviate some of that anxiety. Fertility counselling can not only offer women (and men) an idea of their treatment options, but also help them understand their feelings and grasp the implications of the decisions they might make, with the guidance and support of someone who is trained to do so.

For women concerned about their fertility, perhaps the most important thing to remember today is that you are not alone – and you have the power to take charge of your health.

“It is not a sign of weakness to seek help, because infertility is just another medical condition, not a moral failing,” Khairun stressed. “Every woman deserves the right to access the healthcare support she needs, and be in control of her reproductive health.”