Why the Fertility Industry Needs to Get Over Itself

The fertility industry has long been filled with shame, stigma, and oversimplified solutions. But here at Dandy, we’re tired of the narrative that only amplifies anxiety. It’s time for a shift in how we talk about fertility—one that’s empowering, inclusive, and free of unnecessary pressure. Here’s why we think the fertility industry needs to get over itself.

By Dandy / Feb 24, 2025

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Let’s face it—when it comes to fertility, the world can often feel like a labyrinth of confusing information, high expectations, and sky-high prices. And the fertility industry? Well, it seems to have its own ideas about how things should work, often leading to unnecessary shame, oversimplification, and even profit-driven motives.

But here’s the truth: the fertility industry needs to get over itself.

It’s time we had an honest conversation about how this industry, which is supposed to be helping people, often perpetuates unrealistic standards, treats women as though their bodies are ticking time bombs, and places profit over empathy. And let’s be clear: we’re all for medical advances, innovation, and breakthroughs in fertility. But what happens when it feels more about the bottom line than about actually helping people with their personal, deeply emotional journeys?

Let’s dive in.

The High Price of Fertility

Anyone who has spent time researching fertility treatments knows one thing: it’s expensive. Like, ridiculously expensive. From IVF to egg freezing, there are a million options available, but they often come with a hefty price tag. Fertility treatments can cost tens of thousands of pounds, and insurance coverage for them is often limited, leaving many individuals and couples struggling to afford the medical care they need.

The issue here isn’t just the cost—it’s the way the industry has positioned fertility as an expensive, high-stakes race against time. Sure, the medical technology has improved over the years, but at what cost? It’s as though fertility has been commodified, treated as something that can be bought and sold, with people forced to navigate an emotional journey through a financial minefield.

And let’s not even get started on the fact that many fertility clinics don’t offer transparent pricing, leading to even more stress when it comes to managing the financial burden of treatment. This, more often than not, adds to the stigma and emotional stress people feel when seeking fertility care.

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The Pressure to Have It All Figured Out

There’s a subtle, but pervasive narrative that runs through the fertility industry: women have to be “on top of their game” and have everything planned, including their reproductive futures, at every stage of life. This narrative starts young—think of all the “You should freeze your eggs” conversations that women have to endure in their thirties, or the constant social media reminders about how “fertility drops at 35.” It’s this unrelenting pressure to have it all figured out that leads so many women to feel inadequate, like their bodies are ticking time bombs, just waiting to go off.

Let’s call it: the fertility industry needs to stop treating women like they’re out of time. It’s not just the shaming of women over age (because let’s face it, not all women want to have kids) but also how it implies that reproductive choices are simple, linear, and universally accessible. The stigma around fertility can be particularly isolating for women who are choosing not to have children, or for those whose journey may take longer, or follow an unexpected route.

Furthermore, the messaging that comes from clinics, media, and the wellness industry can make women feel like their bodies are “failing” them if they don’t meet the fertility timeline set by society. But life doesn’t always work on a neat timeline. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fertility, and the industry’s assumption that it’s a race against time only adds unnecessary anxiety.

The Lack of Education and Support

You know what the fertility industry excels at? Offering treatments. What it often fails to do, however, is provide enough emotional and psychological support to individuals and couples navigating infertility. The process of trying to conceive, or considering fertility treatments, can be incredibly isolating. Yet, there’s often little attention paid to the emotional toll it takes.

In many clinics, there’s a lack of comprehensive education around what fertility treatments actually entail, what risks are involved, and what success rates look like. The focus often tends to be more about the procedure than about supporting patients through the mental and emotional challenges of the experience. Sure, fertility might be a medical procedure, but it’s also a deeply personal journey, and the emotional and psychological support available often falls short.

It’s time for the fertility industry to take a holistic approach—one that addresses not just the body but also the mind and spirit. Fertility journeys are a rollercoaster, and offering real support, guidance, and education through the process is essential. Too often, emotional well-being is an afterthought, and that needs to change.

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Fertility Shouldn’t Be a Privilege

Another problematic aspect of the fertility industry is the assumption that fertility treatment is a privilege for a select group of people—those who have the financial means to afford it. The reality is, fertility care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background. It should be about helping people build families, not about the money.

The industry needs to shift its focus to include equitable access to fertility treatments and services, especially when it comes to underrepresented groups. It’s time for the fertility industry to stop treating this as a luxury service and start viewing it as an essential part of healthcare for all.

Reimagining Fertility Care: It’s About Empowerment

The fertility industry, as it stands, needs a massive shift in how it operates. The real focus should be on empowering individuals to make the best choices for their own lives and bodies, with full access to information, support, and care that doesn’t revolve around shame, pressure, or financial exploitation.

It’s time to ditch the shame, the stigma, and the oversimplification of the fertility journey. The industry needs to move away from the narrative that people have to fit into a certain box to be considered “fertile” or “successful.” People’s lives and choices are far more nuanced than the system allows, and the fertility industry needs to get over the idea that there’s a single path to parenthood. It’s time for an industry reset—one that’s based on transparency, support, and real care for people’s emotional and physical well-being.

In the end, fertility care should be about empowerment and choice, not pressure or privilege. The fertility industry has a long way to go before it gets there—but it has to start somewhere. It’s about time.