All You Need to Know About National Infertility Awareness Week

Infertility affects millions of people worldwide — regardless of age, race, gender, or economic status — and yet we still don’t talk about it nearly enough. That’s why the National Infertility Association (RESOLVE) created National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW): to raise awareness, decrease stigma, and advocate for policy change.

Each April, NIAW reminds us that infertility isn’t a “niche” issue — it’s a global health concern, an emotional rollercoaster, and a social justice conversation all rolled into one. Because when nearly one in six people face fertility challenges, silence isn’t an option anymore.

In this article: 📝

When is National Infertility Awareness Week?

Future and past NIAW dates are as follows:

• 2022: April 24 to April 30
• 2023: April 23 to April 29
• 2024: April 21 to April 27
• 2025: April 20 to April 26
• 2026: April 19 to April 25
• 2027: April 18 to April 24
• 2028: April 23 to April 29

It’s always held in the last full week of April — a time when fertility advocates, clinics, and communities around the world come together to #WearOrange, share their stories, and remind policymakers that reproductive health care isn’t optional.

Why is National Infertility Awareness Week so important?

Real talk: infertility can be psychologically devastating and cause serious distress within relationships. The stigma surrounding it only makes matters worse, further isolating those struggling and shutting the door on conversations that need to be had.

What’s more — and, yes, we’re writing this in the third decade of the 21st century — discussions around infertility are still steeped in gender bias. While blanket assumptions too often blame women for struggling to get pregnant, the reality is that complications can arise from either or both sides, or an indeterminate cause.

Mix in a delightful bit of ageism (“maybe you waited too long because of your career?”) and infertility becomes a deadly cocktail for women’s mental health.

(If you ever wanted extra proof of this, look no further than the use of damaging terminology like geriatric pregnancy.)

National Infertility Awareness Week is a massive leap in the direction of changing the conversation we have around infertility. It’s open, it’s honest, and it’s about damn time.

Beyond the personal stories, it’s also about policy and access. In the US, RESOLVE advocates for laws that make fertility treatment — like IVF or egg freezing — more affordable and accessible. Because in 2025, it’s still true that where you live often determines whether you can afford to build a family through assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Infertility is common.

As in an estimated 186 million people around the globe, or 1 in 6 adults kind of common. Defined by the CDC as not being able to get pregnant after a year of trying, infertility affects about 12% of women between the ages of 15 and 44.

And infertility isn’t just about “trying and failing to conceive.” It also includes challenges with carrying a pregnancy to term, secondary infertility (struggling after having a previous child), and same-sex or solo parents who require medical support to conceive.

Infertility is stigmatized.

The tragedy, however, is that even with stats showing how prevalent it is, infertility is still shrouded in taboos. Many people feel a deep sense of shame or failure, when in reality, infertility is a medical condition — not a reflection of effort, love, or worth.

National Infertility Awareness Week aims to kickstart conversations for those wishing to talk about their own experiences. In this way, NIAW builds awareness so that both the public and lawmakers become mindful of infertility and its effects.

It’s also a chance to educate the wider world: to replace the hurtful “just relax and it’ll happen” comments with genuine understanding, empathy, and support.

Infertility is complex.

Stemming from a wide spectrum of possible causes (some of which are unknown), oversimplifying the conversation is simply not productive.

Infertility can result from hormonal imbalances like PCOS, issues with ovulation, structural conditions such as endometriosis, sperm quality problems, or unexplained factors.

For some, it may even relate to environmental or autoimmune conditions. Every story is different, which is why awareness — and access to proper diagnosis and treatment — matters so much.

Infertility is not the end of the road.

Treatments like IVF, IUI, donor conception, surrogacy, and embryo adoption exist — all part of what’s known as Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

By raising awareness among policymakers, NIAW calls for changes such as including fertility treatments in insurance coverage and ensuring that these technologies are available to all families — regardless of gender, relationship status, or income.

Science has come so far in giving more people a chance at parenthood. What still needs to catch up? Equality in access.

Infertility can be a source of grief.

For many, infertility can leave you grieving for a future that doesn’t happen as planned.

You may grieve monthly with every negative test, or feel waves of sadness seeing pregnancy announcements online. And that’s completely normal.

Infertility grief often mirrors other types of loss — it’s the loss of control, of expectation, and sometimes, of identity.

Connecting to those who have suffered similar loss can be a vital step in healing. Communities like Peanut offer space for women to talk openly about infertility, miscarriage, IVF, and everything in between — without judgment, pity, or platitudes.

What is the ribbon color for infertility?

Orange. Why orange? It’s a color of wellness, compassion, and warmth. It also represents hope and the movement for community, inclusivity, and breaking stigma. 🧡

As RESOLVE tells us, “Studies show that orange can create a heightened sense of activity, increased socialization, boost in aspiration, contentment, assurance, confidence, and understanding.”

So whether it’s an orange pin, scarf, or selfie caption — wear it proudly. You’re part of something bigger.

Is there an Infertility Awareness Month?

Yes! It’s global! And it’s in June.

Infertility Awareness Month takes the message of NIAW and expands it globally, spotlighting the work being done by advocates and clinicians around the world to improve fertility care, reduce stigma, and support mental health.

What is World Fertility Day?

World Fertility Day, held on November 2nd each year, is hosted by IVFBabble. It’s a day to share your stories of fertility, feel empowered with knowledge from experts and other people going through the same thing.

Just like National Infertility Awareness Week, it’s about highlighting the challenges some people can have, opening discussions, tearing down stigmas, and getting people connecting. Because wherever you are in the world, the feeling of “me too” is a powerful antidote to loneliness.

How can I get involved for National Infertility Awareness Week?

Join the movement and be part of changing the conversation.

There are various ways you can get involved:

• Share your story on Peanut.
• Donate what you can (even time is a donation!)
• If you’re comfortable, post your infertility story on social media using #NIAW.
• If you don’t want to share yours online, or you want to support other people, how about posting a meaningful infertility quote to empower yourself and others?
• Listen to other people’s stories of infertility.
• And, of course, #WearOrange.

“Empowering you and changing the conversation” — that’s the vision of NIAW.

You can also explore local or virtual events hosted by RESOLVE, reach out to your representatives about fertility coverage, or simply check in on a friend who’s TTC (trying to conceive). Sometimes, that message of “thinking of you today” means everything.

You’re not alone.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with infertility and its effects, there’s hope.

Talk to women who understand on Peanut, help decrease the stigma, and lift some of the burden of suffering alone.

Infertility may be part of your story, but it doesn’t define your worth, your strength, or your future. 💛