The estimated prevalence of infertility worldwide is a staggering one in six.
On paper, that’s a shocking number — but when you look around and realize that the one in six people are in your neighborhood and at your workplace, it’s heartbreaking.
As an employer, you can offer a powerful display of support when you acknowledge how commonplace infertility is, as well as the physical and emotional toll it takes on those trying to build their families. Whether your organization offers a comprehensive women’s health and family building benefit or not, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), April 19–25, 2026, provides a natural entry point for important conversations that will send the strong cultural message that you support your employees’ whole-being.
Preparing for a NIAW workplace campaign doesn’t have to be time-consuming either. Small acts go a long way when someone is navigating a challenging life experience, and taking the time to support them this week is an easy way to make them feel seen and heard. You could:
- Learn something new about infertility. Did you know 30 – 40% of infertility cases are attributed to the male partner? Or that fertility preservation may be the only way someone recently diagnosed with cancer can ever have a family? From debilitating pain to intense financial pressure, there are a myriad of obstacles those experiencing infertility may be navigating. The more aware you are of what goes into the infertility journey, the easier it is to know where you can step in and help.
- Listen to the stories of those who’ve experienced infertility. Infertility can be an isolating and vulnerable experience, making it hard for friends, family, and colleagues to open up. But that doesn’t have to stop you. Below are a few stories from people with completely different infertility journeys. Each is about 20 minutes long — you may be surprised how much you can relate, and how much hearing their stories can shape your next conversation with someone navigating their own family building journey.
- Episode 164: Endometriosis, Male-Factor Infertility, and the Waiting Game | Progyny
- Episode 187: A Decade with Whitney: Freezing her Eggs, Winning the Bachelor, and Becoming a Mom | Progyny
- Episode 217: Redefining Family: Choosing to Move on After Recurrent Loss
- Episode 218: Building Family After Breast Cancer: A Broken Brown Egg AHA Grant Winner’s Story
- Episode 219: Building Military Families: Julie’s Journey from Loss to Community
- Promote infertility awareness. Getting a diagnosis of infertility can be earth-shattering — and the stigma around it often leaves people feeling isolated and ashamed. If you’re not sure how to support someone experiencing infertility, start by normalizing the disease. Speak openly about the stories you’ve heard and the knowledge you’ve gained. Raise awareness in your community and show those who feel alone in their journey that you support them, whether they feel comfortable talking about it or not. Organizations like RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association (which founded NIAW in 1989) offer helpful resources for those looking to learn more.
This NIAW, let’s work together to raise awareness about infertility and support those around us — at home and at work — as they pursue their family building dreams.
If you’re interested in exploring how organizations can better support employees through infertility and family building, our team can help.