One in Eight
My radar is tuned to a particular frequency when it comes to numbers. "One in eight" catches my attention, 7.3 million (give or take) causes me to sit up, 12% is tattooed on my brain. Why? These numbers represent "my people" in the United States.
Yes, according to a National Survey of Family Growth study listed on RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, Infertility affects 7.3 million people in the U.S. This figure represents 12% of women of childbearing age, or 1 in 8 couples (I'd love to know how those stats look globally).
Those statistics, however, don't make the national news. What does? Well, this story: one in eight baby boomers could fall victim to Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study out today from the Alzheimer's Association. Outside of endometriosis (the condition that contributed to my Infertility), the only other condition that gives me the heebie jeebies is Alzheimer's. The idea of losing my mind, well, let me put it this way as nutty as my mind can make me on any given day, I like the fact that it still operates.
Fortunately there's also a promising way to hold off the onset of Alzheimer's — and it's something within all our control. EXERCISE! Get busy. Evidence shows that physical exercise may be the most effective remedy to prevent Alzheimer's, and large health studies have shown that people who stay physically active are less likely to develop the disease.
Now if only the same could be said for Infertility. I've always been a very active, regularly exercising gal. I also rid caffeine, alcohol and any other suspicious food or activity from my routine while trying to conceive but to no avail.
I'm glad that my exercise routine will help me to be more mentally alert in my twilight years but I'm guessing I'll still be wondering when I'm 80+ why the news of the day continues to ignore the prevalence of those struggling with Infertility.
P.S. I hope all of those who commented or nodded vigorously on my last post are there playing backgammon with me!
Posted by Pamela Tsigdinos at 3/18/2008 8:31 PM 
Categories: Infertility Tales, Infertility's Collateral Damage
Categories: Infertility Tales, Infertility's Collateral Damage
Damnit! Why can't it be "eating chocolate"?
Bea
Alzheimer's--any illness that effects memory--is one of my greatest fears. Both for myself and for anyone I know. Shit I have to start running again.
I saw this story too! Thanks for your comment on my blog. You're very welcome for the post, but I should be thanking all of you for reading and working through it with me. It's the best therapy I've found. I so know what you're talking about with the friendships. Strength to you as you deal with that.
It's nice that we can do something for Alzheimer's, but I wish it would have worked for IF instead.
Yeah, it is like it just isn't there until you are the one experiencing it.
Ever since I learned that the chances of what happened to me were something like 1 in 500 (way, way under 1%), I've stopped believing in statistics. At least as they apply to me.
My mum has dementia and let me tell you, it's not pretty. There are lots of residents on her floor that have Alzheimer's and it's a terrible disease. You work so hard throughout your life and you can't even enjoy your so called golden years. I don't know about the exercise part though, lots of the residents led very active and creative lives before they ended up there. I'm constantly playing wordgames in hopes that I can keep my mind healthy.
I know, why is everyone so uncomfortable talking about infertility, even the press? Other women look at me like I am hysterical and need a tranquiliser when I mention it, I can see it in their eyes.
I found a very interesting book about transitions by Martha Beck, Finding your own North Star. Read the chapter on Death and Rebirth. It has some interesting things to say on moving through times of passage. Thanks for your recommendation of the Nuala O'Faolain's book. Funnily enough I had bought one of her books because the first sentence was about not having children! I wanted to recommend it to you but I couldn't remember how to spell her name and then you beat me to it.
I think the reluctance to address infertility stems from both the overwhelming amount of pronatalism in our society (majority rule) and a very real misogyny that almost consistently attributes infertility to delayed childbearing, increased women's age, etc. If it can be attributed to "choice" (read: fault and blame), it becomes an individual's disease.
It's the use it or lose it adage, active mind = healthy mind. I think the exercise link probably helps, too.
As for the lack of attention IF gets, if I were being cynical I'd point out that infertile people have no choice but to fork out enormous amounts of money to try for a baby. I guess nobody's going to fund something that the participants are already currently paying for.
Eeek, that WAS cynical (and slightly bitter) of me,
J