News and Insights
IVF, Fertility Stigma, and the Role of Health Communicators in Asia
July 23, 2025
In 2020, my husband and I moved to Singapore, excited for a new chapter and quietly anticipating the joy of starting a family. What we imagined as a natural next step turned into a journey marked by unexpected waiting, medical ambiguity, and emotional endurance. After months of trying naturally and repeated assurances that “nothing was wrong,” we decided to pursue IVF. It was emotionally consuming and physically demanding experience, made even more complex by being far from family, and navigating it during a global pandemic. Throughout, my husband was my powerhouse of strength and optimism, anchoring me through every high and low.
Today, we are blessed with a spirited two-year-old daughter, and I reflect on how this experience has reshaped me- not just as a mother, but as a communicator, and advocate for more open, honest conversations about fertility.
Fertility in Asia: A Growing Public Health Concern
Infertility is far from rare. According to WHO, 1 in 6 people globally will experience infertility in their lifetime. In India alone, over 27.5 million couples are affected. The numbers are rising across South and Southeast Asia, driven by factors such as delayed parenthood, lifestyle changes, and environmental influences. Singapore’s fertility rate, for example, hit a historic low of 0.97 in 2023 and remains among the world’s lowest, with an uptick to 1.26 in 2025. This demographic shift has profound implications for society and the economy, clearly signaling a need for support systems that go far beyond the walls of a clinic.
The IVF Boom and the Communication Gap
The region is witnessing a rapid expansion of fertility clinics and cross-border reproductive services. The Southeast Asia IVF market is projected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 9% through 2033, with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia at the forefront. India is now home to over 1,200 IVF clinics, with its own CAGR estimated at about 10%. Yet, despite this growth, stigma and silence persist. While progress in clinical advancements is evident, it remains incomplete without parallel progress in strategic communication.
Why Health Communications Matter
Our personal story mirrors that of countless others, reminding us that fertility isn’t merely a clinical issue; it’s a public conversation that must be handled with empathy and nuance. Misconceptions persist; that IVF is a last resort, solely for older women, or that success is guaranteed. The truth is far more layered, and these pervasive myths create false expectations and deepen emotional isolation. In today’s dynamic health landscape, credibility isn’t solely about credentials; it’s about real stories, lived experiences and meaningful connections.
As health communicators, we bear the responsibility to move beyond simply marketing services to shaping honest, inclusive, and culturally sensitive narratives that support informed decision-making. As communicators, we must:
Normalize conversations about fertility, including male infertility an acknowledging the emotional strains and relationship dynamics involved
Empower patients as active partners in their care, rather than passive recipients
Train healthcare professionals to communicate with empathy, clarity, and cultural awareness
Leverage digital platforms to provide accessible, evidence-based information that reaches diverse audiences
The Future: From Silence to Shared Stories
The future of fertility care in Asia depends on how we speak about it; openly, honestly, inclusively, and with compassion. As someone who has lived through IVF, I understand the power of a shared story; when personal stories meet professional purpose, we unlock powerful tools for change.
In a region where silence still surrounds reproductive health, every shared experience can be a catalyst- for understanding, for policy evolution, for enhanced access, and for collective empathy. As communicators and as an agency that partners closely with stakeholders across the health ecosystem, we firmly believe that fertility conversations in Asia must be reframed – with care, with courage, and with community at the centre.
The journey may begin in a clinic- but it doesn’t have to stay there.
TAGS: Health, Technology
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