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Beyond the body: Social, structural, and environmental infertility
Martina Yopo Díaz1, Loreto Watkins2
1Instituto de Sociología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Vicuña Mackenna, 4860, Macul, Santiago, Chile; Instituto de Sociología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Escuela de Sociología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|December 6, 2024
Summary
Infertility is more than a biological issue; social, environmental, and structural factors significantly impact conception. Addressing infertility requires a broader societal approach beyond individual medical treatments.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Infertility is traditionally defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.
- Global fertility rates are declining, prompting a re-evaluation of infertility causes.
- Existing definitions often overlook non-medical factors influencing reproductive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To broaden the understanding of infertility beyond its biomedical definition.
- To explore the social, structural, and environmental determinants affecting conception.
- To advocate for a more comprehensive approach to reproductive health.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of international and interdisciplinary scholarship on infertility.
- Rethinking infertility through a socio-environmental lens.
- Examining the interplay between individual biology and societal conditions.
Main Results:
- Infertility arises from a complex interplay of individual, social, structural, and environmental factors.
- Biomedical approaches and assisted reproductive technologies alone are insufficient.
- Collective action, including family and environmental policies, is crucial.
Conclusions:
- Rethinking infertility beyond the body offers new perspectives on conception challenges.
- Addressing reproductive inequalities requires tackling societal and environmental issues.
- Advancing reproductive justice necessitates a holistic understanding and intervention strategy.
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