Stigma experience of female infertility patients in China: A phenomenological study

Stigma is a psychological issue prevalent among patients with infertility. We employed qualitative research methods to explore the experiences of Chinese women with infertility-related stigma in the context of their cultural environment. We selected twelve participants who underwent infertility treatment at The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University between March and April of 2024. Data collection involved semi-structured in-depth interviews, which we analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological seven-step analysis method. We identified ten subthemes across three main themes: emotional responses to stigma (anxiety, guilt, and feelings of inferiority), sources of stigma (self-stigma, family stigma, and societal stigma), and coping strategies (concealment, social withdrawal, spousal support, and optimistic coping). These findings highlight the pervasive effects of the stigma experienced by female patients with infertility in China. Targeted interventions should be developed to address and alleviate stigma and associated challenges for these patients.