Breathe
By Sofía Pérez Gasque
In today's business and working world, the struggle for gender equity has taken important steps forward, but there are still many areas of invisibility that affect women. One of the least discussed aspects is the impact of fertility treatments, especially in vitro processes, on women's professional lives. This topic, which may seem distant to some, is a daily reality for many, but is rarely mentioned or openly discussed in work environments.
I recently had the opportunity to witness one such situation that made me reflect deeply on the silence surrounding these issues. I was leading a training for a group of 30 leaders, where they were sharing experiences on leadership, stress management and personal development. In the middle of the session, two women decided to open their hearts to the group, revealing that, at that very moment, they were undergoing in vitro treatment. Both shared that they were going through an extremely difficult time, not only because of the hormonal effects of the process, which left them completely unbalanced, but also because they did not know how to express that pain and vulnerability in a work environment that rarely addresses these issues.
Female fertility, especially in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, remains a taboo subject in many professional settings. Although millions of women around the world undergo these treatments, few are willing to talk about them. In part, this is due to the stigma that still exists around infertility and the societal pressure that women must be "perfect" in all aspects of their lives: personal, professional and physical.
The side effects of IVF treatments are complex. Women may face significant hormonal changes, emotional disturbances, extreme fatigue, anxiety and a general feeling of being out of control of their own bodies. For those who are working, this process can be especially difficult, as many fear that by sharing their situation they may be perceived as less competent, less reliable or less committed to their work.
What these women experience is not simply a medical difficulty, but a social and emotional challenge that, in many cases, cannot be openly shared or understood within the work environment. In my experience, these two women, despite being surrounded by a professional and empathetic environment, felt alone and overwhelmed as they were unable to verbalize what they were going through. The emotional burden they carry, added to the pressure to fulfill their work responsibilities, creates a situation of invisibility that often leads them to move on without receiving adequate support.
The silence about in vitro processes in the work environment has several profound reasons:
- Infertility Stigma: Despite the fact that infertility affects many couples around the world, it is still a topic that is treated with some suspicion and shame. Society, especially in the workplace, often expects women to be able to "keep it all under control," leading to an aversion to showing vulnerability.
- Fear of Discrimination: Women going through an in vitro process fear that their careers will suffer if it is revealed that they are dealing with reproductive difficulties. Concerns about being labeled as "problematic" or "less productive" are a reality for many women who prefer to keep their situation private.
- Lack of Sensitive Labor Policies: In many countries, labor policies still do not recognize or adapt their regulations to support women undergoing fertilization treatments. This ranges from the lack of specific leave for medical treatments to the lack of adequate space to discuss these issues without fear of repercussions.
- The Taboo of the Perfect Woman: In many cultures, women are expected to be able to balance a successful career, be perfect mothers and wives, maintain their physical and emotional health, and always be productive. This ideal can make it extremely difficult for a woman to ask for help or acknowledge that she is dealing with a process as complex as in vitro treatment.
