Recognizing occupational therapy's role in fertility support

Infertility touches the lives of countless individuals, impacting not just their physical health but also their emotional and occupational well-being. Infertility is a disorder of the male or female reproductive system, defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It can cause significant distress, stigma, and financial hardship, affecting people’s mental and psychosocial well-being. It is a global concern, affecting approximately 1 in 6 adults, leading to significant alterations in daily life, identity, and the pursuit of cherished roles (World Health Organization, 2023). These profound changes can often disrupt individuals’ engagement in the meaningful activities that constitute their daily routines. In recognizing the multifaceted challenges posed by infertility (Collins, 2019), occupational therapy emerges as a pivotal and empathetic partner in fostering the care and well-being of this population by promoting participation and engagement in daily occupations. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) can contribute to providing holistic support to those navigating the complexities of fertility care, enhancing OBGYN services, including navigating infertility and enhancing natural fertility through use of lifestyle modification interventions (Homan et al., 2018), preserving fertility, and preparing for assistive reproductive technologies.