“Living with Silence and Shame”: A Meta-Synthesis of Women’s Lived Experiences of Infertility-Related Stigma

Jungmin Lee,1 Seoyoung Kim,2 Soo-Hyun Nam3 1School of Nursing, Hallym University, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea; 2Department of Artificial Intelligence Convergence, Graduate School, Hallym University, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea; 3School of Nursing Science, Gyungkuk National University, Andong, South KoreaCorrespondence: Soo-Hyun Nam, School of Nursing Science, Gyungkuk National University, Andong, South Korea, Email [email protected]: Infertility is a global reproductive health concern that imposes intense psychological and social burdens, particularly in cultural contexts where childbearing is integral to the construction of womanhood.Objective: This qualitative meta-synthesis aimed to gain an in-depth understanding how women experiencing infertility across diverse settings experience stigma, and how they navigate its psychological and relational consequences.Methods: A systematic search was conducted using six electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, JSTOR, ProQuest Central, Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE), supplemented by manual searches. Data quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist. Fourteen peer-reviewed qualitative studies published between 2014 and 2025 were systematically synthesized through a qualitative meta-synthesis to derive integrated themes.Results: Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Sources of stigmatization in the context of infertility, (2) Psycho-social consequences of infertility-related stigma, and (3) Coping strategies among women experiencing infertility-related stigma. Women experiencing infertility reported deep feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, and isolation, shaped by internalized stigma and societal expectations surrounding motherhood. These experiences often led to strained relationships, social withdrawal, and emotional distress. Nevertheless, many women demonstrated resilience through coping strategies such as acceptance, religious reframing, and caregiving roles. These strategies helped them reclaim their sense of identity and overcome the psychosocial impacts of infertility-related stigma.Conclusion: Infertility stigma is not solely a personal burden but a culturally mediated social phenomenon. Effective interventions should be gender-sensitive and tailored to the sociocultural realities of women’s lives. Mental health support and psychosocial services must consider these dynamics to adequately support women navigating infertility in resource-limited or culturally conservative settings.Keywords: infertility, stigma, women’s health, qualitative meta-synthesis, coping strategies