Black Women: We Have the Highest Infertility Rate. Here’s What We Can Do

Let’s keep it 100, infertility affects everyone, but for Black Women, the burden is heavier, the silence louder, and the resources fewer. The Velma Carter Centre, we believe in flipping that narrative with truth, care, and community. So let’s unpack this layered issue with facts, science, and actionable steps.

The Infertility Gap Is Real — And It’s Backed By Data

Multiple studies confirm what Black Women have been experiencing for decades. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that Black Women are nearly twice as likely to experience infertility compared to white women, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and lifestyle factors (Wellons et al., 2008).

But that’s not where it ends.

Only 8% of Black Women seek fertility treatment, compared to 15% of white women (Jain, 2006). That’s not because we don’t want to grow our families — it’s because access, trust, and equity are still missing in reproductive healthcare.

A 2021 CDC report on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) found that Black Women have lower success rates for IVF, even when controlling for age and diagnosis (CDC ART Report, 2021). It’s a stark example of medical inequity that can’t be ignored.

Underlying Conditions Disproportionately Affect Us

Fertility doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Our reproductive health is often compromised by conditions that are both underdiagnosed and undertreated in Black communities:

Uterine Fibroids

Black Women are three times more likely to develop uterine fibroids than white women, and they develop them at younger ages and in more severe forms (Baird et al., 2003). Fibroids can cause pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility — yet most of us are told to just “deal with it.”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that disrupts ovulation and affects up to 1 in 10 women globally. While research on racial disparities in PCOS is still developing, studies suggest that Black Women with PCOS have higher insulin resistance and cardiovascular risks, making it harder to manage symptoms that impact fertility (Azziz et al., 2016).

Endometriosis

Though once thought to be rare in Black Women (because we were historically excluded from research), newer findings show that Black Women are less likely to be diagnosed, despite presenting with more severe symptoms (Bougie et al., 2019). Endometriosis causes uterine tissue to grow outside the uterus, creating inflammation and scarring that blocks fertility.

Barriers to Fertility Treatment

Cost & Coverage Gaps

Fertility care is expensive — period. A single round of IVF in North America costs anywhere between $12,000 and $20,000, not including medications or follow-ups. Black Women are less likely to have private insurance coverage, and many state or provincial programs offer little to no fertility support.

A study in Health Affairs highlighted how racial minorities are consistently underserved in reproductive technologies, citing that Black Women are underrepresented in fertility clinics and face longer delays in care (Dieke et al., 2017).

Cultural & Social Stigma

In many African and Caribbean households, conversations around infertility are still taboo. This silence can be deadly. When fertility struggles are seen as personal failure or punishment, women internalize guilt and delay seeking support, sometimes until it’s too late.

So What Can We Actually Do About It?

We’re not powerless. Our stories matter. And science, advocacy, and healing can help us reclaim control.

1. Get a Full Fertility Workup Early

Don’t wait until you’re trying to conceive to check on your reproductive health. By age 30, ask for:

Hormone tests (AMH, FSH, LH)
Pelvic ultrasound to check for fibroids or cysts
Thyroid function tests
Vitamin D levels (Black Women are often deficient, and low levels are linked to poor fertility outcomes)

Pro tip: Ask your doctor to test on day 2–4 of your cycle for best hormone accuracy.

2. Understand Your Options

Even if you’re not ready for kids now, it helps to know what’s out there:

Egg Freezing: Ideal in your late 20s to early 30s to preserve fertility
IUI/IVF: Options for couples or individuals ready to conceive

Acupuncture & Lifestyle Medicine: Shown to improve egg quality and fertility rates

3. Join the Movement — Not Just the Struggle

There’s power in community. These orgs are out here fighting for us:

Fertility for Colored Girls: Offering support, spiritual guidance, and financial help.
The Cade Foundation: Grants for fertility treatment and adoption.
The Broken Brown Egg: A blog and resource hub dedicated to Black infertility stories.

Black Mamas Matter Alliance: Advocacy for reproductive justice and maternal health equity.

Let’s Normalize Fertility Conversations

Talking about infertility won’t make it disappear, but it will make us stronger. You are not broken. You are not less of a woman. And you are not alone.

At the Velma Carter Centre, we’re not just starting conversations — we’re building safe, inclusive, evidence-based spaces to heal, learn, and thrive. Whether you’re preparing for motherhood, in the middle of treatments, or just need to feel seen, we’re with you every step of the way.

Let’s break the stigma and center our health, our choices, and our futures. 💛

Love and power,

Velma Carter Centre

References

Wellons, M. F., et al. (2008). Racial differences in self-reported infertility and risk factors for infertility in a cohort of Black and White women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Link
Jain, T. (2006). Socioeconomic and racial disparities among infertility patients seeking care. Fertility and Sterility. Link
CDC ART Fertility Report, 2021. Link
Baird, D. D., et al. (2003). High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in Black and White women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Link
Azziz, R., et al. (2016). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Endocrine Reviews. Link
Bougie, O., et al. (2019). The impact of race and ethnicity on the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis: a systematic review. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Link
Dieke, A. C., et al. (2017). Racial and ethnic disparities in access to and utilization of infertility services in the United States. Health Affairs. Link
APA – Infertility and BIPOC Women. Link

BlackDoctor.org – Infertility and Black Women. Link