Avoiding vulnerability is a common infertility response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and infertility opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Infertility
- Concealing infertility from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when infertility is high is enormous
- Shame about infertility thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of infertility often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Infertility
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in infertility) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and infertility. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Infertility
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.