Ferring introduces platform to connect aspiring parents to fertility coaches

Ferring Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of a free text-based platform to connect aspiring parents to live fertility coaches.

Fertility Outreach, created in partnership with the digital platform Robyn, provides a text-based solution for those seeking information and guidance on their path to parenthood.

In the US, one in eight couples struggle to get and stay pregnant and research has shown that women dealing with infertility are likely to report depression and anxiety symptoms similar to those with cancer or heart disease.

Further, findings from a study published in Reproductive Biomedicine has found that 60 per cent of the people surveyed believed the diagnosis and treatment of infertility impacted their mental health. However, less than half reported seeking mental health services during their infertility journey.

Through Fertility Outreach, Ferring aims to address the overlooked aspects that aspiring parents experience and the additional support they may require.

The platform’s fertility-trained coaches are equipped to support people on their journey, answer their questions, help them deal with the toll fertility challenges can take on mental health and understand insurance coverage for treatment.

“Ferring is committed to exploring the full ecosystem of fertility care by developing innovative solutions that go beyond medicine to better support aspiring parents and their different needs,” said Elizabeth Garner, MD, MPH, chief scientific officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, US.

“Fertility Outreach, through a support system of live, trained fertility coaches, provides personalised information because we understand that everyone’s path to parenthood is unique.”

Allison Kasirer, CEO and founder of Robyn, said: “As an organisation who has proudly shared the fertility community’s stories for years, we heard each story shared and validate the common hurdles and struggles expressed from aspiring parents.

“I know first-hand how challenging this experience was for me and that’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Ferring to deliver this unique and valuable resource.

“With Fertility Outreach, aspiring parents are now just a text message away to connecting with expert coaches to receive personalised and empowering guidance and information.”

Fertility Outreach is part of Fertility Out Loud, a platform and social community that Ferring launched in 2021 to help improve access to care for all aspiring parents.

The pharma group says Fertility Out Loud was designed to provide the resources needed to speak up, take action and seek help from the right health care provider sooner.

The platform is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.