Unspoken: The Unbearable Weight of Infertility

by Cheryl Dowling

For too long, infertility has been endured in silence-the unspoken grief, the invisible weight, the crushing isolation. Infertility is more than a physical struggle; it's an emotional and mental battle that reshapes your future, your relationships, and the way you see yourself.

That silence ends here.

In Unspoken, award-winning storyteller and advocate Cheryl Dowling gives voice to the millions who have felt unheard-and captures what so many find impossible to put into words. With raw honesty and unfiltered truth, she pulls back the curtain on the buried pain, the quiet suffering, and the relentless cycle of hope and heartbreak.

More than a book, Unspoken is a voice for those who have carried this struggle in silence. A powerful reminder that your pain is real, your story matters, and no matter how isolating this journey feels, you are never truly alone.

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Cheryl Dowling is a globally recognized fertility advocate, Emmy® Award–winning storyteller, and founder of The IVF Warrior. Through her groundbreaking work, she’s helped reshape how infertility is understood, supported, and spoken about—by individuals, institutions, and the media.

She is the author of Unspoken, a powerful memoir that gives voice to the emotional and psychological toll of infertility. With unflinching honesty and a background in counseling, Cheryl blends lived experience with expert insight to create space for the stories that often go unheard.

Her work has been featured in major media outlets and trusted by millions navigating the complexities of reproductive health. She is a leading voice at the intersection of advocacy, emotional wellness, and systemic change in fertility care.

Follow Cheryl for personal reflections, behind-the-scenes insights from the writing of Unspoken, and powerful conversations about infertility, grief, healing, and hope.

If Unspoken resonated with you, leaving a review can help someone else feel less alone in what they’re carrying.

Reviews

[Erika Stobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, something that puts into words the incredible weight that is infertility, grief, pain, heartache, anger, and everything in between.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I read it in just one sitting; it was absolutely incredible.

I myself struggle with infertility and I am in the thick of IVF treatments. This book perfectly explains the unfortunate harsh reality and emotional journey that so many people are on. It puts into words EVERYTHING that I feel, but can’t even begin to express myself. This process is so isolating and completely changes every aspect of your life. This book made me feel seen and heard. I cried within the first few minutes because I felt like finally someone was able to understand and relate to me.

The infertility journey is an isolating one, but with this book I feel much less alone. A must read for anyone struggling in the infertility world, or for anyone who wants to support someone who is. Thank you Cheryl for this incredible book.

[Gabriela Peytchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read Unspoken and it brought back so many memories and emotions I thought I had tucked away. It lays bare the raw truth of infertility—the physical toll, the financial strain, and most of all, the emotional weight. Just when you think you’ve processed it all, this book reminds you how deep it runs. It tells one of the hardest and longest journeys I’ve come across, and honors the quiet resilience women carry as they continue to hope and fight for their families.

[Erin Schwark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the book in one day! It speaks the truth of what it feels like to have infertility and I hope this breaks the silence!

[Danielle Brott · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing groundbreaking to those of us on the journey, but I kept finding myself agreeing with the themes and wishing there were certain people in my life that read this book and could surface level understand the truly heavy weight we carry daily.

[Talia Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infertility can be an incredibly isolating experience, and for a long time, I’ve struggled to find the words to explain how heavy it feels. Unspoken put those feelings into words in a way that made me feel seen and deeply understood. Page after page, I found myself nodding, crying, and breathing a little easier knowing I’m not alone in this.

What stands out most is the reminder that while this is not a club anyone wants to be in, there is comfort and strength in community. The author (Cheryl Dowling) doesn’t sugarcoat the pain, but also doesn't let us forget the importance of speaking up. Our stories matter. Talking about infertility matters. Because silence only deepens the loneliness - and this book is a powerful antidote to that.

If you’re walking this path, or love someone who is, I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of truths in the book and I saw myself there too but I just couldn’t keep reading the same over and over again. I try to stay positive, do things that I love doing no matter how small. And when the negatives creep in. I take them in and talk to my husband & friends about it.

It’s a hard journey to face, I know!
I’ve been trying to conceive for over 5 years and been through & currently having IVF. It’s hard and the first few chapters of the book was ok but after that I felt it just repeated.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unspoken was really powerful. As someone who struggled with infertility for many years, it was really relatable and emotional. It covered a lot of the silent aspects of infertility that people don't talk about or even realize exist.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has been through infertility and IVF, Unspoken hit close to home. It captures what so many of us carry. The emotional and mental toll of infertility is rarely talked about, but Cheryl shared these aspects in a raw, beautiful, and relatable way.

[Paige Salwei · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book but found it to be very repetitive and surface level. The discussion about repeat failed cycles is also pretty triggering if you are actively experiencing it yourself.

[Sami Shanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best and most helpful book I’ve read this year.

[Adrianna Soranno · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeahhhh… That was so utterly depressing.

[Emily Geist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very repetitive, but the sentiment was there.