Why Netflix’s ‘Messy Girl Summer’ Missed the Mark and What It Means for Fertility Conversations

Have you seen Netflix’s new ‘Messy Girl Summer’ category yet? It’s a fresh attempt by Netflix to curate shows that embrace chaos, realness, and unapologetic femininity. But as one insightful article on CNET points out, it feels like some key titles are missing from this lineup — those that truly capture the messy, complex, and often unspoken parts of womanhood. (Read the original commentary here.)

This got us thinking: why does this matter beyond entertainment? The way media portrays women, their bodies, and their journeys deeply influences public perception — especially around sensitive topics like fertility and family-building. And let’s be honest, messy isn’t just about spilled drinks or chaotic friendships — it’s about the very real, sometimes gritty experience of trying to conceive or navigate reproductive health.

What Netflix’s Category Got Right — and Missed

Netflix’s “Messy Girl Summer” celebrates the wild imperfection of being a woman. It’s bold, funny, and unfiltered. But as the CNET article highlights, the curation feels incomplete, missing narratives that tackle deeper struggles — like fertility challenges, reproductive choices, and non-traditional paths to parenthood.

Why does this gap exist? Because these stories are often still sidelined or sanitized, even in 2025. The reality is that millions of people face fertility hurdles, and the conversation around them is still emerging from the shadows of stigma and misconception.

Why Fertility Conversations Need More Visibility

Infertility and family-building journeys are inherently messy. There are highs and lows, moments of hope, and heartbreak. Yet, they are often portrayed as clinical, sterile, or even taboo in mainstream media. This lack of representation can make individuals feel isolated or misunderstood.

Here’s the truth:

• About 1 in 8 couples face fertility challenges. That’s a significant part of the population navigating this complex terrain.
• Fertility isn’t a linear story. There are multiple paths — from natural conception to assisted techniques, donor conception to surrogacy.
• Emotionally, the journey is profound and can be filled with unexpected twists.

So when media platforms gloss over or miss these stories, they miss an opportunity to foster empathy and awareness.

How At-Home Insemination Kits Like MakeAMom Are Changing the Game

One of the most empowering shifts today is the rise of accessible, user-friendly fertility solutions that individuals and couples can explore at home. MakeAMom, for example, offers at-home insemination kits tailored to diverse needs:

• The CryoBaby kit caters to those using low-volume or frozen sperm.
• The Impregnator kit supports cases with low sperm motility.
• The BabyMaker kit is designed with conditions like vaginismus in mind.

These kits are reusable and cost-effective, breaking down barriers to family-building outside traditional clinical settings. Plus, they come discreetly packaged to protect privacy — a critical feature for many.

If media showcased stories reflecting this breadth of experiences and options, it would normalize the many faces of fertility and give hope to those on their own journeys.

What Media and Fertility Advocates Can Do Next

• Amplify diverse stories — Real-life accounts of people using at-home insemination or alternative methods to conceive.
• Highlight emotional realities — Beyond the science, show the emotional rollercoaster and resilience.
• Educate audiences — Use media platforms to share factual, accessible information about reproductive health.

As viewers and advocates, we can push for media content that’s both entertaining and informative — that reflects messy realities but also shines a light on innovative solutions.

Final Thoughts

Netflix’s new category is a step toward celebrating imperfect, authentic womanhood, but fertility stories deserve a louder, clearer voice too. Whether you’re just starting your family-building journey or supporting a loved one, knowing that resources like MakeAMom’s at-home insemination kits exist can be a game-changer.

In a world where fertility can feel isolating or taboo, let’s champion honest conversations and inclusive stories. Because messy isn’t something to hide — it’s part of the beautiful complexity of life.

What fertility-related stories do you wish to see more of in mainstream media? Share your thoughts below and let’s keep the conversation going.