Experts and studies point to a combination of factors to explain why women are choosing to have fewer children, including more access to education and to the labor force, the use of contraception, declining rates of child mortality, and the cost of bringing up children. <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\u201c[W]omen’s empowerment, the increasing well-being and status of children, technological and economic changes, changing norms, and opportunities for family planning have led to the reduction in the total fertility rate,\u201d reads an analysis <\/a>by Max Roser<\/a>, a professor of practice in global data analytics at Oxford University and founder and director of Our World in Data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s choice for his vice presidential running mate, recently left the misleading impression that it\u2019s women\u2019s ability to conceive that is in decline, saying it was part of an \u201cepidemic of chronic disease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI discovered that women\u2019s fertility is in precipitous decline around the world,\u201d she\u00a0said on March 26<\/a>, after Kennedy, who’s running for president as an independent, introduced Shanahan as his pick. \u201cWe are facing a crisis in reproductive health that is embedded in the larger epidemic of chronic disease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201cthree main causes\u201d of this \u201cepidemic of chronic disease,\u201d she said, are \u201ctoxic substances in our environment,” \u201celectromagnetic pollution\u201d and \u201cpharmaceutical medicine.\u201d Shanahan elaborated on toxic substances, saying they included “endocrine disrupting chemicals in our food, water, and soil, like the pesticide residues, the industrial pollutants, the microplastics, the PFAs, the food additives, and the forever chemicals that have contaminated nearly every human cell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In citing “electromagnetic pollution,” Shanahan is referring to electric and magnetic fields<\/a>\u00a0coming from multiple appliances and devices, such as cell phones. According to the WHO<\/a>, \u201ccurrent evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked about support for these claims, Kennedy\u2019s campaign told us in an email that Shanahan\u2019s \u201ccomments on fertility rates and chronic disease are well documented in science journals that you can investigate on your own.\u201d (As we recently wrote<\/a>, Shanahan also made a misleading claim about autism during her speech.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Experts told us these statements on fertility are not supported by science. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere’s no data out there to say that women’s fertility is precipitately declining,\u201d Eve C. Feinberg<\/a>, an expert in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Northwestern University, told us in an interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe birth rate is declining, but I don’t think that the birth rate is declining as a result of a women’s fertility,\u201d Feinberg, who is also a\u00a0director at large<\/a>\u00a0of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said. \u201cThere are multiple socio-economic factors that go into that birth rate and we think it’s really more intentional decision-making of couples deciding to have fewer children.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n Jennifer Kawwass<\/a>, endocrinology and infertility expert at the Emory University School of Medicine and director of the Emory Reproductive Center, told us Shanahan\u2019s claims are \u201cpresumptions that have not been proven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is no clear cause effect relationship behind the specific claims. It is true that there are associations between endocrine disruptors and fertility,\u201d she told us in an email, referring to<\/a> chemicals, such as pesticides, that disrupt the body\u2019s hormones that are part of the endocrine system. \u201cBut, the statements are made in a way that is more black and white and more causal than the current evidence suggests.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Feinberg told us there is a trend among women of having their first child at a later age, which creates a higher rate of infertility among that group, given that age increases the risk of infertility<\/a>, or not being able to get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex, in women and in men. But infertility rates for younger women remain largely the same, Feinberg said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you were to compare a 28-year-old with a 28-year-old,\u201d now and in the past, she said, \u201cthere\u2019s no massive increase in infertility in the younger population.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n A study<\/a> published in 2022 in Fertility and Sterility supports Feinberg’s statements and shows that the rate of infertility among women in the U.S. has remained roughly the same during the last three decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The observational study analyzed data from married and cohabiting women from the National Survey for Family Growth, collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, from 1995 to 2019. Morgan Snow, a medical student at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the study’s first author, told us that previous<\/a> studies<\/a> using a similar methodology had found that infertility in women had dropped from 1982 to 2006-2010. One study found 6% of married women ages 15 to 44 were infertile in the latter time frame, down from 8.5% who had trouble conceiving in 1982. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c[O]ur analysis showed that, over the period of 1995 to 2019, infertility among women in the U.S. was no longer on the decline, i.e., was stable and any changes observed were not statistically significant,\u201d she told us in an email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the study results, one of \u201cthe most significant determinants of infertility \u2026 was the maternal age.\u201d Women aged 40 to 44 who hadn\u2019t given birth before were 11 times more likely to be infertile than younger women. The study also found infertility was more likely in women who hadn\u2019t given birth before, had lower income, had fewer years of education and were non-Hispanic Black. Since sexually transmitted infections\u00a0are on the rise<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0contribute to infertility<\/a>, those who hadn’t received sexual and reproductive health services were also more likely to have difficulty conceiving.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn a global scale, it is harder to speak to trends,\u201d Snow told us, referring to global infertility rates, because \u201cit is difficult to reconcile different methodological approaches in defining infertility.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n A study<\/a> that analyzed global patterns and trends in infertility between 1990 and 2010 found \u201clittle evidence of changes in infertility over two decades,\u201d except for areas in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where infertility went down, not up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Infertility is a common problem that affects millions of people across the world. A 2023 report<\/a> by the World Health Organization showed that approximately 1 in 6 people have experienced infertility, globally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In women, infertility is generally caused by abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and the endocrine system, according to the WHO<\/a>. In men, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says<\/a>, the condition can be caused by testicular failure and hormonal or genetic disorders that impact the production, mobility and ejection of sperm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we said, the risk of women’s infertility increases significantly with age. The CDC says<\/a> other factors that increase the risk include excessive use of alcohol, smoking, being over- or underweight or obese, and excessive stress. Similarly, in men, the scientific literature<\/a> shows that age, obesity, excessive use of alcohol and smoking can increase the risk of infertility. Other factors include exposure to radiation and some chemotherapy treatments, exposure to heat in the testes such as in saunas and hot tubs, and the use of certain medications such as testosterone and anabolic steroids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If infertility was caused by any of the factors that Shanahan mentioned, Feinberg told us, there would be trends and patterns among different populations across the world that could be more exposed to the toxic substances Shanahan cited. But the WHO report, which analyzed 133 studies from 1990 to 2021, didn\u2019t find substantial variations in infertility prevalence between geographic regions or countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although there are<\/a> studies<\/a> that have<\/a> shown<\/a> associations with exposure to certain toxic substances, such as endocrine disruptors, and infertility, including<\/a> in men<\/a>, Feinberg said they \u201cdon\u2019t show actual proof of causation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith regard to the epidemic of chronic disease, I mean, probably the biggest disease that attacks fertility is obesity,\u201d Feinberg said. \u201cAnd so I would say we are facing a crisis with regard to obesity as it pertains to fertility and as it pertains to complications and pregnancy. But you know, with regard to like other types of chronic diseases, medications, pharmaceuticals, environment, we’re simply not seeing that to be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Editor\u2019s note: SciCheck\u2019s articles providing accurate health information and correcting health misinformation are made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The foundation has no control<\/a> over FactCheck.org\u2019s editorial decisions, and the views expressed in our articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the foundation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO<\/a>.\u201d Press release. WHO.int. 4 Apr 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Society for Reproductive Medicine. \u201c2023-2024 Board of Directors<\/a>.\u201d ASRM.org. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201cInfertility FAQs<\/a>.\u201d CDC.gov. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201cSexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2022<\/a>.\u201d CDC.gov. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201cSTDs & Infertility<\/a>.\u201d CDC.gov. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chandra, Anjani, et al. \u201cInfertility and impaired fecundity in the United States, 1982-2010: data from the National Survey of Family Growth<\/a>.\u201d National Health Statistics Reports. 14 Aug 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Denham, Melinda. \u201cRelationship of lead, mercury, mirex, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, hexachlorobenzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls to timing of menarche among Akwesasne Mohawk girls<\/a>.\u201d Pediatrics. Feb 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eatman, Jasmin A, et al. \u201cExposure to phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, and psychosocial stress mixtures and pregnancy outcomes in the Atlanta African American maternal-child cohort<\/a>.\u201d Environmental Research. 15 Sep 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eisenberg, Michael L, et al. \u201cMale infertility<\/a>.\u201d Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 14 Sep 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eve C Feinberg<\/a>. Associate professor, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern.edu. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feinberg, Eve C. Interview with FactCheck.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gallo, Mia V, et al. \u201cEndocrine disrupting chemicals and ovulation: Is there a relationship?<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Environmental Research. Nov 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gore, D\u2019Angelo, et al. \u201cFactChecking RFK Jr.’s V.P. Announcement<\/a>.\u201d FactCheck.org. 27 Mar 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennifer Kawwass<\/a>. Professor, Emory University School of Medicine. Emory.edu. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kawwass, Jennifer. Email sent to FactCheck.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKennedy Welcomes Nicole Shanahan as His Running Mate<\/a>.\u201d Press release. Kennedy24.com. 26 Mar 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mascarenhas, Maya N, et al. \u201cNational, regional, and global trends in infertility prevalence since 1990: a systematic analysis of 277 health surveys<\/a>.\u201d PLOS Medicine. 18 Dec 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Max Roser<\/a>. Director, Oxford Martin Programme on Global Development. Ox.ac.uk. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. \u201cEndocrine Disruptors<\/a>\u201d webpage. NIEHS.NIH.gov. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our World in Data. \u201cFertility rate: children per woman<\/a>\u201d webpage. OurWorldinData.org. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rattan, Saniya, et al. \u201cExposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: Consequences for female fertility<\/a>.\u201d Journal of Endocrinology. Jun 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign. Email sent to FactCheck.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roser, Max. \u201cFertility Rate<\/a>.\u201d OurWorldinData.org. Updated Mar 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Snow, Morgan. Email sent to FactCheck.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Snow, Morgan, et al. \u201cEstimates of infertility in the United States: 1995-2019<\/a>.\u201d Fertility and Sterility. Sep 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen, Elizabeth Hervey, and Anjani Chandra. \u201cDeclining estimates of infertility in the United States: 1982-2002<\/a>.\u201d Fertility and Sterility. Sep 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wijesekara, G.U.S., et al. \u201cEnvironmental and occupational exposures as a cause of male infertility: A caveat<\/a>.\u201d Ceylon Medical Journal. 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n World Health Organization. \u201cInfertility<\/a>.\u201d WHO.int. 3 Apr 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n World Health Organization. \u201cElectromagnetic fields<\/a>.\u201d WHO.int. Accessed 4 Apr 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n World Health Organization. \u201cRadiation: Electromagnetic fields<\/a>.\u201d WHO.int. 4 Aug 2016.<\/p>\n The post Shanahan Misleads on Women\u2019s Fertility Trends\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a> appeared first on FactCheck.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n This post was originally published on FactCheck.org<\/a>. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The post Shanahan Misleads on Women\u2019s Fertility Trends\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a> appeared first on FactCheck.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2637,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57503,3505,59669,3506],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1590813"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2637"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1590813"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1590813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1591092,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1590813\/revisions\/1591092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1590813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1590813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1590813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.factcheck.org\/UploadedFiles\/adobe-fertility-story.jpg\")
Risk Factors of Infertility <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Women are having fewer children today than in the past globally, but experts say that\u2019s by choice and it doesn\u2019t mean \u201cwe are facing a crisis in reproductive health,\u201d as Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s running mate, said during her announcement speech. Infertility rates have remained steady during the last decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n