What we've found so far suggests that higher exposure to PFOA may be linked to reduced fertility in women. Our analysis of the available research shows that women with greater exposure to this chemical might have a harder time getting pregnant and could be more likely to receive an infertility diagnosis [1].
We looked at one key assertion from the evidence, which is supported by 39.0 studies and not contradicted by any studies. These findings point in a consistent direction: PFOA exposure could play a role in making pregnancy more difficult for some women. PFOA is a synthetic chemical that was once widely used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and other consumer products. While many manufacturers have phased it out, it can still be found in the environment and in people’s bodies due to its long-lasting nature.
Our current analysis does not prove that PFOA causes fertility problems, but the evidence we've reviewed leans toward a connection. We cannot say how strong this link is, or whether reducing exposure would improve fertility outcomes — the data we’ve analyzed so far doesn’t answer those questions.
There are limits to what we know at this point. Only one assertion was available for review, even though it draws from a large body of supporting studies. We don’t have detailed information on the types of studies, their designs, or how exposure levels were measured. Also, no studies in this set refuted the claim, but that doesn’t mean conflicting evidence doesn’t exist — it just wasn’t included in what we analyzed.
Based on what we’ve reviewed so far, it’s reasonable to consider that PFOA exposure might affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.
Practical takeaway: If you're trying to get pregnant, it may be worth limiting contact with older non-stick pans, stain-resistant fabrics, and food packaging known to contain similar chemicals — not because we’re certain they’re harmful, but because the evidence we’ve seen so far suggests a possible risk.
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