If a woman is exposed to a chemical called PFOS, she might have a slightly harder time getting pregnant, based on studies of women’s health data.

What we've found so far is that the evidence we've reviewed leans toward the idea that exposure to PFOS might make it slightly harder for a woman to get pregnant. Our analysis of the available research shows this is based on health data from women [1]. We looked at 39.0 studies or assertions, and all of them support the idea that PFOS exposure could be linked to reduced chances of pregnancy. None of the assertions we reviewed refuted this [1]. PFOS is a type of chemical that has been used in industrial and consumer products, and it can stay in the body for a long time. The studies we analyzed looked at how levels of PFOS in women’s bodies relate to their ability to conceive. While the evidence we've reviewed consistently supports this link, we don’t have enough information to say how strong the effect is, or whether other factors might also be involved. Our current analysis doesn’t allow us to conclude that PFOS exposure directly affects fertility—we only see a pattern that suggests a possible connection. We also don’t know yet how this might vary depending on the level or timing of exposure, or whether reducing exposure improves pregnancy chances. Since we’re working with what’s been studied so far, our understanding could change as more data becomes available. Practical takeaway: If you're trying to get pregnant, being aware of potential environmental chemicals like PFOS—found in some older non-stick or stain-resistant products—might be worth considering, even though the evidence only suggests a slight possible effect.