Is Infertility on the Rise in the U.S.?

Infertility—difficulty conceiving after 12 months of trying—is a growing concern in the U.S., affecting individuals and couples of reproductive age.

📊 Current Prevalence Rates

• About **13.4% of U.S. women aged 15–49** had impaired fertility between 2015 and 2019; among married women with no prior births, **19.4%** were infertile. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Approximately **11.4% of men aged 15–49** also experienced fertility issues during the same period. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

⚖️ Is Infertility Increasing?

Data from Johns Hopkins and CDC show **female infertility rates remained relatively stable** between 1995 and 2019, with no significant upward trend. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

📉 Why Impaired Fertility May Feel More Common

• Delayed parenthood: More Americans are waiting longer to have children—CDC data shows rising birth rates in women over age 30. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Fertility treatments are more visible: IVF births now account for about **2.5% of all U.S. births**, and egg-freezing rates climbed significantly in 2022. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Increasing awareness: Public discourse around infertility has expanded—nearly **42% of U.S. adults know someone who used fertility care**, up from 33% five years ago. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

⚠️ Contributing Societal Factors

• Obesity & metabolic syndrome: Rising obesity rates disrupt hormonal balance and contribute to PCOS and ovulatory issues. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Declining male sperm counts: Research shows a significant drop in sperm concentration and count over recent decades—particularly in Western countries including the U.S. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Limited access: Many regions are “fertility care deserts,” where affordability and geographic access are major barriers. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

✨ Socio-Demographic Disparities

• Black women report higher rates of infertility but access infertility treatment at lower rates than White women, often due to health disparities in obesity, fibroids, and systemic barriers. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

🩺 What Does This Mean?

• Infertility rates in the U.S. have not shown a definitive rise, but more couples are reporting reproductive difficulties in parallel with later-age childbearing.
• Use of fertility services and awareness has increased, making infertility more visible and prompting greater discussion and care-seeking.
• Biological, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors are influencing overall reproductive health trends.

✅ Bottom Line

While estimates suggest 1 in 8–10 couples in the U.S. face infertility, long-term prevalence among women has been stable from the late 1990s through 2019. The apparent increase is driven more by delayed childbearing and greater visibility of fertility challenges through treatment and public discourse.