One out of six people struggle with fertility issues globally, so it’s no surprise that reproductive health is a hot-button issue, often making headlines in the media. This coverage can inspire hope in those looking to conceive, especially when it touches upon new technologies and practices for boosting fertility. Others are more concerning, whether they deal with the global decline in fertility, or the infringement on reproductive rights in certain countries.
From the products on our shelves to the policies debated in parliaments and congress, the way we talk about fertility is shaped by both science and society. The stories we see in the media, whether they are hopeful or cautionary, reflect the dynamic nature of reproductive health, and how much more there is to learn.
Here we’ve rounded up a few fertility headlines from the past week to help you navigate what they mean and if they are cause for concern.
Fertility Care Takes Stage in U.S. Politics
In Washington, fertility care has entered the politic arena. Last week, U.S. lawmakers debated issues related to IVF and other reproductive treatments, highlighting the growing role of fertility in the broader conversation on healthcare and human rights in the United States.
One side, backed by supporters of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement as well as anti-abortion groups, is advocating for restorative reproductive medicine, an approach that focuses on medication, lifestyle changes, tracking menstrual cycles and/or performing surgery. RRM does not include IVF, which has helped 8 million babies be born in the U.S. since its inception.
While representatives for the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine say they are not anti-IVF, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine released a fact sheet in May that sounds the alarm on RRM, saying they use misleading terms and ideology that could threaten IVF access in the future.
Concerns about Kennedy and the MAHA movement from medical and scientific communities are growing. On September 22nd, 2025, Kennedy and the Trump administration are set to make the assertion that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, can increase the risk of autism during pregnancy, despite a lack of evidence or conclusive research to support this claim.
Kennedy has previously come under fire for his statements on autism and those affected by it, many of which were offensive and untrue, like the premise that autistic people don’t have jobs or go on dates. Those of us who love autistic people know that autism is not “a tragedy” as Kennedy says, it is simply a neurotype.
As a pediatrician specializing in child development, Dr. Mona Amin pushes back against MAHA rhetoric. In a recent Youtube video, Dr. Amin discusses Tylenol use, folate deficiency and their impacts on pregnancy, saying the following:
- Autism is not caused by one single thing, like a specific choice or medicine
- Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that develops from a combination of genetics and environment
- Many studies that make the news cycle are observational, spotting links instead of providing proof
- Correlation does not equal causation
- In the largest study done on the topic, there was no evidence of increased risk of autism or intellectual disabilities associated with acetaminophen use
- One of the biggest reasons pregnant women use Tylenol is for fever. If fever goes untreated during pregnancy, this can be dangerous for both mom and baby
So does this news story warrant concern? Absolutely, not only because of the specific consequences of the topics being discussed, but also the implications these discussions have on American healthcare more broadly, and the trend towards unscientific approaches influencing policy.
Gel Nails Under Fire in Europe
European regulators have recently banned certain gel nail products after the ingredient trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) was classified as being a possible “reproductive toxicant”. North America has yet to follow suit, and this has some beauty enthusiasts questioning whether their manicures could come with a hidden cost. But according to Dr. Michelle Wong, a chemistry PhD who focuses on cosmetic science, there is currently no cause for concern. In a reel posted to her Instagram page, Dr. Wong says the following:
- All nail products are made of long molecules called polymers. With gel polish, you put the “chopped up bits” on your nail, then place it under a UV light. TPO is an ingredient that starts off the chain reaction
- The final polymer has a hard time getting through skin, and an even harder time getting through nails
- The worst-case scenario leaves less than one percent of the TPO on your nails after using the UV light, so it doesn’t have much chance to get into your body and cause harm.
- The EU’S regulations say that any ingredient that’s found to have these effects, even in a rat study, get banned by default, though the reprotoxic effects (those that reduce fertility) are very tiny, even in rats
- The riskiest part of gel nails is in fact a potential allergic reaction: a type of contact dermatitis, and not anything related to fertility
Should you worry? Right now, probably not, but it’s always good to keep informed on the latest research.
Cannabis and Fertility
Cannabis is becoming more mainstream, and scientists are paying closer attention to how this might impact fertility. A recent study, one of the first to examine cannabis and female fertility, says that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, may have an impact on oocytes (immature eggs). These findings underscore the need for increased awareness and caution among people with ovaries, especially those undergoing fertility treatments.
It's still impossible to directly link THC to egg maturation rate issues, and this field of study has limited data. While some people use cannabis to help with nausea and pain during IVF and pregnancy, Ilina Pluym, a maternal fetal medicine physician at UCLA, tells National Geographic that there are other medications that might be safer and more effective at treating these issues.
This story provides an important update on the scientific progress being made when it comes to women’s fertility, so it’s worth paying attention to. But if you use cannabis for mental health or pain and are concerned about the implications of this on your fertility journey, make sure to discuss your options with your doctor.