New Research Reveals Significant Fertility Knowledge Gaps Among Gen Z Women
January 29, 2026
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC—F&S Reports, an official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), has published the first-ever study examining American Gen Z women’s education and understanding of fertility treatment. The research reveals substantial gaps in Gen Z women’s understanding of reproductive aging, infertility risk, and available treatment options, underscoring the need for improved fertility education to empower women to make informed decisions about family building and fertility preservation.
The study, “What Are My Options? Fertility Awareness, Infertility Treatment Awareness, and Education Needs Among Generation Z Women,” surveyed adult women ages 18–27 to understand what they know about fertility, where they get information, and what education they feel is missing. While many respondents expressed strong interest in learning more about fertility and reproductive health, significant knowledge gaps remain. Key findings include:
The study authors, Meredith L. Clements, Ph.D., Sean Sawicki, Ph.D., and Noelani Segree note that delayed or inaccurate information may leave young women unprepared to make informed decisions about family building later in life. The findings suggest that evidence-based fertility education delivered earlier could better support reproductive autonomy and long-term health planning.
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC—F&S Reports, an official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), has published the first-ever study examining American Gen Z women’s education and understanding of fertility treatment. The research reveals substantial gaps in Gen Z women’s understanding of reproductive aging, infertility risk, and available treatment options, underscoring the need for improved fertility education to empower women to make informed decisions about family building and fertility preservation.
The study, “What Are My Options? Fertility Awareness, Infertility Treatment Awareness, and Education Needs Among Generation Z Women,” surveyed adult women ages 18–27 to understand what they know about fertility, where they get information, and what education they feel is missing. While many respondents expressed strong interest in learning more about fertility and reproductive health, significant knowledge gaps remain. Key findings include:
- Limited understanding of age-related fertility decline: While 87% of respondents correctly identified the age range for peak fertility, only 54% correctly identified the age range when fertility begins to decline.
- Limited understanding of age-related treatment effectiveness: Understanding of treatment effectiveness was also limited, with just 29% correctly identifying IVF success rates for a 35-year-old, 48% for a 44-year-old, and 51% correctly identifying the likelihood of IVF success on the first attempt.
- Declining awareness of miscarriage rates compared with prior generations: Only 27% of participants correctly identified the likelihood of miscarriage, reflecting a 9% decline from millennial women surveyed in 2017.
- Most Gen Z women want children, report concern about fertility: Of the women surveyed, 74% reported wanting children, yet 59% felt uninformed about their reproductive health, and 69% reported varying levels of concern toward their future fertility.
The study authors, Meredith L. Clements, Ph.D., Sean Sawicki, Ph.D., and Noelani Segree note that delayed or inaccurate information may leave young women unprepared to make informed decisions about family building later in life. The findings suggest that evidence-based fertility education delivered earlier could better support reproductive autonomy and long-term health planning.
“Results from this study support a similar overall argument for a stronger emphasis on fertility education, especially because Gen Z women share similar misconceptions about fertility and infertility treatment as millennial women who were surveyed while they were within the peak fertility age range,” write the authors. “Prioritizing comprehensive fertility education can empower Gen Z women with knowledge to make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures that are more proactive than reactive.”
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org
For media inquiries regarding this press release contact:
Sean Tipton
ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer
E: stipton@asrm.org
Anna Hovey
Advocacy Engagement Specialist
E: ahovey@asrm.org
J. Benjamin Younger Office of Public Affairs
726 7th St. SE
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Tel: (202) 863-2494
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