- Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is linked to reproductive health issues like PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility, according to a study in the journal Reproductive Sciences.
- The herbicide disrupts female hormones, damages reproductive tissues, and increases oxidative stress, contributing to fertility problems.
- Glyphosate exposure during pregnancy can cause epigenetic changes, potentially affecting future generations.
- Meanwhile, over 55% of sperm samples in a French study contained glyphosate, correlating with oxidative stress and impaired sperm function.
- Despite evidence of harm, the EPA maintains glyphosate is safe, prompting calls for stricter regulation and reduced exposure.
A groundbreaking study published in Reproductive Sciences has confirmed what many have long suspected: glyphosate, the active ingredient in the widely used herbicide Roundup, is disrupting women’s reproductive health and contributing to a growing fertility crisis.
The research, which analyzed decades of human and animal studies, found that glyphosate exposure is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and infertility. Despite being detected in over 80% of Americans’ urine samples, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to insist the chemical is safe, raising concerns about regulatory agencies prioritizing corporate interests over public health.
The study highlights how glyphosate—sprayed on crops at a rate of 240 million pounds annually in the U.S.—disrupts female hormones, damages ovarian and uterine tissue, and increases oxidative stress, a key factor in reproductive dysfunction. “Collectively, these findings raise concerns about potential associations between [glyphosate-based herbicide] exposure and female reproductive system diseases, including PCOS, endometriosis, and subfertility/infertility,” the researchers wrote.
How glyphosate harms fertility
Glyphosate’s impact on reproductive health is multifaceted. The herbicide acts as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with estrogen signaling and inhibiting enzymes critical for hormone production. This disruption can lead to ovarian damage, diminished egg quality, and uterine abnormalities, making it harder for women to conceive.
The study also found that glyphosate exposure during pregnancy can cause epigenetic changes, which are alterations in gene expression that can be passed down to future generations. These changes may lead to congenital abnormalities and long-term health issues, even after direct exposure has ended.
In addition to its effects on women, glyphosate has been detected in sperm samples, with a recent French study revealing that over 55% of sperm samples from an infertility clinic contained high levels of the chemical. The study also found a correlation between glyphosate levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma, which can impair sperm function and fertility.
“Taken together, our results suggest a negative impact of glyphosate on human reproductive health and possibly on progeny,” the authors wrote, adding that regulators should err on the side of caution while this connection is explored further by researchers.
A regulatory failure
Despite mounting evidence of glyphosate’s dangers, the EPA maintains that the herbicide is safe for human use. This stance has drawn criticism from public health advocates, who argue that regulatory agencies are failing to protect the public from harmful chemicals.
The findings come as global fertility rates continue to decline, with many experts pointing to environmental toxins like glyphosate as a significant driver. In December 2024, a coalition of U.S. public health groups petitioned the EPA to ban glyphosate, citing its links to cancer, metabolic disorders, and reproductive harm.
With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), advocates are hopeful that his leadership could bring much-needed scrutiny to glyphosate and other harmful chemicals. Kennedy, a longtime environmental advocate, has been vocal about the dangers of pesticides and their impact on public health.
In the meantime, experts recommend reducing exposure to glyphosate by opting for organic produce, avoiding herbicide use in home gardens, and supporting non-chemical weed control strategies.
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