Paracetamol in Pregnancy Linked to Daughters' Ovaries
A Danish observational study links maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy to smaller ovaries and fewer follicles in daughters.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Pregnancy
Live Poll
Would you trust your doctor's advice on taking paracetamol during pregnancy?
A study published in Human Reproduction Open reports that girls whose mothers took paracetamol during pregnancy had smaller ovaries, fewer follicles, smaller uteruses, and lower reproductive hormone levels at about three months of age. Researchers say the findings call for revisiting paracetamol-in-pregnancy guidelines and clinical conversations about medication need.
Why it matters
The findings add to a debate over a common pain reliever many pregnant women use, particularly after a U.S. presidential warning in September 2025 against its use in pregnancy. Because the study is observational and does not establish cause, its implications for fertility and menopause timing remain unclear.
Smaller ovarian volume was linked to early-phase use and fewer follicles to late-pregnancy use, with differences of roughly 40%, 13%, and 23% respectively. Whether these changes carry any functional consequence for reproductive health is not yet known.
The players
Margit Bistrup Fischer
Lead researcher at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen who led the study on paracetamol exposure and daughters' reproductive development.
Rigshospitalet
Copenhagen university hospital that is home to the research team behind the study.
Donald Trump
Current President of the United States who warned pregnant women against taking paracetamol in September 2025.
The details
Researchers led by Margit Bistrup Fischer of Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen followed 685 women in the first trimester, recording paracetamol use every two weeks and analyzing urine samples. Headaches or migraines were the most cited reason for use, followed by other pain, particularly musculoskeletal.
Timeline
September 2025: Trump warned pregnant women against taking paracetamol at a press conference.
Months later: A review study confirmed paracetamol in pregnancy does not increase autism risk.
October 26, 2026: Study findings on paracetamol and daughters' fertility were reported.
Health Landscape
The study arrives amid renewed scrutiny of paracetamol after the September 2025 warning from Donald Trump, while a separate review confirmed paracetamol in pregnancy does not increase autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability risk. Together, the findings highlight unresolved questions about balancing pain relief against long-term developmental effects.
Pregnant women who use paracetamol for headaches or pain may want to discuss medication needs with their clinicians, since the study suggests a possible link to daughters' ovarian and uterine development. The findings are observational, so no change in individual treatment is established by this research alone.
The takeaway
Pregnant women should keep paracetamol use within recommended limits and discuss any concerns about medication with their healthcare provider. Clinicians may want to revisit how they counsel patients on pain relief during pregnancy as longer-term research clarifies the picture.
Further reading
Explore more Pregnancy coverage for context on medication use during pregnancy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Star.
Live Poll
Would you trust your doctor's advice on taking paracetamol during pregnancy?
