CDC Links Endometriosis, PCOS to Fertility Problems
New CDC data shows women diagnosed with endometriosis, PCOS or uterine fibroids report higher rates of current fertility problems than those without these conditions.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Women’s Health
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The CDC released data in July 2026 showing that 6.2% of American women aged 20 to 49 were ever diagnosed with endometriosis between 2022 and 2023. Women diagnosed with the condition reported current fertility problems at a rate of 33%, compared with 18.6% of those not diagnosed.
Why it matters
The findings add national-level figures to the link between common gynecologic conditions and fertility, which can help clinicians and patients understand how these diagnoses relate to reproductive health across the United States. The data is drawn from the National Survey of Family Growth, a nationally tracked source of fertility information.
The survey covered 4,856 female respondents aged 20 to 49, with 6.2% ever diagnosed with endometriosis, 8.7% with PCOS and 7.8% with uterine fibroids between 2022 and 2023. The study does not establish whether the conditions cause the observed fertility problems.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The federal public health agency that released the survey data and tracks reproductive health trends across the United States.
The details
The CDC analysis used responses from 4,856 women aged 20 to 49 in the National Survey of Family Growth, which tracks infertility and impaired ability to have children. Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive-age women globally and more than 6.5 million women in the United States.
Timeline
Diagnosis rates were measured between 2022 and 2023.
The CDC released the diagnosis and fertility data in July 2026.
Health Landscape
The findings draw on the National Survey of Family Growth, which has long tracked infertility and impaired ability to have children among U.S. women. They add diagnosis-specific comparisons for endometriosis, PCOS and uterine fibroids to that longstanding national series.
Women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis, PCOS or uterine fibroids may want to discuss fertility with their clinicians, since the data show higher reported fertility problems in these groups. Early conversations with a doctor can help identify options and next steps for individual circumstances.
The takeaway
Diagnosis of a common gynecologic condition can be a useful prompt to discuss fertility concerns with a healthcare provider. The national data show these conditions are linked to reported fertility problems, which makes early evaluation worth considering.
Further reading
Explore more on Women’s Health to see how reproductive conditions are being studied across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
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