Glyphosate Poses Widespread Risks to Female Fertility and Reproductive Health, Researchers Say

Glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, disrupts female hormones and damages the ovaries and uterus in ways that can make it more difficult for women to get pregnant, according to a new review of human and animal research.

The study, published in Reproductive Sciences this week (March 21, 2025), also found that glyphosate may be tied to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, due to its endocrine-disrupting capabilities and reproductive toxicity.

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects the ovaries, fertility, and periods, among other symptoms. Endometriosis is an often painful condition when tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrial tissue) grows outside the uterus. Both conditions are among the leading causes of infertility.

“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 say.

The study highlights growing concerns about the long-term health effects of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup^®. Glyphosate use rose sharply in recent decades, with around 240 million pounds sprayed annually on U.S. farms.