Natalia Llarena, MD, FACOG, discusses rising fertility anxiety in Gen Z

In a recent discussion with Contemporary OB/GYN, Natalia Llarena, MD, FACOG, reproductive endocrinology and Infertility specialist and ob-gyn with HRC Fertility, highlighted the growing trend of fertility anxiety among younger women, particularly Gen Z.

Data show that approximately 72% of Gen Z women experience age-related fertility concerns, with many feeling this pressure as early as age 23. Nearly half report feeling compelled to have children before age 30. Llarena emphasized that while awareness of fertility challenges can be beneficial, panic often leads to rushed decisions about relationships or career paths.

She noted that part of the anxiety is rooted in biological realities, such as the well-documented decline in fertility with age. Still, she underscored that education is a key tool for reducing panic. Many women in their early 40s remain unaware of how age impacts fertility outcomes, highlighting the need for improved patient education.

Llarena advised that women can take proactive steps to support their fertility, starting with a healthy lifestyle that includes avoiding smoking and vaping, eating well, and getting adequate sleep. For those not yet ready to conceive, egg or embryo freezing can serve as valuable options to preserve future fertility.

At HRC Fertility, efforts are underway to help address fertility-related anxiety through patient education and advocacy. One initiative includes moving away from outdated terminology such as geriatric pregnancy, which many women find stigmatizing and anxiety-inducing. By using more supportive language, clinicians can help patients feel more confident during pregnancy and fertility planning.

Llarena also addressed the differences between male and female fertility over time. While men do not experience the same steep age-related decline in fertility, advanced paternal age has been linked to specific genetic abnormalities, autosomal dominant conditions, and increased risks such as autism. This underscores the importance of both maternal and paternal age in reproductive planning.

Ultimately, Llarena emphasized that fertility care should be individualized. Whether a woman seeks guidance in her late 20s or early 40s, the goal is to support her in meeting her family-building goals.

For those beginning to think about pregnancy in their late 20s or early 30s, she recommended early consultations with a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist, even if immediate conception is not the plan. Empowering patients with accurate information, she concluded, allows them to approach fertility decisions with clarity and confidence, rather than fear.

No relevant disclosures.

Reference

HRC Fertility. HRC Fertility study shows why “geriatric pregnancy” must go. News release. Business Wire. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250909926256/en/HRC-Fertility-Study-Shows-Why-Geriatric-Pregnancy-Must-Go