Why are fertility rates decreasing?

First, a quick definition. When people talk about fertility rates going down, they usually mean population-level birth rates, not whether any one person can or cannot get pregnant. Those rates reflect how many children people have on average, and they are shaped by culture, economics, policy, health, and timing. Understanding the big picture can help you make calm, informed choices for your own path.

What is driving the decline

Many people are having children later. Education, career building, finding the right partner, and financial stability take time, and that shifts first pregnancies into the mid and late 30s. Biology does not change as quickly as society does. Egg quantity and quality decline with age, which can make conception harder and increase the time it takes to get pregnant.

The cost of raising a child is also a practical barrier. Housing, childcare, healthcare, and parental leave all influence when and whether people feel ready. In many places, support systems have not kept up with what modern families need, so people delay until they feel more secure.

Access to reliable contraception and more control over life planning is a positive story for choice, but it also means fewer unplanned pregnancies. Relationship patterns are changing too. More adults spend longer periods single or living apart, and that naturally lowers birth numbers even when family plans are still important.

Health and environment play a role. Conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and PCOS affect many women. Some couples face male factor issues. Lifestyle factors, untreated infections, and environmental exposures can add friction. None of this means pregnancy is out of reach. It simply means some people will need more time or support than past generations.

What you can influence at an individual level

You cannot control the economy or policy, but you can reduce uncertainty for yourself. Two practical steps make a difference: understand your timeline and get a personal baseline. Track your cycle for a few months so timing is not a guessing game. Then add focused labs that explain where you are starting. AMH reflects ovarian reserve. FSH and estradiol, taken early in the cycle, add context about how your brain and ovaries are working together. Read results together, not in isolation, and use them to plan rather than to label yourself. If you are considering fertility preservation, clinics may also recommend an antral follicle count by transvaginal ultrasound to estimate how your ovaries might respond to medication.

Nutrition - build meals around protein, fiber-rich plants, and healthy fats, with balanced carbs. If you have PCOS or insulin resistance, steady blood sugar can support regular ovulation.

Movement - combine strength training with regular walking or cardio. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Sleep - aim for a stable sleep schedule and 7 to 9 hours most nights.

Alcohol and nicotine - moderate alcohol and avoid smoking or vaping where possible.

Weight stability - if weight is affecting cycles, gradual, sustainable changes are more helpful than short-term extremes.

Stress load - build simple routines you will actually do, like breathwork, short walks, journaling, or time outside.

Environmental exposures - reduce contact with microplastics and common endocrine disruptors. Use glass or stainless for food and water, avoid heating food in plastic, choose fragrance-free or low-plastic personal care when you can, and consider a basic water filter.

Preventive care - keep up with STI screening, cervical screening, and routine health checks. If you have symptoms or risk factors, talk with your clinician about thyroid function, vitamin D, and markers related to insulin resistance.

Where Strawberry fits

Before you decide when to try, whether to freeze eggs, or how quickly to move through treatment options, it helps to know your numbers. Strawberry’s at-home panels make that easy and private, and every member receives a Personalized Fertility Timeline that turns results into next steps.

Choose the panel that fits your goal

Ovarian Reserve Blood Test (AMH) - for a quick look at egg quantity and a clearer conversation about timing or egg freezing.

Fertility Blood Test (AMH, FSH, estradiol) - for early-cycle context when you are deciding between trying naturally, IUI, IVF, or preservation.

Women’s Health Panel - for a broader view when you want fertility insight alongside day to day hormone health like energy, sleep, mood, training, and symptoms.

All tests are completed at home, processed by certified partner labs, reviewed by clinicians, and explained in plain English.

Bottom line

Falling fertility rates are mostly about timing, economics, and changing life patterns at the population level. Your path is personal. With a small amount of tracking, a focused set of labs, and steady everyday choices, you can replace uncertainty with a plan that fits your goals. If you want a simple first step, start with an at-home panel and your Personalized Fertility Timeline, then choose what comes next with confidence.