The hottest Fertility Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

Nobody knows how to stop humanity from shrinking

Noahpinion • 26647 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demography Fertility Immigration Public Policy
  1. Humanity faces a big problem with declining population and aging, which is not getting enough attention. As birth rates drop, we risk having fewer young people to support our growing older population.
  2. The U.S. now relies heavily on immigration to maintain its population. Many other parts of the world are experiencing the same low birth rate trends, making future immigration uncertain.
  3. Fertility rates are continuously declining globally, and no one knows how to stop this trend. A smaller, older population could threaten the quality of life and economic stability.

The ‘Wild, Wild West’ of the American Egg Donor Industry

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1711 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Fertility Medical Ethics Women's Health Healthcare access
  1. The egg donation industry is often seen as an easy way to make money, but it comes with hidden long-term risks that many donors don't fully understand.
  2. Donors like Kaylene Breeding can experience serious health issues after donating, such as fertility problems and chronic pain.
  3. There is a lack of research on the long-term effects of egg donation, leaving many donors unaware of the potential consequences to their health.

The Forthcoming Future: MIT Students and Desired Number of Children

Heterodox STEM • 78 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🚌 Education Surveys Demographics Fertility Research Gender Studies Cultural Trends
  1. MIT students on average want around two children. The desire varies across different demographics and can be influenced by factors like gender and relationship status.
  2. Women at MIT generally desire fewer children, with many expressing concerns about balancing family and career. In contrast, men tend to prefer slightly larger families.
  3. Religious beliefs can affect how many children students want, with religious individuals generally preferring more children than those who identify as non-religious.

There’s actually a good reason work is so family unfriendly

Sex and the State • 23 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Work Culture Corporate Responsibility Economics Fertility
  1. Work culture is not very friendly to families, which affects fertility rates. It often targets women as if they are the only ones responsible for family matters.
  2. Business strategies that claim to be 'family-friendly' are often not profitable, meaning companies may avoid them to keep costs down.
  3. Finding solutions for work-life balance really requires looking beyond just employer policies; it involves understanding broader economic trends and societal changes.

Fertility Links

In My Tribe • 470 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Marriage Parenting Demographics Aging
  1. Women are most fertile in their late teens, and the decline in fertility happens steadily between ages 20 and 40. It's important to understand this to make informed choices about family planning.
  2. Many countries are experiencing lower birth rates, and this trend is not just linked to economic factors. It's happening in places where we might not expect it, showing that fertility is a complex issue.
  3. Marriage is changing, becoming less common and often entered into later in life. This shift affects when couples start having children, which can contribute to declining birth rates.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

American Fertility Still Runs in Families

Bet On It • 115 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Genetics Parenting Cultural Trends
  1. Fertility is largely influenced by genetics. People from bigger families tend to have more children themselves.
  2. Recent studies show that the connection between family size and having children is actually getting stronger over time.
  3. While family size impacts future fertility, societal factors are also important, and there has been a decline in overall fertility rates in recent years.

The Goldilocks zone between inbreeding and outbreeding

ideassleepfuriously • 884 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genetics Evolution Human biology Psychology Fertility
  1. The risk of producing abnormal embryos is highest in siblings, lower in first cousins, and lowest in third or fourth cousins.
  2. Inbreeding can lead to shared defective alleles and recessive disorders, causing inbreeding depression.
  3. Outbreeding can lead to genetic incompatibilities and higher rates of miscarriage, causing outbreeding depression.

Fertility Links, including a conversation with Lyman Stone

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Society Family Gender Marriage Fertility
  1. Fertility rates are dropping globally, mostly because fewer people are forming couples, which includes both married and unmarried partnerships.
  2. Smartphones and technology are isolating people by providing entertainment at home, which makes it harder for them to build social skills and form connections.
  3. Creating communities that encourage interactions and closeness can help strengthen relationships and possibly improve marriage rates.

Fertility Links, 12/8/2024

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demographics Fertility Policy Society Marriage
  1. By 2050, the working-age population will mostly come from Africa and India, with Nigeria's population matching that of the entire EU. This shift will affect global dynamics significantly.
  2. To boost fertility rates, experts suggest giving parents financial incentives right when children are born, rather than long-term support. They also recommend policies that encourage marriage, as married couples tend to have more children.
  3. In Britain, there's a need to change how families are treated in the tax system. Encouraging larger families through better policies and communication about the fertility crisis could help address declining birth rates.

American Conservatism and Fertility Cult-ure

Anarchonomicon • 1198 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Conservatism Fertility Religion Immunity
  1. American Conservatives and Jewish Conservatives are unique in maintaining above replacement fertility rates in wealthy societies.
  2. Conservative cultures that resist the global urban progressive monoculture tend to have higher fertility rates.
  3. American Conservatism exhibits adaptive immunity to the cultural influences that lead to declining birth rates in other cultures.

"Every part of my body hurt"

The Shift With Sam Baker • 1118 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Pain Diagnosis Fertility
  1. Hilary Mantel experienced years of pain before being diagnosed with endometriosis, impacting her fertility.
  2. Exercise was thought to be helpful for menstrual pain, but Mantel's condition led her to feel like she was leaving normal life behind.
  3. The Shift With Sam Baker is a reader-supported publication that offers both free and paid subscriptions.

The State of Men

Aaron Renn • 294 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fertility Family Book Reviews
  1. New book 'Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture' by Aaron M. Renn is getting positive feedback
  2. Fertility rates in the Nordics are declining despite gender equality and public subsidies for child rearing
  3. There is pushback on the glorification of polyamory as a lifestyle choice

Why has Fertility Plummeted? Insights from Hong Kong

The Great Gender Divergence • 196 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Parenting Research
  1. Conservatives blame over-educated women, progressives highlight women's burdens for declining fertility.
  2. Men's desire for children is decreasing due to endless opportunities for entertainment and heavy expectations in parenting.
  3. In ultra competitive East Asia like Hong Kong, one child is increasingly viewed as sufficient due to the educational arms race.

The Price of Liberalism: The Fertility Problem

Fake Noûs • 365 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Liberalism Fertility Philosophy Technology Society
  1. The world is experiencing a decline in fertility rates, particularly in more prosperous nations.
  2. Liberalism, with its focus on individual freedom and prosperity, may contribute to the decline in fertility due to factors like career options and personal pursuits.
  3. Possible solutions to the fertility problem include promoting the idea that having children is valuable, advancing technology like artificial wombs, and providing incentives for people to have more children.

Join my Conversation with Lyman Stone

In My Tribe • 45 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demography Fertility Public Policy Social Issues Global trends
  1. There will be a Zoom talk about worldwide fertility decline. It's a chance to learn about why it's happening and what could be done about it.
  2. The talk is happening on January 20 at 8:45 PM New York time. Attendees can join and ask questions after the discussion.
  3. The event is for paid subscribers, and the conversation may be recorded for later viewing on YouTube.

Are Fertility & Femininity Inseparable?

Are You Okay? • 139 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Mental health Women's Health Self-discovery Therapy
  1. Fertility struggles can have significant physical, emotional, and social impacts, and it's common for individuals and couples to face emotional challenges during infertility treatments.
  2. Infertility is more common than many realize, affecting around 10-15% of couples worldwide and about 12% of married women in the U.S. Seeking support and healthy coping strategies is important.
  3. Health is about more than fertility - it involves awareness, acceptance, and agency. Reframing fertility challenges as a journey of self-discovery can be empowering for individuals.

Overcoming Population Arguments to Living Longer

Extropic Thoughts • 117 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🔬 Science Population Growth Life Extension Fertility Global trends Economic Impact
  1. Having more people is not inherently bad; each new person brings potential for creativity and productivity.
  2. Limiting lifespan extension to control population growth is ethically irresponsible and ineffective; focusing on reducing birth rates is a better approach.
  3. Global population growth is projected to slow and eventually decline due to various factors, including declining fertility rates and aging populations.

A Personal IVF Story

Karlstack • 144 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility IVF Healthcare Politics Religion
  1. A personal IVF story revealed the author's unique background and insights into the political implications of IVF treatments.
  2. Democrats are using IVF as a political strategy against Republicans, leveraging statistics on public support for fertility treatments like IVF.
  3. While most support IVF, observant Catholics are a key group opposed to it due to teachings of the Church.

The Pro-Life Should Play a Different Game

Cremieux Recueil • 157 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Abortion Legislation Fertility Access Impact
  1. In Russia, efforts to reduce abortion rates were more successful due to changes in contraception usage than government policies.
  2. Trivial inconveniences, like needing approval or counseling for abortions, can actually reduce abortion rates.
  3. Supply-side abortion restrictions, like clinic regulations, can significantly limit access to abortions and lead to behavioral changes in people seeking abortions.

Links #8

Splitting Infinity • 19 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Immigration Climate change Fertility Nuclear Energy
  1. Increased immigration to the U.S. can bring significant economic benefits, with estimates projecting a boost of $7 trillion to US GDP and $1 trillion to federal tax revenues if sustained over the next decade.
  2. Climate change mitigation costs can be reasonable, with projections indicating that offsetting 1.2 degrees of warming by 2100 could cost around $432 billion, showing that effective measures are possible at a manageable cost.
  3. Pro-natal policies to encourage fertility growth may require substantial financial incentives, estimated at $283 billion per year to achieve replacement fertility, but alternative approaches could potentially be more cost-effective.

039: Creatine: Far More Than a Performance Enhancer

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 139 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplementation Exercise Fertility Mental health
  1. Creatine is not just for enhancing athletic performance; it plays critical roles in various bodily functions like fertility, digestion, mental health, and even skin health.
  2. Creatine supplementation can help with methylation problems and is recommended at a dose of 3-5 grams per day.
  3. Creatine is involved in buffering ATP supply, increasing muscle power, and many other roles in cells with high energy demands or polarized structures.

Are We Getting Dumber?

Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology • 31 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🔬 Science Intelligence Fertility Genetics Psychology Data Analysis
  1. There is a negative correlation between IQ and fertility across the world, suggesting a decline in intelligence over time.
  2. More developed countries show a weaker decline in intelligence compared to less developed nations.
  3. Embryo selection for intelligence could potentially offset the decline in intelligence, especially in wealthier countries.

Higher-Weight Patients and Fertility

Weight and Healthcare • 79 implied HN points • 23 Mar 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Weight Fat Activism Weight Loss Reproductive Rights
  1. Many assumptions about fertility and weight loss for higher-weight patients are incorrect, as evidence shows mixed results and the focus should be on health-promoting behaviors rather than weight loss.
  2. Weight stigma and weight cycling have negative impacts on fertility and health, leading to difficulties in accessing proper care and creating additional stress for fat individuals seeking fertility support.
  3. Intentional weight loss through dieting may actually have negative effects on fertility outcomes, with studies showing no significant improvement in live birth rates and potential harm to egg quality and fertilization.

Can Marriage Be Saved?

In My Tribe • 9 HN points • 02 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Marriage Fertility Parenting Tradition Psychology
  1. Being able to make and keep commitments is essential in a successful marriage, and conscientiousness can be developed through rewards, punishments, and exercises.
  2. Appreciating tradition, including religious rituals, can give significance to your marriage and family, making the journey more fulfilling.
  3. Agreeing on family size, having a stable neighborhood, and positive peer pressure towards marriage and children can all contribute to a strong and lasting marriage.

Are Xenoestrogens Causing a Global Fertility Crisis?

Nothing Human is Alien • 2 HN points • 13 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fertility Hormones Global impact
  1. Global fertility rates are rapidly declining across various regions of the world, indicating a potential crisis affecting human populations worldwide.
  2. Evidence suggests that environmental pollutants, particularly xenoestrogens, may be disrupting human and animal hormonal systems and contributing to fertility issues.
  3. Studies show a concerning decline in male testosterone levels and sperm counts, alongside instances of animals experiencing hormonal disturbances due to pollutants like atrazine and plastics.

Don't say the F-word

Indian Bronson • 3 HN points • 15 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Fertility Marriage
  1. People are having less sex and fewer children due to societal and cultural shifts.
  2. Increased female empowerment and choices are leading to fewer children being born despite the desire for more.
  3. The solution to the fertility crisis is not just about having sex, but prioritizing family formation and early marriage.

Remdesivir Is Probably a Reproductive Toxin, and Its Benefit Is Unclear

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 20
🏥 Health Politics Research Mortality Toxicity Treatment Fertility
  1. The benefit of remdesivir in COVID-19 patients is uncertain, with conflicting results from different studies.
  2. Remdesivir could have a time-dependent effect, showing potential benefits when given early in the course of the disease and potential harm when given late.
  3. There are concerns about the reproductive toxicity of remdesivir, particularly in male mice, raising questions about its impact on fertility in humans.