Is PTFE nonstick cookware a fertility concern?
Use caution. A 2025 human and mouse study linked PTFE exposure with lower sperm quality, but it was not a normal-cooking exposure study.
What's actually in it
Many nonstick pans use PTFE, also known as Teflon. PTFE can shed particles when a pan is scratched or worn. At very high heat, PTFE can break down and release fumes.
If you are trying to get pregnant, this is a good place to lower avoidable exposure. You do not need a perfect kitchen overnight. Start with the pan you use most.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Advanced Science reported PTFE detection in the male urogenital system and studied effects in humans and mice. The authors found PTFE exposure was linked with disrupted sperm development, abnormal sperm shape, lower motility, and fertility effects in the models they studied.
This paper does not prove that normal use of one pan causes infertility. It does support a cautious kitchen swap. Use stainless steel, cast iron, enameled cast iron, or carbon steel for daily cooking. If you still use nonstick, keep heat below high, do not preheat it empty, and replace scratched or flaking pans.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic Repair of Sperm Quality Decline Caused by Polytetrafluoroethylene. | Adv Sci (Weinh) | 2025 |