C-Section Rate Drops for First Time in a Decade: CDC

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I suggest there is another possible explanation for the decline in birth rate of the teen and early twenty population of women. It is my hypothesis that testosterone is increasing within the population; I think it is the basis of the "secular trend," the increase in size and earlier puberty in children.
One of the consequences of excess testosterone in women is reduced fertility. This would manifest in younger women who are of higher testosterone. Please read the following citation.
"The mean level of free T [testosterone] was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in anovulatory women when compared with ovulatory ones. .The results show that in infertile women determination of androgen levels, and especially free T [testosterone], is indicated in the absence of clinical signs of hyperandrogenism." (Human Reproduction 1988; 3: 437-439)

James Michael Howard of AR 1:33PM November 18, 2011

The article has confusing wording for teen birth stats. I think it should read "34.3 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19," not "34.3 births per 1,000 teen births."
In 1991 the teen birth rate was much higher at 61.8 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19 and the cesarean rate was much lower 23%. So the suggestion that the overall cesarean rate may have declined because the overall teen birth rate declined doesn't address the bigger picture. Taking a look at physicians' practice patterns would be more revealing and relevant.

Nancy of MA 7:26PM November 17, 2011