You may be exercising, eating healthy, and taking supplements when planning for a baby. But there may be some everyday toxins in your home that may prove dangerous and impact fertility. Many items that you use without sparing a thought may contain chemicals that disrupt reproductive hormones (endocrine disruptors), affecting reproductive health and impacting your chances of conception and pregnancy. Let’s discover these items and how to reduce their usage to protect fertility.
Plastic Containers
Plastic food containers that are not BPA-free can introduce harmful chemicals like phthalates and BPA into the food and disrupt hormone levels & reduces female fertility, so it is recommended that you choose plastic-free containers for food preparation and storage.
Non-Stick Cookware
Non-stick pans may be trending for their numerous cooking benefits but may contain PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) associated with hormone disruption. An effective solution is using traditional cast iron, stainless steel or ceramic cookware.
Cleaning Products
Conventional cleaning products contain chemicals like chlorine, ammonia and phthalates that affect reproductive health. Eco-friendly or homemade cleaners using baking soda, lemon and vinegar are safer options.
Makeup, lotions and shampoos contain phthalates, parabens and other endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormone function) that may harm fertility. Replace these with organic or natural beauty products free of these toxins. Many sunscreens also contain oxybenzone, which enters the skin and affects hormone functioning. Replace with sunscreen that has titanium or zinc oxide.
1. Packaged and processed foods contain additives, artificial colours and preservatives that may create oxidative stress and impact fertility. EDCs (endocrine disruptors chemicals) are used in the material to coat the interiors of the food cans and in food packaging plastics. So these foods are best avoided and should be replaced with whole foods, fresh and organic options when possible.
2. Foods like fatty meats, salmon, tuna, etc., may have high quantities of EDCs depending on where they are produced or caught. Limiting or reducing how often you eat these foods reduces your intake of these chemicals.
Some dental floss brands use perfluorinated chemicals or Teflon, which is typically associated with reproductive harm. Replace these brands with biodegradable, waxed or natural dental floss.
Are you drinking water or juices from soft plastic bottles? Beware—these may be affecting your fertility! EDC plasticisers are used to manufacture these. So, instead, drink from stainless steel, glass, or hard plastic bottles to reduce your intake of toxins. Avoid drinking fluids from disposable bottles, as they absorb EDCs from plastic when left in a hot environment.
The sales receipts you get after shopping containing BPA may look harmless. But when touched with wet fingers, toxins are produced. So those sales receipts at the bottom of your bag or your wallet should be thrown out.
Environmental toxins may contribute to :-
● Poor sperm motility or low sperm count
● Miscarriages or difficulty in conceiving
● Hormonal imbalances
● Unexplained infertility that does not get resolved with traditional treatments.
These chemicals interfere with the hormone functions critical for reproduction. Common sources are:
● BPA: Found in receipts, food packaging and plastics. BPA mimics estrogen (reproductive hormone) & hence impacts the natural hormone balance in the body.
● Phthalates: Shampoos, lotions and fragrances contain these toxins and are linked to low sperm motility and count in men and reduce female fertility by causing menstrual irregularities.
● Pesticides: Present in inorganic vegetables and fruits, also contains.
Lead, cadmium and mercury can accumulate in the body over time and impact reproductive health by decreasing sperm production, increasing chances of miscarriage, disrupting ovulation and also harms fetal development.
Research shows that exposure to toxic air pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide is linked to decreased fertility, irregular menstrual cycle risk of miscarriage.
Exposure to pesticides from the environment or food is an invisible fertility enemy. So, couples wanting to have a baby should limit exposure.
Fertility and environmental toxins are deeply linked, and reducing exposure helps in optimal hormone function. Couples who detoxify can improve fertility and overall well-being.
Now that you know how toxins affect fertility, here are some ways to reduce detoxification.
● Choose organic vegetables and fruits grown without pesticides.
● Limit the intake of processed foods.
● Consume foods like leafy greens, berries and nuts as they are rich in antioxidants and combat oxidative stress and toxins affecting fertility.
● Opt for cleaning solutions that are eco-friendly or homemade, using baking soda and vinegar to avoid toxic chemicals.
● Avoid fragrances and scented products that contain phthalates. Choose fragrance-free options or essential oils.
● Avoid harmful herbicides and pesticides during gardening.
● Invest in a good air purifier that can remove allergens and pollutants.
● Allow fresh air through open windows to reduce air pollution.
● Choose naturally scented or unscented products to reduce exposure to harmful toxins.
● Choose stainless steel or glass for food preparation and storage.
● Use refillable bottles instead of plastic bottles.
● Choose mineral-based sunscreens to protect your skin.
● Opt for personal care products free from phthalates, parabens.
The seemingly harmless everyday items have a huge impact on your reproductive health. Swap them with a safer alternative so that your journey toward conception and overall health is smooth.
Yes. Exposure to pesticides may affect hormones and fertility.
Exposure to heavy metals like mercury and lead leads to low sperm count, hormonal imbalances, ovulation problems and more, impacting fertility.
Phthalates are chemicals used in plastics, personal care products, and cosmetics and act as endocrine disruptors. Exposure to them can impact both female and male fertility by affecting ovulation, egg quality and sperm quality.
