Environmental toxins and fertility: optimising your environment

On this page

1. Overview
2. Reducing your exposure to chemicals
3. Know your plastics
4. BPA (Bisphenol A)
5. Air conditioning
6. Air pollution
7. Heavy metals: cadmium, lead and mercury
8. Electromagnetic waves (EMWs)
9. Medications
10. Related pages

Overview

We are becoming more aware of our impact on the environment, but seldom think about how this affects our ability to conceive. Everything is connected. The plastics that pollute our oceans also affect our hormones, causing infertility. Understanding how our environment affects our fertility will also help you to understand how it affects Nature. We are a part of Nature — if we damage Nature, we damage ourselves.

Related reading: for a deeper look at the most-studied class of environmental fertility toxins — BPA, phthalates and microplastics — see my blog post Endocrine disruptors: how plastics harm fertility.

Reducing your exposure to chemicals

Our bodies are surrounded by around 80,000 chemicals — from fragrances in soaps, shampoos and perfumes, to make-up, cleaning products and sanitary products such as tampons. Unknowingly this affects our health and fertility. Limit chemicals in your home and on your body. For example, it’s best to have natural flooring rather than carpets (which contain stain-repellent chemicals).

Chemicals that damage female fertility

• 8-prenylnaringenin
• Aniline
• Anthraquinones
• BPA
• BPS
• DDE
• DDT
• Deoxymiroestrol
• Dibenzofurans
• Hexachlorobenzene
• Miroestrol
• Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
• Organophosphates
• PAHs
• Parabens
• Particulate matter (PM 2.5)
• PCBs
• PFCs, PFOA, PFOS
• Phthalates
• Polychlorinated biphenyls and dibenzodioxins

Chemicals that damage male fertility

• Aniline
• APEs
• DDD, DDE, DDT
• Parabens
• PBDE
• PCBs
• PFCs, PFOA, PFOS
• Phthalates
• THC

These lists aren’t exhaustive — most of the 80,000 chemicals in our environment have yet to be tested on human reproductive health.

Know your plastics

The use of plastics is a growing problem, not only for the environment but also for male and female fertility. Plastics are categorised by their content and recyclability, with a recycling symbol number on the product:

Keep all plastic containers out of heat and sun, as these release chemicals into food and fluids. Always try to buy foods that aren’t pre-packed in plastic, and use paper bags for loose fruit and vegetables.

BPA (Bisphenol A)

Bisphenol A (BPA) was first synthesised in 1891 as a synthetic oestrogen. It’s now used to make plastic hard, coat paper (till receipts) and to line the tins and lids of foods and drinks. BPA disrupts male and female hormones and has been linked to autism.

Products that may contain BPA:

• Plastic cups, cooking utensils and dishes
• Plastic knives, forks and chopsticks
• Water bottles, cups and food storage containers
• Food processors and blenders (plastic containers and lids)
• Tinned foods (BPA is in the liner of nearly every tin)
• Takeaway hot beverage cups (BPA is in the lining)

How to avoid BPA exposure:

• Avoid plastics with recycling codes 3, 6 or 7.
• Avoid plastic water bottles. Use filtered tap water in metal or glass reusable bottles.
• Cover food with parchment paper rather than cling film or kitchen foil.
• Don’t drink hot beverages from takeaway cups.
• Don’t microwave or heat anything in plastic.
• Don’t pour hot liquids into plastic.
• Don’t put hot food into plastic containers.
• Reduce your use of tinned foods.
• Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel to hold and store food.

For more detail, see my blog post on endocrine disruptors and plastics.

Air conditioning

Most office or retail buildings are air-conditioned. If you know someone who sits in an office underneath an air-conditioning outlet, chances are they’ve been ill a dozen times. The old saying ‘Stay out of draughts or you’ll catch a chill’ is still very true. The cold weakens the body as it needs to use up energy (Qi) to keep us warm. Cold also slows blood flow, which affects the regulation of fertility hormones that move around in the blood.

A cold uterus can lead to unexplained infertility, endometriosis, adenomyosis and recurring miscarriages.

If air conditioning is set too high (warm), it can cause irregular thyroid function, excessive sweating (which loses Yin), agitation and irritability — which can affect the menstrual cycle.

Reducing your exposure to air pollution

According to the World Health Organization, over 90% of the world’s population lives in areas where air pollution exceeds safety guidelines. Air pollution affects the respiratory system — but it also affects fertility.

Exposure to fine particles (PM 2.5) from heavy industry, fossil fuel burning and car exhaust emissions (especially diesel) damages both male and female fertility.

Men exposed to air pollution are at greater risk of oxidative stress. Sperm are very susceptible to oxidative stress, which damages the DNA in the sperm head, causing chromosome abnormalities, an increase in miscarriages and birth defects.

Women exposed to air pollution have altered TH2 cell function, which may impact implantation and fertility. Road traffic pollution reduces female fertility, pregnancy rates and antral follicle counts (AFC).

Avoid walking next to busy roads, standing at junctions, using the underground (metro) system, or breathing in any type of combustion smoke (cigarettes, BBQs, fires). If you can’t avoid it:

1. Early research has shown that high doses of B vitamins — B9 (2.5mg), B6 (50mg) and B12 (1mg) — can reduce the harmful effects of air pollution.
2. Wear an air pollution mask with military-grade filtration.
3. Change your car for an electric or hybrid model.

Reducing your exposure to heavy metals

Exposure to heavy metals can damage both male and female fertility and cause birth defects. Heavy metals increase free radicals, which damage sperm and eggs, and affect implantation. It has long been suggested that at least half the cases of human male infertility of unknown aetiology may be attributable to exposure to heavy metals.

Cadmium (Cd)

Cadmium is a pollutant from modern industrial processes — burning fossil fuels and manufacturing nickel-cadmium batteries. It’s absorbed in significant quantities from cigarette smoke and shellfish (oysters). A single cigarette contains 2.8 µg of cadmium.

Cadmium targets the kidneys, liver, arteries and veins, and induces oxidative stress. Concentrations of cadmium in the ovaries increase with age and are associated with failure of egg development, failure to ovulate, implantation failure, early pregnancy loss and birth defects.

In men, the Leydig cells (which produce testosterone) are very sensitive to cadmium. It has a strong toxic effect upon sperm density, motility, viability and morphology. Zinc deficiency aggravates the effects of cadmium.

Lead (Pb)

Lead is found throughout our environment — air, soil, water, paint, ceramics, pipes, toys, batteries, ammunition and even some cosmetics. Much exposure comes from burning fossil fuels and historic leaded petrol.

Lead damages male semen, leading to reduced fertility, birth defects and delayed conception. In women, lead exposure increases the risk of miscarriage. Lead accumulates in bones along with calcium — during pregnancy, the baby takes half the mother’s calcium, exposing them to stored lead.

Mercury (Hg)

Even low doses of mercury decrease male and female fertility. Mercury is found in fish high up in the food chain — tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, lobster, Spanish mackerel, marlin, grouper and shark. A diet high in these fish reduces male fertility rates. Mercury is also in the air from coal smoke and acid rain.

High mercury levels reduce zinc absorption, affecting sperm production. Cattle in areas with mercury-contaminated groundwater pass it on through meat. In women, mercury affects lymphocyte and natural killer cell levels, causing immune-type infertility.

Electromagnetic waves (EMWs)

In today’s modern world we are constantly bombarded with EMWs — from radio, phone masts, wireless devices and so on. Research has shown a correlation between increased mobile phone use and reduced male fertility:

• Semen analysis of mobile phone users shows decreases in sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology.
• The more mobile phone use, the greater the damage to semen.

Possible mechanisms:

1. An EMW-specific effect.
2. A thermal molecular effect (too much heat from the phone around the groin area).
3. Susceptibility of Leydig cells (which produce testosterone) to EMWs.
4. EMW-dependent decrease in melatonin (an antioxidant), predisposing sperm to oxidative stress.

In women, mobile phones can affect thyroid function, causing irregular TSH levels — which may lead to infertility.

Men who use a laptop connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi for more than four hours a day can have significant decreases in sperm progressive motility, increases in non-motile sperm and increases in sperm DNA fragmentation — which can lead to infertility and recurring miscarriages. This is particularly relevant for men with desk jobs who also game in their free time. EMW levels are likely to increase with 5G.

Protect yourself by reducing your use of EMW-emitting gadgets, or by buying items that neutralise them (semi-precious stones such as tourmaline). I would recommend turning off your Wi-Fi router at night.

Reducing your exposure to medications

Most people are unaware that commonly used medications can affect fertility.

Painkillers

Painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol / Tylenol), acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, indomethacin) interfere with male and female fertility.

In men, paracetamol, aspirin and indomethacin reduce testosterone production, which affects sperm production. Paracetamol use affects male fertility by delaying time to pregnancy. In women, NSAIDs and aspirin have adverse effects on hormone regulation (GnRH), ovulation and fertilisation. Diclofenac is the highest inhibitor of ovulation compared to naproxen and etoricoxib. Paracetamol can prevent a woman from ovulating. Aspirin and NSAIDs can reduce melatonin production by the pineal gland by 75%, affecting egg and sperm quality.

If you have pain, acupuncture is very effective without side effects. You can also use topically-applied gels or balms. Always seek advice from your doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.

Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) taken one month before conception increase the risk of a baby developing a birth defect. Taken during pregnancy, SSRIs can increase the risk of the baby being autistic, having a birth defect or a speech/language disorder.

If you have anxiety or depression, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective at reducing these conditions without side effects, and can be safely continued through pregnancy. Always consult with your doctor first.

Antiepileptic drugs

Antiepileptic drugs such as sodium valproate can cause birth defects and increase the risk of the child developing autism. Consult with your doctor about taking sodium valproate before trying to conceive.

Statins

Statins can reduce levels of coenzyme Q10 in the body, which reduces sperm and egg quality.

Related pages

• Prepping your body for fertility (Ch 7)
• Stress and fertility: prepping your mind (Ch 8)
• Endocrine disruptors and plastics
• How to improve egg quality
• How to improve sperm morphology

My Fertility Guide