Impact of Toxins on Reproductive Wellness

Where Harmful Toxins & Substances Are Found

Harmful toxins and substances that affect reproductive wellness are a mainstay of life today, so excessively common that the adverse effects can go unnoticed. We may actively expose ourselves to some harmful chemicals, and then there are harmful substances that we adversely expose ourselves to by what we touch or consume and ingest. Additionally, there are environmental pollutants. All of these can have a profound and adverse effect on our reproductive wellness. 

Harmful Substances Affect Reproduction

When we think of harmful chemicals, we usually think of chemicals contained in the cleaning products we use, or pollutants in the air we breathe or in the water we drink, of which we may be more aware.

Chemicals like artificial food colorings, artificial sweeteners, trans fats and hydrogenated oils can disrupt and pose harm to our reproductive wellness.[1]  This is why eating wholesome, preferably organic foods can aid in reducing our exposure to harmful chemicals. 

Addictive & Harmful Toxins Impede Reproduction

Addictive and harmful toxins and substances can also impair reproductive wellness. In addition to recreational drugs, tobacco products and alcohol can also lead to addiction and are considered a risk to a woman’s fertility. For example, the link between smoking and its negative effects on egg health is well known [2]. Research also shows that excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to reproductive wellness. [3] Even moderate alcohol consumption can pose a risk that can affect a woman’s ability to conceive and give birth to a healthy child. In addition, alcohol consumption can create hormonal imbalances that can lead to negative menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.[4]   

Counteracting the Effect of Toxins and Chemicals

What impact do the chemicals we touch, consume or unknowingly inhale have on reproductive wellbeing? We come into contact with hundreds of potentially toxic products and substances every day: our clothes, bedding, cosmetics, food and drink packaging, cookware and furniture can expose us to toxins even if we touch them. Here are some steps you can take to minimize the negative effects of the toxins we touch. 

1. Minimize plastic use:  Some plastics are derived from fossil fuel byproducts that may contain harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and hormone disruptors.[5] These plastic chemicals can seep into foods and beverages, essentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals, ultimately causing harm to the reproductive system.[6] Plastics, posing as synthetic fabrics can also be found in clothing and bedding. Additionally, plastics that are not recycled end up in landfills and oceans, adding to overall environmental pollution. Here are a few suggestions to reduce plastic use in your everyday life.
   1. Consider using glass and metal containers to store your food and beverages.
   2. Read garment labels to find out what materials were used. If possible, choose items made of cashmere, cotton, silk, wool, or other natural fibers. Plastic-based fibers tend to break down over time, and every time the garment is washed, a certain amount of it is discarded as microplastics, which later end up in the oceans and rivers, and from there back into the water we might drink. According to a recent report by the World Wildlife Fund, the average person ingests the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of microplastics every week.[7]
   3. Consider using filtered water. Research shows that bottled water and other beverages contribute to plastic pollution, and plastic additives can also seep into your water or beverages. Instead, filter water at home and use bottles made of safer materials (e.g., steel or glass) to store and carry.
   4. Lookout for plastic in everyday items, like everything from dish sponges and furniture to children’s toys. Whenever possible, choose things that are made from holistic natural materials.

2. Reduce exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals: Our homes may contain hundreds of chemical substances that are in our household cleaners, cosmetics and hygienic products.  Here are a few suggestions that may help.
   1. Take precautions when using cleaning products, many of which can affect health in the womb for those that are pregnant or looking to become pregnant.[8]  Some household cleaners contain harsh chemicals. The best option is to use low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) cleaning products, or those derived from natural ingredients.  If this is not possible you will want to wear cleaning gloves and a mask to serve as a barrier to reduce or prevent skin exposure. If feasible, try to air out the room you’re cleaning to avoid inhaling any harmful fumes.
   2. Use natural cosmetics and safe hygienic care products. Typical products commonly contain dyes, perfumes, preservatives, or other chemicals, that can irritate the skin and disrupt hormonal balance. To check whether a product is safe, visit the Environmental Working Group’s online database “Skin Deep” database.[9]
   3. Remove insecticides and pesticides. Chemicals that are poisonous to insects and other unwanted organisms in your home can also harm you. Women who are pregnant or aiming to become pregnant will want to be cautious of this fact. [10]  Consider using natural organic insecticides and pesticides to eradicate pests and harmful organisms, like mold and mildew.
   4. Be cautious about dry cleaning.[11] Washing some garments and bedding in a washing machine is not always advisable according to the manufacturer’s standards.  Enter dry cleaning, which can remove stains and dirt by using a chemical agent on the fabric.  These chemical agents off-gas harmful substances that can adversely impact reproductive wellness. 

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Resources

[1] Çekici H, Akdevelioğlu Y. The association between trans fatty acids, infertility and fetal life: a review. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2019 Sep;22(3):154-163. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2018.1432078. Epub 2018 Jan 31. PMID: 29383942.

[2] Van Voorhis BJ, Dawson JD, Stovall DW, Sparks AE, Syrop CH. The effects of smoking on ovarian function and fertility during assisted reproduction cycles. Obstet Gynecol. 1996 Nov;88(5):785-91. doi: 10.1016/0029-7844(96)00286-4. PMID: 8885914.

[3] Gude D. Alcohol and fertility. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2012 May;5(2):226-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-1208.101030. PMID: 23162368; PMCID: PMC3493844.

[4] Kwon R, Chang Y, Kim Y, Cho Y, Choi HR, Lim GY, Kang J, Kim KH, Kim H, Hong YS, Park J, Zhao D, Rampal S, Cho J, Guallar E, Park HY, Ryu S. Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Risk of Early-Onset Vasomotor Symptoms in Premenopausal Women. Nutrients. 2022 May 29;14(11):2276. doi: 10.3390/nu14112276. PMID: 35684078; PMCID: PMC9182895.

[5] Huo X, Chen D, He Y, Zhu W, Zhou W, Zhang J. Bisphenol-A and Female Infertility: A Possible Role of Gene-Environment Interactions. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Sep 7;12(9):11101-16. doi: 10.3390/ijerph120911101. PMID: 26371021; PMCID: PMC4586663.

[6] Muncke J. Tackling the toxics in plastics packaging. PLoS Biol. 2021 Mar 30;19(3):e3000961. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000961. PMID: 33784315; PMCID: PMC8009362.

[7] Veidis EM, LaBeaud AD, Phillips AA, Barry M. Tackling the Ubiquity of Plastic Waste for Human and Planetary Health. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Nov 8;106(1):12-14. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0968. PMID: 34749307; PMCID: PMC8733533.

[8] EWG, Respiratory Risk Before the First Breath? Household cleaning products may affect health in the womb.  August 17, 2015

[9] https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

[10] EWG, How to Avoid Pesticides While Pregnant, November 27, 2017

[11] EWG, Dry cleaning chemicals hang around on your clothes, September 12, 2011