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 may 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

Typically, when we think about chemicals that are harmful, we may think of chemicals that are in the cleaning products that we use, or harmful pollutants in the air we breathe or the water that we drink, these we may be more aware of, and yet we can unknowingly expose ourselves to chemicals that are harmful.

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 impede havoc on reproductive wellness. In addition to recreational drugs, tobacco products and alcohol can also lead to addiction and are seen as a risk to a woman’s fertility. For instance, the link between smoking and its adverse effects on egg health has been well-established.[2] Also, research shows that excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to reproductive wellness. [3]  Even moderate consumption of alcohol can pose a risk that may hinder a woman’s ability to conceive and or give birth to a healthy child.  Additionally, alcohol consumption can create hormonal imbalance that can lead to adverse menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.[4]   

Counteracting the Effect of Toxins and Chemicals

What is the impact on reproductive wellness for chemicals that we touch, consume or unknowingly inhale? We encounter hundreds of potentially toxic products and substances daily: Our clothes, bedding, cosmetics, food and beverage containers, cookware, and furniture, among other things can expose us to toxins, even when touched.  Here are a few steps you can take to help minimize the adverse impact of the toxins we may 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, 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 deteriorate over time, and each time the garment is washed, a specific amount of them is disposed of as microplastics that later reach the oceans and rivers cycling back into the water we may drink. In fact, according to a recent report by the World Wildlife Fund, humans might be ingesting, on average, the equivalent of amount of a credit card 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