Are you having infertility issues? You’re not alone. This is becoming a common problem among many couples trying to conceive. If you’ve never thought of the possibility of high toxin exposure, expert integrative family medicine doctors say it could be the cause. It’s important to know the signs of a toxic overload and what men and women can do to boost their fertility.
Toxins in Body and their Effects
Below is a list of different toxins; the ones in bold have been specifically linked to infertility (1).
| Environmental Toxins (Food and water) | Heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury), herbicides, pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, PFAs (Perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyls known as industrial chemicals), dioxins, other chemical compounds |
| Household toxins | asbestos, BPA, phthalates, radon, formaldehyde, other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) |
| Air toxins | Cigarette smoke, ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, black carbon mineral dust from power plants or vehicles |
Research from around the world found similar findings regarding infertility in men and women.
- Metals and chemicals in the air, water, food, health, beauty, or cleaning products are detrimental to fertility in both men and women. Toxic overload can give men decreased sperm count and function, while women suffer from a lack of egg release (anovulation), embryo implantation loss, and miscarriages (2).
- One study found that pesticides had a significant negative impact on male fertility (3). Pesticides were the result of increased sperm abnormality, lowered sperm count, and decreased sexual maturity.
- Specifically, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) acknowledged that certain chemical compounds can have adverse fertility effects in men and women (4).
- Synthetic chemical compounds and heavy metals were found to have a greater effect on male fertility than on female fertility (5). The production and development of sperm were found to be very sensitive to toxins.
Remove Toxins from the Body and Avoid a Toxic Overload
Avoiding environmental and air toxins can be impossible. Unfortunately, any toxins can easily cause damage to the female and male reproductive systems. One way to avoid a toxic overload is to first look at all of the products in your house and remove the ones with toxins.
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body and hand soap
- Shaving cream
- Perfumes and body sprays
- Body oils and creams
- Nail polish
- Make-up
- Floor cleaner
- Bathroom cleaners
- Weed killers
- Kitchen appliance cleaners
A good solution to avoid toxins is to buy organic and local products when you can afford to. You can start cleaning your home with essential oil and vinegar-based solutions that are surprisingly easy to make. Use shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other body products free of parabens, petroleum, sulfates, silicones, talc, and harsh preservatives. For example, one local lip care line founded right here in the Atlanta area that has carefully selected, chemical-free ingredients is Lipcials.
Another important step is to find out if you are experiencing mold toxicity. This is where you are being exposed to mold inside your home, work, or other areas you spend a lot of time in.
Toxic Overload
The most effective way to avoid a toxic overload is to find out your toxic burden. Book an appointment now with an integrative physician today at Atlanta’s CentreSpringMD, where we do medicine differently. Receive an in-depth consultation with one of our integrative providers who will get a detailed history of your overall health and wellness. Expect nothing less than expert medical advice and customized care and support from our team.
If you are struggling with infertility and are giving up hope, don’t suffer silently. The cause could be a toxic overload. Contact CentreSpringMD today to work with one of our integrative doctors for support.
Resources:
1. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/environmental-toxins/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396757/
3. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0960327113515504
4. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/rags_a.pdf
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1084952116300854
