How to Reduce Exposure to Environmental Toxins to Improve Male Fertility
Everyday environmental toxins are thought to be a major contributor to the oxidative stress seen in up to 80% of infertile men. In the United States, for example, only a small percentage of the over 80,000 chemicals registered for use have been analyzed for safety, much less for sperm safety. In other words, we still have a very limited idea of what our atmosphere might be doing to fertility.
Great, you may be thinking. So what am I supposed to do about that? Live in a literal bubble? Build an oxygenated fertility bunker sealed off from the world?
There’s no easy solution. The world has clearly gotten more and more inhospitable to fertility, and scientists still don’t have a great handle on why that’s true. So where does that leave us? You can’t know what’s unknown. Fortunately, over the past decades a few chemicals have been identified as especially lethal to fertility. So let’s take a quick look at those and identify what you actually can control.
Chemicals and Plastics
Phthalates are substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, and durability. They’re widely used in everything from cologne to laundry detergent to air freshener to vinyl and PVC. In Europe, some phthalates have been banned in children’s toys and personal care products, but they’re still pervasive in our atmosphere. More attention has been paid in recent years to these “micro-plastics”, which are increasingly found at toxic levels in the human body. Unsurprisingly, micro-plastics are a real fertility-killer. Phthalates especially disrupt hormones, which can lead to genital malformations in baby boys exposed during pregnancy. Most men living in populated areas have been exposed to enough phthalates to cause DNA damage in sperm, as well as lower sperm count and quality. Higher phthalate levels have also been linked to lower testosterone and hormone imbalances. In one study of 500 couples trying to conceive, the men with the highest levels of phthalates in their bodies were 20% less likely to impregnate their partners.
The danger is clear, but fortunately there are at least some steps you can take to protect yourself.
First, get any vinyl or PVC out of the house. You may have some PVC pipes buried in the walls or floors, and you likely can’t do much about that, at least not in the short term, but the risk of those hidden pipes is likely minimal – unless they carry your water supply….
Water Filters
Second, get yourself a water filter. Even if you don’t have PVC pipes, your local water supply may. And that’s just PVC – you’re potentially drinking hundreds of other potentially harmful chemicals, but good water filter should protect you. Many different types exist at a wide range of prices. Some are installed under the sink to filter what comes from the tap, and others are stand-alone pitchers, or countertop machines, that you fill yourself.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters usually require installation but are generally your best protection against the widest range of harmful chemicals. They’re also effective against bacteria and viruses.
You’re probably most familiar with Activated Carbon Filters (Brita and PUR are two well-known brands). These come in both pitcher and under-the-sink models and remove chlorine, pesticides, and some pharmaceuticals, but they’re not effective against fluoride, bacteria, or heavy metals (we’ll get to those later).
There are other types of filters too, like plug-in countertop Distillation Filters, which remove almost everything harmful but work very slowly, Ion Exchange Filters, which remove lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, and UV Light Filters, which kill bacteria and viruses, but don’t protect against harmful chemicals.
So how do you make a choice? At the very least, get a Carbon Filter. These are inexpensive and will give you at least some protection. Your other options may be less immediately feasible, but if you’re handy around the house and take your long-term health seriously, look for a good Reverse Osmosis Filter. A brand called AquaTru actually makes a countertop plug-in version sold for about $400. I don’t have any affiliation with them, and there are other options too. A great place to get an overview is the Environmental Working Group’s online water filter buying guide (found at www.ewg.org). If that’s too much information for you, just be sure to look for RO filters that are NSF/ANSI certified (National Sanitation Foundation/American National Standards Institute). Finally, if you drink well water, ideally look at RO filters, but also add a UV filter for bacteria and viruses.
What else can you do to reduce your exposure to phthalates? Let’s step into the bathroom and look specifically at your shampoo, shaving cream, and deodorant. You may be devoted to one brand or another, but check to be sure they’re labeled “phthalate-free”. Odds are, they’re not. So change your brand. Some that sell phthalate-free products are Every Man Jack, Burt’s Bees, and Caswell-Massey, but there are several others. There are also phthalate-free soaps and laundry detergents. Start using them instead (phthalates, unsurprisingly, also compromise female fertility, so do this for both of you). Finally, if you love wearing cologne, for your fertility, bury that bottle in a drawer.
Bisphenol A (BPA) and Other Heavy Metals
BPA is another chemical compound that clearly harms fertility. Like phthalates, BPA is primarily used in the manufacturing of various plastics and is most often found in canned food, plastic containers, and even those shiny coatings on paper receipts (from now on, no, you don’t need a receipt). Studies show that higher BPA levels in the body result in lower sperm count, motility, and increased DNA damage. It can also disrupt male hormones by mimicking the effects of estrogen. We touched on this when looking at food, but you should avoid canned goods (or look for cans labeled “BPA-Free”) and store food not in plastic containers, but in glass or stainless steel.
The dangers of lead are more commonly known. Lead exposure has now been significantly reduced by regulation, but it’s still a risk to male fertility. Studies show that higher lead levels correlate with lower sperm counts and increased abnormal sperm. A good water filter will go a long way in protecting you from this. Ideally (especially if you live in an older home) you’ll also want to test your environment for lead paint. You can find lead test kits online. At the very least, try to make a habit of removing shoes when you come into the house. This will help limit any lead contamination from outdoor dust.
Like lead, you should be aware of other harmful heavy metals. (No, not Heavy Metal. Never stop head-banging.) One of these is mercury, which has clearly been shown to compromise fertility in women. Again, a good water filter should protect you, as well as avoiding fish typically high in mercury, which are listed in the chapter on food.
Finally, avoid general toxins like pesticides, weed killers, bug sprays, and industrial solvents.
Cell Phones
Research is still somewhat sketchy on this, but some studies have shown that electromagnetic radiation from cell phones can damage sperm. For whatever reason, this finding has been widely reported, and by now it’s likely that several random people have mentioned the dangers of cell phones to you. Again, research is still being done, but it does seem probable that prolonged exposure to cell phones (one hour of exposure in one study) can harm sperm count, motility, and morphology by increasing oxidative stress.
Even if these claims prove to be exaggerated, what have you got to lose by keeping your cell phone out of your front pants pocket, or even better, in a separate bag? This is one potential risk that can be easily avoided.
Iffy Lube
Sex while trying to conceive can sometimes feel pretty mechanical, especially when you’re scheduling multiple sessions, sometimes before dawn, in sync with her cycle. Not to mention all the stress and exhaustion that can come with trying to conceive. Long story short, the odds she’s using lube are good, and studies show that most lubes significantly decrease sperm motility and increase DNA fragmentation.
Search for a lube that describes itself as a “fertility lubricant” (Pre-Seed is one U.S. brand), which won’t harm sperm. It will likely be quite a bit pricier than standard lube, but go ahead and get some. She’ll surely appreciate that you’re paying attention and proactively taking care of things.
To recap, there’s a lot out there that you simply can’t protect yourself against, but damage from some of the more toxic chemicals can be reduced by:
- Avoiding plastic
- Getting a good water filter
- Swapping out toxic toiletries for non-toxic ones
- Keeping your phone away from the family jewels
- Getting the right lube if you use it
These 5 mini-steps are easy to implement and can make a big difference.
