As per the last year’s conducted research, sperm concentration in semen has been free-falling from 1.2% to 2.6% annually thereafter. And on average, it has been dilated from 99m to 47m, indicating the issues that men are encountering in conceiving.
Poor diet, alcohol consumption, obesity, or stress, these are some common factors that most men know, and it is definitely impacting sperm health. But, do you know, every day, chemicals are killing your sperm. As per the WHO, exposure to heat, chemicals, or toxins can change the motility and morphology of the sperm. It can significantly damage the ability to conceive.
But the question is, what chemicals and how you are get in contact with them.
Let’s find out one by one and understand everything, how everyday chemical killing your sperm, because Aveya Fertility Centre wants to create awareness amongst people, so that they can improve their health and fertility.
There is a mechanism behind the endocrine disruptors, as they cause problems through a similar biological pathway. Our body works on hormones, chemical messanges who tells body what to do. For example, FSH tells sertoli cells to nourish and support sperm, LH order leydg cells to produce testosterone, and many more. This entire cascade is known as the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Glandular (HPG) axis.
Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals impact the quality and quantity of sperm, which further causes issues in becoming parents. As per the research, men in the high quartile of endocrine disruptor chemical exposure show 1.6 times higher DNA fragmentation than others, along with oxidative markers.
This is not just one chemical; these are found in most of the things that we use in our daily lives. From shampoos to cookware, and impacting the sperm morphology altogether.
But, if everyday used products are induced with these chemicals, then how to protect your reproductive health? We will get into that, but first, let’s understand the endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are crucial to know.
As per the research, plastic contains over 13,000 different chemicals containing bisphenol A and its substitutes. It is a synthetic oestrogen which binds to oestrogen receptor in the body and triggers the effects that are not supposed to happen in the male body.
Where you can find these: These can be found in food and drink containers, inner lining of canned food, thermal papers, dental sealants, and reusable plastic bottles.
Now you must be thinking, should we end brushing too?
No, but taking precautions and reading the ingredients of the products is as simple as math, which you can do. There are several studies conducted, and all of them concluded that men with high urinary BPA tend to have inclined moitility and damaged Sperm DNA.
These come from a family that is used to make plastic flexible (softeners). And when you use plastics, they migrate from that and get into your body through the skin and nose while inhaling.
Where you can find these: PVC pedantic products, food packaging, children’s toys, vinyl flooring, personal care and grooming products like shampoo, hair gel, and some of the medicine are coated with these, as they are designed to dissolve in the gut.
It is directly liked with the testosterone and male fertility. It lowers the testosterone level, reduces sperm count, and damages DNA. A study was conducted in the USA on men, and it found that phthalates impact the hormones of men to such an extent that it just not only impact their fertility, but also become the reason behind their death.
Even doctors mentioned this several times, as pesticides and fertility have a direct connection, and this is also backed by studies. There is an enzyme, which is crucial for nerves to function, acetylcholinesterase, and this is disrupted by endocrine-disrupting chemicals. It also impacts the HPB axis, testosterone biosynthesis, and is linked to DNA fragmentation. One of the most used pesticides, called Chlorpyrifos, is associated with reduced sperm concentration and motility.
Where you can find these: Non-organic production, like spinach, bell peppers, etc, residential pest control, drinking water contaminated due to agricultural runoff, and in occupations like agricultural work, landscape, etc., are included in the list where they can be found.
They accumulate in soil, but these are such sibstance which never leave, as these are forms of chemical bonds like carbon-fluorine, and do not break down in the environment.
They are highly responsible for decreasing the sperm quality, lowering the percentage of motile sperm, and increasing morphological defects (abnormal shape of the sperm). They mimic the role of natral hormonal and block them, which directly reduces the level of testosterone and reduces the free androgen index, which are crucial for sperm production.
Where you can find these: You can come acorss in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, personal care products, packed food products, dust, personal care products, and in drinking water, particularly near industrial sites.
These are not new threats to humans. Over the past few years, several studies have mentioned that the toxicity of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury has become a threat. You should know these, as you might also come into contact with them.
Where you can find these: Lead slowly enters the bloodstream, and the major sources are construction, occupation, exposure to manufacturing, battery recycling, or cookware. We all know about smoking and its impacts. Cigarettes are loaded with cadmium, which destroys sperm quality. Men with a habit of smoking have higher chances of fertility issues.
This is one of the most common chemicals that is usually put on hair or beauty products to prevent them bacterail and mould growth. Although the protective products protect the skin from bacteria, once they penetrate the skin, they exhibit mild oestrogenic activity and behave like weak oestrogens in the tissues.
Higher urinary concentration of parabens is linked with decreased sperm motility, damaged DNA, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mimics the role of estrogen, decreasing testosterone levels. The reproductive concern centers on oestrogenic mimicry, affecting hormonal balance, which is necessary for spermatogenesis.
Just think, how much these are impacting your reproductive health, as you all are using these products on a daily basis. That is why it is recommended to start using paraben and sulphate-free products, as these are not just bad for your health, but also for your reproductive system.
Where you can find these: shampoos, conditioners, shaving cream, gels, deodorants, sunscreen, cosmetic products, processed food, frozen dairy products, and many more.
Where you can find these: This might surprise you, but the receipts produced by ATM machines, parking meters, and POS terminals are all thermal paper, and they are highly coated with BP A. All these are small and minor details; this is to remind you how these things are impacting your hormones and fertility, without knowing. These directly absorb into your skin and start playing with your hormones. Decreased sperm quality and quantity, and reduced motility, are some of the impacts that it usually has.
Those who are working as cashiers and in retail are at high-risk due to prolonged contact with these receipts. As per the studies, more than 90% of the thermal paper receipts contain BPA, and these are found in semen and urine.
You need to understand how chemicals affect sperm quality, BPA damages sperm, phthalates make male fertility hard, and many more. First of all, these endocrine disruptor chemicals impact sperm through three pathways: hormonal disruption, cellular damage, and epigenetic changes.
Most of the chemicals are endocrine disruptors that mimic or block the natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Once these are impacted, they interfere with the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis. These play a role in regular sperm production, so if these are imbalanced, how can sperm quality be maintained?
Your developing sperm need nourishment, but toxins directly damages te sertoli cells, which are responsible for nourishing your sperm. Not only this, but it also damages the Leydig cells, which help to produce testosterone, leading to structural damage in the testes.
Chemical triggers such as alcohol, smoking, toxins, and pollution can become a major cause of male infertility by inducing oxidative stress, and they overwhelm the body’s antioxidant defenses. DNA fragmentation and damage to the sperm outer membrane (fusion decreases the ability of sperm to fuse with an egg) are the result of chemical exposure.
Your everyday use of products which have chemical can alter DNA methylation and histone modification without changing the sequence of the DNA itself. And there are possibilities that you may pass down this issue to future generations, causing issues like transgenerational effects.
| What you have, Swap | Safer alternatives | Why it matters |
| Plastic water bottles | Choose stainless steel or glass bottles | HIGH risk
They are loaded with BPA ingestion |
| Non-stick Teflon cookware | Stainless steel, ceramic cookware, or cast iron | HIGH risk
They release PFAS, especially when heated |
| Personal care products that contain fragrances | Use a verified alternative, and it is best to talk to fertility experts like Aveya Fertility Centre. | HIGH risk
Phthalates and parabens are used in these products to increase the longevity and fragrance of these products. |
| Canned food products | Eat frozen, homemade, and fresh food | HIGH risk
Food contains BPA, which is obviously harmful to you |
| Tap water (especially in those areas that are at PFAS risk) | Use filtered but NSF certified reserve osmosis water (NSF ensures that the product is meeting strict public health, safety, and quality standards) | HIGH risk
Over the years, PFAS have accumulated |
| Plastic food containers | Stainless steel and glass containers are the best option | HIGH medium
When in contact with heat, Phthalates and BPA leach |
| Fast food, microwave popcorn bags | Choose some unwrapped alternatives | HIGH medium
These are coated with PFAS grease- resistant |
| Paraben-containing products | Choose paraben-free certified products.
Make sure to read the ingredients of the products, as it will help you to know. |
HIGH medium
Cumulative oestrogenic effect |
Think of it like you burned your hand, and to protect yourself, you started to take precautions and stayed away from those things that can worsen the situation. Just like that, a man’s body works on a 72-day cycle, where it creates new sperm after every 72 days. It doesn’t matter whether this month you get involved in some work that is stressful, expose yourself to chemicals, etc. If you choose healthy habits and stay away from toxins and toxins, then in the next cycle, you can improve your sperm’s morphology.
Might sound complicated, let’s understand the realistic timeline based on the sperm production cycle-
Note: 72-day rule is actually empowering and can improve the quality of the sperm if a man improves his lifetstyle stay away from toxins, eats a clean diet, and ensures to indulge in activities which are beneficial for his health. You can also clear your confusion with Aveya Fertility Centre so that you get to know better about what actually matters.
First, understand that a semen analysis test does not count or measure the range of chemicals; instead, it counts sperm cunt, morphology, and motility. If you are working with an industry who work with chemical exposure, then you should definitely talk to the fertility expert and go for a test.
And if you are not working in such an environment and facing issues like difficulty in conceiving even after unprotected intercourse, then you should visit a doctor. Centres like Aveya Fertility Centre are highly classified in helping couples to know the core reason for the situation and helping them to get their desired results.
Globally, the sperm count of men has been dropping significantly over the past 5 decades. Because over the years, the lifestyle, eating habits, stressful life, exposure to chemicals everyday amd other factors are impacting their ability to have a good quality sperm. Chemical factors are not the only trend which the driving this state, but definitely the most concerning factor, especially to those who are working in such an environment. One of the biggest examples of damaged sperm DNA and motility is the case of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Due to the chemical, children exposed to radiation were born with disabilities or some major issues.
Your case is nothing like that, but yes, it is impacting your reproductive health. Over time, these chemicals started to decline your fertility and lead to issues where you have to visit a fertility expert. That is why early precaution is necessary, as it can help you protect your fertility.
Our modern environment is filled with threats that directly and indirectly impact male and female fertility. However, taking care of your sperm health begins with making deliberate and incremental changes in your lifestyle, for instance, by changing your food containers from plastic containers to glass containers, ensuring you wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and using non-chemical-based personal care products. Although making deliberate and incremental changes in your lifestyle is a great way of addressing your sperm health, addressing male infertility issues can be a complex process for which you may need medical assistance.
This is where Aveya Fertility Centre can help you immensely. Aveya Fertility Centre is a renowned medical service provider for addressing human reproductive issues. Aveya Fertility Centre understands the significant, growing, and complex impact of environmental toxins on male infertility. Are you worried about your sperm health? Are you having problems conceiving a child? Aveya Fertility Centre can help you understand your condition better with the best medical assistance:
Your reproductive health is a direct reflection of your overall vitality. So, rather than sitting at home and thinking about it. It is better to get guidance from an expert who values your concern and guide your properly.