The journey towards conception is often challenging and characterised by a host of things you have to be careful about. It is not just about your diet and how much you exercise, but also about your lifestyle and environmental factors. It is extremely important to be aware of environmental factors and toxins that could hamper your chances of conceiving. A lot of seemingly harmless everyday products could contain chemicals that could impact reproductive health, affecting both men and women who are trying to conceive. By understanding the most common toxins that could hinder pregnancy, you can get one step closer to a successful pregnancy, as long as you avoid or limit exposure to these toxins.
How Toxic Ingredients Impact Fertility
Toxic ingredients can disrupt fertility in multiple ways.- Hormonal disruptions: A lot of chemicals can interfere with the body’s natural hormones, causing imbalances that can impact ovulation, sperm production and implantation.
- Egg and sperm quality: Exposure to specific toxins can reduce the quality of egg and sperm, leading to issues with conception and increasing the risk of a miscarriage.
- Pregnancy complications: Some toxic ingredients are linked to birth defects, delays in development and miscarriages.
- Infertility: Some studies have revealed that women who have been exposed to specific chemicals have a higher risk of infertility.
Common Sources of Toxic Ingredients
You would be surprised to know that products you use on a daily basis can have harmful ingredients.- Personal care products: Several cosmetics like shampoos, lotions, perfumes and deodorants contain chemicals that could be harmful and get absorbed into your skin. Ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde are commonly found in these products.
- Household cleaning products: Harsh chemicals in products like detergents, fabric softeners, disinfectants and air fresheners can release harmful fumes that later get absorbed through your lungs or your skin. Many cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could affect indoor air quality and overall health.
- Food and drink: Processed and prepackaged foods contain a large amount of preservatives. These are found in canned foods as well. Food can also contain artificial colours and a high level of BPA (bisphenol A) from packaging. Additionally, non-organic fruits and vegetables often contain pesticides that could be ingested and accumulate in the body over time.
- Environmental contaminants: Factors like air pollution, and workplace exposure to contaminants like solvents and contaminated water, can lead to fertility issues. Exposure to radiation and industrial pollutants can also cause reproductive health issues.
Toxic Ingredients to Avoid While Trying to Conceive
Certain ingredients must be avoided or used in limited amounts if you are trying to get pregnant.Parabens:
- Found in: Cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, skincare products and deodorants
- Effect on fertility: Parabens can mimic oestrogen, which leads to hormonal imbalances that interfere with ovulation and sperm health.
- How to avoid: Opt for products that are labelled paraben-free and choose more natural alternatives.
Phthalates:
- Found in: Fragrances, nail polishes, hairspray, lotions and plastics.
- Effect on fertility: Phthalates are known to disrupt the endocrine system, which in turn lowers testosterone levels, reduces sperm quality and increases the risk of a miscarriage.
- How to avoid: Use products that are labelled free of phthalates, and fragrance-free products and avoid using plastic food containers.
Bisphenol A (BPA):
- Found in: Canned food, plastic food containers and receipts.
- Effect on fertility: BPA is known to interfere with oestrogen production, disrupt egg quality and cause implantation failure.
- How to avoid: Choose BPA-free products, opt for steel or glass food storage containers.
Pesticides:
- Found in: Non-organic fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy products.
- Effect on fertility: Pesticides are linked to lower sperm count, hormonal imbalance and an increased risk of miscarriages.
- How to avoid: Buy organic fruits and vegetables as often as you can and wash them thoroughly before consumption.
Heavy metals:
- Found in: Lead-based paint, contaminated seafood and some herbal supplements.
- Effect on fertility: Heavy metals like lead and mercury can harm reproductive function reduce sperm quality and impair foetal development.
- How to avoid: Limit or avoid consuming high-mercury seafood like swordfish and tuna. Test for lead in old paint and water sources.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Found in: Non-stick cookware, waterproof fabric, food packaging and stain-resistant carpets.
- Effect on fertility: Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reduced fertility, low birth weight and hormonal disruptions.
- How to avoid: Switch to stainless steel or cast iron cookware and avoid fast-food packaging with grease-resistant coating.
How to Reduce Exposure to Toxic Ingredients
- Read labels carefully: Look for products that are labelled organic, BPA-free, phthalate-free and paraben-free. Be cautious of ingredients like fragrance and “parfum.” Ingredients like linalool and limonene are also fragrance agents.\
- Opt for natural and organic products: Go for skincare made of natural and plant-based ingredients. Use non-toxic cleaning products.
- Switch to safer food and beverage choices: Prioritise organic fruits and vegetables to avoid exposure to pesticides and insecticides. Store food in stainless steel or glass containers to avoid exposure to BPAs. Also, filter tap water to get rid of potential contaminants.
- Improve indoor air quality: Use air purifiers to reduce exposure to pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, make sure that your home has a good amount of ventilation and avoid using artificial air fresheners. Even scented candles that contain synthetic fragrances can potentially negatively affect fertility due to the presence of (VOCs). Many scented candles are made of paraffin wax, which is a byproduct of petroleum. Burning this can release harmful toxins like benzene and toluene. Instead, you can opt for candles made of essential oils and soy wax.
- Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional: If you are struggling with fertility or trying to conceive, it is best to consult a doctor to understand how you can detoxify your surroundings and your body. Your doctor would be able to help you figure out what is causing your infertility, and if they suspect environmental contamination, they will test you for things like heavy metal exposure.
It is very important to be mindful of toxic ingredients to optimise your fertility and prepare yourself for a healthy pregnancy. You can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals by making informed choices about your personal care items, household items and food. Making small changes like switching to organic foods and using natural beauty products can have a huge impact on your fertility and reproductive health. If you take proactive steps today, you can create a safer environment for conception and have a happy and safe pregnancy journey. FAQs on Toxic Ingredients to Avoid When Trying to Get Pregnant
- How can I make sure my beauty products are safe and free of chemicals?Choose products from reputed brands. Brands that are transparent about their ingredients. Always look at the ingredient list before buying anything, and do thorough research on the ingredients. It is also important to understand that not all chemicals are bad, for example, chemicals that preserve a product can be helpful in preventing the product from getting spoilt.
- Are organic foods more expensive and hard to get?Organic foods should be easily accessible in most places, however, they might be slightly more expensive. You can make an informed decision based on your budget, in this case.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Smriti Gupta, HOD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital, Meerut
