Fertility and Environmental Toxins

There is so much to do when preparing the body for pregnancy.

If you are like me, maybe all you thought you had to do was “try”, or not. I thought all I needed really was to be off my birth control for a few months and start taking prenatal vitamins until we were ready and then BOOM. It would happen right? Imagine my surprise when we found ourselves unexpectedly pregnant, and then just as quickly, not. Once I got past the heartbreak of it I began diving into all things natural to see what I could do prevent that from happening again.

I read about changing household cleaners and cleaning up our diet. So, that’s what I did. I also started using essential oils to eliminate some chemicals used in anything from cleaning supplies to fruit wash to face cream. I became obsessed. A few other natural cleaning alternatives include white distilled vinegar, baking soda, chemical free detergents, and lemons.

To prepare for a pregnancy, it is advised to avoid a lot of chemicals and it can be difficult to navigate some.

Let’s begin by talking about some of the biggest culprits in the chemical world that can hamper our fertility the most.

BPA

You may have heard of BPA before, or rather seen it as “BPA-free” in products. Bisphenol A is a popular chemical that has been proven to cause many health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, liver toxicity, and most recently infertility. It is known as an “estrogen disrupter” and can cause changes to our systems biologically. Researchers have determined that women who have been exposed to higher rates of BP are at a high risk of producing fewer embryos during an IVF. This means they are also less likely to get pregnant because those eggs you do produce, may be abnormal. Even ladies who are trying to conceive without medical interventions are more likely to produce abnormal eggs. This will cause difficulty getting or staying pregnant.

Although companies are reducing the use of BPA or switching the product used instead, it is still alarming where it can be found. Products such as food storage containers, dishes, food and drink containers, such as canned foods, and even paper receipts.

Phthalates

Phthalates are considered a type of “endocrine disruptor”. They can be found in almost any product including your perfume, cleaning supplies, fabric softener, food containers, make up , and nail polish. Phthalates can affect your estrogen production. This will in turn affect the quality of eggs you produce, how an egg is fertilized, and even the lining of your uterus for an embryo to attach to.

Women who have high exposure to phthalates are at a higher risk of miscarriage, even before she knows she is pregnant. It has also been linked to higher rates of endometriosis. To reduce your exposure, you will need to clean out a lot of the products you are most likely using.

OTHER TOXINS TO AVOID

There are of course other toxins that can be harmful to you, especially while trying to conceive.

You can read more about what to avoid here. Download a copy of my 10 Things to do now to clean up environmental toxins in your life.

Kayla Begley, Health Coach

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.