The Role of Hormone-Disrupting Toxins in Fertility

There are thousands of different kinds of toxins in our environment. Each day, we are exposed to hundreds of toxins, several of which can have a negative impact on our health.

The Role of Hormone-Disrupting Toxins in Fertility

One class of toxins called hormone disruptors, or endocrine disruptors, can play a large role in causing problems with fertility and reproductive health. In this article, we will discuss the following issues regarding hormone disruptors:

• Where these types of toxins occur

• Ways to reduce your exposure to these toxins

• How to improve your body’s ability to eliminate these toxins

Overview of Hormone Disruptors

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), is a non-profit environmental protection group that has a wealth of research on different toxins that impact fertility and health in general. They have published the following list of the 12 most common hormone-disrupting chemicals:

• Bisphenol A (BPA)

• Dioxin

• Atrazine

• Phthalates

• Perchlorate

• Fire retardants

• Lead

• Mercury

• Arsenic

• Per fluorinated chemicals (PFCs)

• Organophosphate pesticides

• Glycol ethers

We are exposed to the majority of these chemicals daily. Some are easier to avoid than others. Common places where these toxins can be found include foods, lotions, makeup, soaps and detergents, household cleaning products, yard-care products, food-storage containers, and the water supply. This list is not meant to make you panic, but to increase your awareness of the chemical exposures that you can minimize.

How do these toxins cause hormonal problems?

Some of these chemicals bind to the same cellular receptors that your hormones bind to. This “tricks” your body into “thinking” that you have either more or fewer circulating hormones than you actually have, disrupting metabolic processes that depend on hormonal balance. Other hormone-disrupting chemicals increase or decrease the amounts of certain hormones that your body secretes. Still others mimic the function of the hormones. The main concern with all these compounds is that the levels of certain hormones will change in your body, and this can lead to changes in menstrual cycle, impair the ability of the thyroid to function properly, and impact how the body responds to stress. Some of these compounds are linked to specific conditions that reduce reproductive ability. For example, phthalates are associated with endometriosis, which adversely impacts a woman’s ability to conceive. Hormone disruptors have also been linked to breast and reproductive cancers, early puberty, heart disease, obesity, concerns with both egg and sperm quality as well as other conditions.

Laboratory tests are available to determine the levels of various hormone-disrupting chemicals in your body.

For example, to test for such toxic metals as lead and mercury, the best assessment is a pre- and post-provocation urinalysis. This test involves collecting a sample of urine first thing in the morning, then taking a so-called provoking agent (such as dimercaptosuccinic acid-DMSA), and six hours later collecting a second urine sample. Analysis of the first urine sample reveals if you have current ongoing exposures to toxic metals. Analysis of the second urine sample indicates how much toxic metal is stored in your tissues. If high concentrations are detected, you should get detoxification treatment before trying to conceive. This is especially important with lead, which is mainly stored in bone. During pregnancy, due to your body’s heavy use of calcium, you experience rapid turnover of bone tissue. If there are high levels of lead in your bones, this toxin can pass directly through the placenta to your growing baby.

There are also tests available for other toxic chemicals, including pesticides, insecticides, and plastic compounds. To learn more about this testing, you should consult your health provider.

Minimizing Exposure to Toxins

Toxins are so ubiquitous in the environment that you can never completely eliminate your exposure to them. You can, however, take actions to minimize your exposure and encourage your body to eliminate and excrete the toxins instead of storing them. The following focuses on three toxic compounds from the EWG list that are relatively easy to avoid yet can have significant impact on fertility. These compounds are BPA, phthalates, and mercury.

BPA

BPA is a chemical compound that is used to make epoxy resins, which are found in some food-storage containers, and polycarbonates, which are found in many items made of hard plastic. Inside the body, BPA imitates estrogen. One study detected BPA in 9 out of 10 samples of umbilical cord blood, so we know it passes through the placenta to the baby. Ways to minimize exposure to BPA include:

• Use fewer canned foods and use more fresh foods, because most metal-lined food containers contain BPA. Note, however, those food products that are labeled “BPA-free.”

• Avoid hard-plastic food containers, especially those with labels indicating polycarbonate (PC) or recycling symbol 7. These items often contain BPA.

• Never microwave food in plastic containers. The heating of plastic can cause BPA to leach into the food.

• If you don’t need receipts with your purchases, avoid taking them. The thermal paper used in register machines is often coated with BPA.

BPA has been widely recognized as a hormone disruptor, and policies have been enacted in Canada and the United States to remove this substance from a variety of products, including baby bottles. Studies have shown a dose dependant effect of BPA in both men and women with impact on reproduction. Some manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to remove BPA from their plastic products, and such products are usually labeled “BPA-free”.

Phthalates

Phthalates are one of the most serious concerns when it comes to reproductive health. These chemicals have been linked to thyroid irregularities, diabetes, lower sperm counts and less mobile sperm.

To reduce your exposure to phthalates, look at the ingredients in your personal care products. Phthalates are usually listed in the ingredients as “fragrance.” You will also find these chemicals in most plastic food containers, some children’s toys, and plastic wrap made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or labeled with recycling symbol 3. Phthalates have been banned from some children’s products.

A great resource for checking the toxicity of your personal care products is the EWG page titled “EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database,” which can be found at www.ewg.org/skindeep.

Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that is toxic to human health. Mercury exposure can have a major impact on reproduction because it binds directly to hormones regulating the menstrual cycle and ovulation. This interferes with proper hormonal signaling. Mercury gets into the air and water from many different activities, including emissions from coal-fired power plants. Our most common exposure to mercury is through the consumption of larger fish. Tuna and swordfish have some of the highest levels of mercury. Therefore, you should avoid eating these fish when pregnant or trying to conceive.

Nutrients and hormone disruptors

Most of the research specifically around fertility and hormone disruptors shows a dose dependant effect. The higher the exposure the higher the negative impact. For example, when we look at research on BPA and sperm health they found all men had some BPA in their sperm but men with the highest amounts also had lower counts and concerns with morphology and DNA fragmentation. There is research in China that has linked higher concentration of phthalates to primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause).

On a positive note there is more research coming on the positive impact that some nutrients can have on negating some of the negative impact that these toxins can have on reproduction.

There is research showing omega 3 fatty acids from fish can reduce pollutant induced inflammation.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has been shown to minimize the harmful effects of BPA on both egg and sperm health and DNA replication. Also so great research on CoQ10 for BPA and phthalates as well.

The Body’s Elimination of Toxins

Although we cannot completely avoid exposure to all toxins, our bodies have natural ways of eliminating at least some of the toxins to which we are exposed. One of the most effective ways is sweating. Sweating can best be promoted through exercise or through use of a sauna. Ideally, if you are going to use a sauna, do so after exercise. During exercise, your body will use its stored glycogen, or sugar, reserves. Once you have used up these sugars, your body will start burning fat as a fuel source. Many of the hormone-disrupting chemicals get stored in your fat cells. So, when you start using fat as a fuel source, some of those toxins will start circulating. The more you are sweating, the more these toxins will get eliminated through your sweat.

Keep in mind that with prolonged sweating, you need to ensure that you rehydrate properly to keep your electrolytes balanced. Make sure that you drink enough water to keep your urine pale yellow to clear. Furthermore, ensuring proper hydration is crucial for your body’s ability to continually deal with the toxin exposures you are bombarded with daily.

The body’s other routes of detoxification include the digestive system, liver and kidney functions, and lymphatic activity. These routes can be optimized by certain behaviors. In terms of digestive health, it is important to have at least two bowel movements daily. Movements should be easy to pass, in a log shape, and not contain blood or mucous. If this is not the way your digestive system is currently working, you might have foods in your diet that are creating inflammation in your digestive system and, potentially, in the rest of your body.

Certain foods promote digestive detoxification. For example, root vegetables—including beets, sweet potatoes, yams, and parsnips—will assist the liver in functioning more efficiently. Including these vegetables in your diet will be helpful in boosting your body’s ability to move toxins out.

Assignments

• Start reducing your exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals. Check the ingredients in your personal care products as the first step. Toxic products are easy to replace with non-toxic alternatives.

• Work on optimizing your routes of elimination. Perform an activity at least four days per week that makes you sweat substantially. If you have access to a sauna, try to use it on a regular basis. Careful with sauna use for men as too much heat can cause some sperm concerns.

• Remember that reducing the level of toxicity in your body will help to rebalance your hormonal system and improve your chances of getting pregnant.

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.

Sources

https://www.ewg.org/ Viewed December 10, 2018. ii Layne J, Majkova Z, Smart EJ, Toborek M, Hennig B. Caveolae: a regulatory platform for nutritional modulation of inflammatory diseases. J Nutr Biochem. 2011;22(9):807–811