When Paul and I first got married, we got pregnant right away with our twins, Jacob and Isabelle. But unfortunately, they ended up in a miscarriage. Afterwards, I thought getting pregnant would be just as easy so we kept trying. But after months of not getting pregnant and taking pregnancy tests to hear doctors say I wasn't pregnant, I was shocked. Finally we did get pregnant with Mary but did you know there are ways I could have been hindering my own fertility because of chemicals?
Unfortunately, it’s inevitable to encounter certain chemicals on a
day-to-day basis. Whether it’s in the food you’re eating or the
air you’re breathing, chemicals are a part of our lives.
However, if you’re trying to conceive, you may want to take note of
a certain group of chemicals – Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
(EDCs).
Reducing your contact with EDCs and finding a reliable
treatment can help you overcome any fertility issues you may be
experiencing.
Here’s why.
What are EDCs?
Water, soil, air, food, and man-made components frequently contain
EDCs. These EDCs can disrupt various processes within our bodies,
including male and female reproductive systems.
Although some foods naturally contain EDCs, it’s very concerning
that nearly one thousand common household items also contain these
chemicals. From beauty products to plastic wraps, EDCs exist in a
whole host of products.
How can EDCs impact fertility levels?
EDCs not only have the potential to decrease the quality of sperm and
eggs, but scientists have further discovered they may also lower the
quality of embryos, as well. In the long-term, your children’s
health could be at stake.
Despite the majority of us having EDCs within our bodies to some
extent, research has found that people struggling to get pregnant
have higher
levels of these chemicals.
Additionally, EDCs can impact couples who have turned to other
solutions to try and conceive. The higher the level of EDCs in their
bodies, the lower
the chance of methods like IVF working.
How do EDCs work?
Estrogen (the female hormone) and testosterone (the male hormone) are
mimicked or blocked by EDCs. Consequently, this decreases the quality
of eggs and may damage DNA contained within sperm. Additionally, it
may decrease the chances of conception, induce early menopause,
increase the risk of miscarriage, and alter hormone levels.
Parabens are a common group of EDCs found in food and cosmetic
products. Others include bisphenols which are in plastic, tin cans,
and sales receipts, and phthalates which add flexibility and
durability to plastics.
As we previously noted, EDCs can occur naturally. This includes in
foods like soybeans and flax seeds. These can mimic estrogen because
they contain phytoestrogen; however, these foods aren’t considered
harmful because a vast amount would need to be consumed before it had
a negative impact.
How Can You Avoid EDCs?
Thankfully, there are several different ways you can avoid EDCs if
you want to boost your health or if you’re trying to get pregnant.
Start by being conscious about what you’re eating. For example,
washing your fruit and vegetables before eating it will help remove
any chemicals (i.e. pesticides) used in the growing process. Or, try
buying produce from organic shops or local farmers markets, as
they’re far less likely to contain high levels of these chemicals.
Look at what your food packaging contains. The packaging for canned,
pre-packaged, or processed foods tend to contain significant amounts
of EDCs, which are often absorbed into the food you’re eating.
Equally, soft plastic gets its flexibility from plasticizers, so try
to opt for glass or hard plastic bottles instead.
Around your home, start using green cleaning products if you can.
Many sprays and solutions can contain harsh chemicals and are best
avoided. Try to let as much air into your home, as this helps
eliminate chemicals within the air you’re breathing.
Finally, be savvy when you’re buying anything that could contain
EDCs. Look at labels to try and identify if the items you’re buying
contain them. For instance, a lot of beauty and personal care
products will now advertise if they’re “free of parabens.”
A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way
While you can’t avoid EDCs completely, it isn’t hard to make a
few subtle lifestyle changes to significantly reduce your contact
with them. By being aware of the types of products that may contain
EDCs, you can easily start avoiding them and opt for more
natural-based products and packaging. This will help aid your
fertility levels while improving your overall health in the process.
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