When I first started this blog, I knew I would come in touch with many people going through their infertility journeys. From instagram and twitter I was able to connect more and more with the community and learn stories about the struggles people face. I began speaking with some people to better understand what they are going through. No matter how much we know about the science and our job, we never fully understand the struggles a patient faces. By reaching out and speaking with people, it helps us have a better understanding and to provide the best services we possibly can. It is a great learning opportunity for us.
A few weeks ago, I came across an instagram story posted by @fertility.seeker (Olga) and I thought I could share it with you. After getting in touch with her, I learned a little bit about her infertility journey. Her and her husband were both diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Every test they had completed was normal including genetic tests, but they were unable to conceive naturally. They first decided to try IUI which was unsuccessful. They then decided to move onto IVF and after 4 tries were finally able to become pregnant. They had to endure a lot of hardship but were eventually successful. Speaking with her a bit more, she explained to me how they had both made major changes in their daily lives as this was the only thing they had control over and could change. They started to eat healthier foods and reduce their exposure to toxic environmental products. After these changes, the quality of her eggs improved. With these lifestyle changes, along with their persistence and some help from specialists in the field, they finally achieved their miracle pregnancy. She now coaches women through infertility. She also has a podcast where she interviews women who are making a difference. Her journey is truly inspiring.
The whole process of infertility treatment can be a bit frustrating as patients feel they don't have much control over what is happening. Being able to take control over a portion of their lives which affects their fertility can make the journey a bit easier and eventually more successful. So I would like to share some of the changes Olga has made in her daily life, she posted a story a few weeks ago mentioning some chemicals that are best to avoid to increase quality of life which also could enhance fertility. I'll explain some of these chemicals here for you.
- One set of ingredients is butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) which are antioxidants used as cosmetic and food preservatives. There's evidence which suggests these chemicals are carcinogenic. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has also listed BHA as interfering with hormonal function. High doses of BHT can also mimic estrogen which can have adverse reproductive effects.
- Ethanolamines are found a range of products such as: cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaning products. The most common ones are MEA, DEA and TEA which have been linked to liver tumors, cancer and organ system toxicity. They also cause hormone disruptions and may inhibit fetal brain development.
- Formaldehyde is a gas which is used in making many household products. Dissolved in water, it forms formalin which can be used as a disinfectant. Formaldehyde is present in our bodies as a byproduct of normal metabolic processes. Therefore, a portion of formaldehyde can be broken down by the body. However, high exposure can be problematic. High exposure has been correlated with cancer. Formaldehyde is known as an indoor air pollutant which may cause spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations and premature birth.
- Oxybenzone is used as a sunscreen agent to block the harmful UV rays. Recently, it has been shown that it may have some adverse affects. It has been linked to irritation, sensitization, allergies and possible hormonal disruption. Also, it has been shown to cause birth defects in the first trimester of pregnancy, specifically Hirschsprung's disease.
- Parabens are one of the most widely used preservatives in makeup. Parabens can naturally occur in small amounts in certain food which are metabolized when eaten. When applied directly to the skin however, they are absorbed and not metabolized and enter the bloodstream intact. The mimic estrogen and interfere with hormonal function. There is some evidence that parabens may disrupt fetal growth of males. They have also been associated with cancer and increased skin aging.
- Toluene is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid commonly used as a solvent associated with paint thinners, glues, disinfectants, etc. In low to moderate levels, inhalation can cause dizziness, memory loss, nausea, etc. High exposure can have effects on the nervous system. Specifically if pregnant, toluene may cause retardation of mental abilities and growth of the fetus.
List of other chemicals that are best to avoid:
- Benzalkonium Chloride: a disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant
- Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients: a byproduct of coal processing used as a colorant and anti-dandruff agent
- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): a binding agent added to cosmetics
- Hydroquinone: a skin-lightening chemical
- Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone: chemical preservatives
- Phthalates: plasticizing chemicals
- Polyethylene Glycol: used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners and moisture carrier
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate: surfactants
- Synthetic Flavour or Fragrance: an engineered scent or flavoring agent
- Triclosan and Triclocarbon: antimicrobial pesticides
If you would like more information on any of these chemicals, feel free to contact me. There are also many more chemicals that I have not mentioned here which could cause issues with fertility and pregnancy. If you are interested in scientific research for each of the mentioned chemicals and their side effects, get in contact with me and I will provide them for you. These side effects are present when exposed to high degrees of these chemicals and may occur in some individuals whereas they may have less effects/no effects in others. Either way, it is important to be aware of the negative side effects specially in such a crucial time period such as trying to become pregnant and eventually pregnancy. Living our lives, it is difficult to avoid all of these chemicals as they are found everywhere but by being aware of their existence and adverse outcomes, we may be able to reduce our exposure.
