We are surrounded by pollution everywhere we go. Pollution comes in many forms and has a varied impact on our lives and health. It is common knowledge that exposure to certain harmful pollutants can affect your pregnancy or the baby growing inside. Can pollution affect your fertility as well? Come, let’s find out!
When we refer to environmental pollution, we are not limiting it to the pollution in the air caused by vehicle emissions or the plastics in the ocean. We are referring to everything including heavy metal pollution in the water tables, industrial chemicals in the soil, contamination of coastal regions by sewage discharge, manure run-off, and more.
The increase in environmental pollution and contamination in various areas has impaired the ecosystem and human health over the years. Research and studies show that such environmental pollution can have lasting effects on one’s health, affecting both fertility and the health of one's babies.
If this continues, it is sure to have severe consequences as the number of health issues and diseases increases. The impact is more severe among females than in males.
Environmental factors refer to the external factors that can affect one’s health. These are factors outside your control. Unlike your diet or physical activity, you have very little control over such environmental factors and their impact on fertility and overall health.
These environmental factors can interfere with the reproductive process and impact fertility. The various toxins and pollutants we come in contact with regularly can slowly disrupt the hormone levels and cause long-lasting damage to the reproductive organs. One may not realise this damage in the early stages as the symptoms are not visible or easy to identify.
These pollutants, more commonly known as endocrine disruptors, can affect the endocrine system, leading to fertility issues in both males and females. They can also affect post and pre-natal development.
Human exposure to such environmental pollutants is very vast and can happen in multiple ways. Many couples suffering from fertility issues may not have any identifiable cause. Such issues could be due to some environmental pollutants. Environmental pollution can also lead to diseases and health issues, which will interfere with fertility and pregnancy.
Today, we have various environmental factors that can impact one’s fertility. Let’s take a look at each of those factors and how they can impact fertility:
● Air Pollution – Studies on air pollution and infertility show that regular exposure to these pollutants can reduce fertility in both males and females. It can affect ovulation, and sperm health as well as cause DNA fragmentation, which at a later date can lead to many health issues.
● Water Pollution – Mercury is a common contaminant found in water, which is very dangerous to human health. It can be released into the water bodies through industrial wastes, and mining and is also found naturally in minerals. This mercury is absorbed by the fish, which reaches humans when consumed. Constant exposure to water pollutants can also restrict intrauterine growth, cause neural tube defects, or even cause congenital anomalies in the baby.
● Radiation – Exposure to high levels of radiation at one go or over time can damage reproductive organs and lead to infertility.
● Pesticides – A common pollutant found in water and the food we eat. Exposure to this pollutant can cause fertility issues as well as cause miscarriages and birth defects in the baby.
Exposure to toxins and reproductive health are closely connected. Here are some ways in which the above-mentioned environmental pollutants can affect one’s fertility:
The environmental toxins can affect the hormonal balance in a woman, leading to irregular menstrual cycle, which in turn can affect her ovulation and chances of conception. Constant exposure to air pollutants can lead to a delay in conception, and increase miscarriage rates and chances of stillbirths. It can also reduce the chances of successful IVF. This is because exposure to certain air pollutants can reduce the AMH ratio in the woman’s body and decrease the ovarian reserve.
Environmental contaminants can affect sperm quality, which is crucial for male fertility. Environmental pollution can decrease sperm count, motility, and viability, as well as cause sperm fragmentation and abnormal morphology. All these can lead to male infertility.
Exposure to heavy metals or other strong pollutants during pregnancy can affect the developing fetus in the womb.
Constant exposure to certain pollutants can affect both male and female fertility, thus increasing the time it takes a couple to conceive successfully. Air pollution and increasing heat can also increase the risks of conception and successful delivery.
Changing the environmental pollution levels overnight is not a feasible task. You can do the following to reduce its impact on your fertility:
● Limit exposure by staying indoors during peak traffic hours, as emissions will be high.
● In case of regular exposure to harmful toxins at work, talk to a doctor and identify the safety limit. Once you reach the safety limit of exposure, ask for a change in your job profile.
● Try shifting to a different location if the area of residence is highly contaminated.
● Check water and other consumables regularly for pollutants.
● Improve air quality by using purifiers and avoiding burning wood.
Environmental pollution cannot be eliminated completely. The best one can do is reduce their exposure to endocrine disruptors and adopt a healthier lifestyle to reduce the impact of such pollutants. It is also advisable to get tested for such exposure.
● BPAs, pesticides, parabens, and heavy metals are four of the most harmful pollutants that impact fertility, which humans are regularly exposed to.
● Environmental pollution can disrupt the hormonal balance and affect fetal development leading to miscarriages, stillbirths as well as birth defects.
● Research and studies are being conducted to understand the impact air pollution and mercury exposure have on human reproductive health. The research is trying to understand more about the specific pollutants and the extent of damage they can cause to human fertility.
