The challenge of disposing plastics is a growing concern today. Our overreliance on this manmade material is causing major environmental problems. When disposed improperly, plastic breaks down and makes its way into our own bodies in the form of microplastics.
A 2022 report published in Environment International1 noted that microplastics had been detected in human blood for the first time. By April 2022, it was discovered “lodged deep in the lungs of living people.”2
Now, research highlights more places where microplastics accumulate within our bodies — the reproductive organs, and this may be contributing to the decline of fertility rates. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), 76% of countries and territories around the world will have unsustainable fertility rates by 2050. This means that populations will shrink.3
Microplastics Can Affect Male Fertility
In Dr. Kevin Pho’s podcast,4 Dr. Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, founder of the Montgomery Fertility Center in Rockville, Maryland, discusses how microplastics contribute to the declining fertility rates observed all over the world.5 From Famuyiwa’s research and medical practice, she noticed a steady decline in semen quality, and that men nowadays are less fertile than their grandfathers. Again, she suggests that microplastics may be the culprit.6
Famuyiwa’s viewpoint is supported by other research, too. In a study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, the researchers hypothesized:7
“It is noteworthy that an exponential rise in global plastic production coincides with a well-documented, population-wide decline in human sperm production which appears to be accelerating since 2000.”
Going deeper into their research, the authors noted that microplastic exposure contributes to lower sperm quantity and quality. They cited animal test models, which discovered that microplastics accumulated within the testes. From there, they noted that microplastics caused “localized stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and over-expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the testis.” Other reproductive issues were also observed, such as reduced testosterone.8
It seems that these findings are also present in human males (and dogs as well). Famuyiwa cited a 2024 study9 published in Toxicological Sciences,10 which investigated the prevalence of microplastics in male reproductive organs.
From a total of 47 canine and 23 human male participants, they discovered 12 types of microplastics in all testes. The mean total amount of microplastics was 122.63 micrograms per gram in dogs, and 328.44 micrograms per gram in humans. Polyethylene was the most prevalent microplastic type. They went on to conclude:
“These findings highlight the pervasive presence of microplastics in the male reproductive system in both canine and human testes, with potential consequences on male fertility.”11
Female Fertility Isn’t Spared by Microplastics
Unsurprisingly, microplastics can affect adult female fertility as well. According to collated research from animal test models in the Frontiers in Endocrinology study,12 microplastics that accumulate in the ovaries can lead to pregnancy-related issues:
“Ovaries of these exposed rodents have reduced weight, decreased expression of cytoskeletal proteins, and demonstrate altered follicle dynamics, with a reduction in the number of growing and mature follicles and increased atretic and cystic follicles.”13
For context, follicles play a crucial role in influencing fertility. According to the London Women’s Clinic, follicles are small, fluid-filled sacs inside the ovaries that secrete hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Hundreds of thousands of follicles are found in the ovaries, and this number starts to decline by the age of 35. Each follicle typically releases an egg.14
The Frontiers in Endocrinology study15 noted that accumulated microplastics in ovaries resulted in oxidative stress as well as disturbed antioxidant capacity. Proinflammatory signaling was also observed.
Another research group found microplastics in the placenta.16 Considered a landmark study by Famuyiwa,17 research published in Environment International18 noted that it’s possible for microplastics to end up in the placenta, potentially affecting the future health of the fetus.
The researchers collected six human placentas from consenting mothers and used Raman Microspectroscopy (a special method to assess chemical compositions of live organisms19) to evaluate the prevalence of microplastics.
Microplastics were found in all parts of the placenta, including the fetal, maternal, and chorioamniotic membrane sections. While the effects haven’t been fully explored yet, the researchers concluded that the presence of microplastics can negatively affect pregnancy and the outcome of childbirth:20
“Potentially, MPs (microplastics), and in general microparticles, may alter several cellular regulating pathways in placenta, such as immunity mechanisms during pregnancy, growth-factor signaling during and after implantation, functions of atypical chemokine receptors governing maternal-fetal communication, signaling between the embryo and the uterus, and trafficking of uterine dendritic cells, natural killer cells, T cells and macrophages during normal pregnancy.
All these effects may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.”
Xenoestrogens in Plastics — The Source of Infertility?
There’s also another important point brought up in the Environment International study I would like to emphasize — the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds in microplastics. The researchers noted that these endocrine disruptors “could cause long-term effects on human health.”21 And as you can imagine, one affected area is fertility.
Microplastics often contain phthalates, which can leach out of the material22 causing endocrine-disrupting effects. What’s more, phthalates are not the only endocrine-disrupting substance present in microplastics. Others include bisphenol A (BPA), flame retardants, pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS), so-called “forever chemicals.”23
This hypothesis is further supported in an evidence review conducted for California State Legislature in 2023,24 which noted that “exposure to microplastics is suspected to adversely impact sperm quality and testicular health in humans based on … high quality of the body of evidence.”
Another point I would like to emphasize is that plastics are xenoestrogens that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Most of their danger stems from the stimulation of your estrogen receptors. Phthalates, for example, have estrogenic properties, and have been implicated in other diseases as well. As noted in a study25 published in Healthcare:
“Human epidemiological studies have shown a significant association between phthalates exposures and adverse reproductive outcomes in both women and men, for instance, Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, overweight/obesity, allergy and asthma.”26
The reason for this is the abnormal stimulation of estrogen receptors, which promotes cell proliferation and can contribute to the development and progression of estrogen-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer27 and endometrial cancer.28
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics
Preventing, or at the very least minimizing, your exposure to microplastics is your first line of defense against estrogen overload. While that’s easy to say, it will require effort to implement, considering plastics are all around you — in your food, water, clothing, home, personal care items and even in household dust.
Educating yourself about different plastic sources and being conscious of them can go a long way to protecting you and your family’s health. Here are practical strategies to get you started:
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Filter your tap water and avoid water bottled in plastic — If you need to buy bottled water, opt for glass bottles. Also make sure the filter you use to purify your tap water can filter out microplastics.
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Boil hard tap water — If you have hard tap water, consider boiling it before using it for cooking or drinking, as hard water traps more microplastics. Recent research shows boiling hard tap water for five minutes removes up to 90% of the microplastics in the water.
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Avoid plastic packaging — Opt for products packaged in glass, metal, or paper instead of plastic. This can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that potentially breaks down into microplastics. At home, use wax paper, parchment paper or paper bags to store foods rather than plastic wrap.
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Use reusable containers — Replace single-use plastic bottles, cups, and containers with reusable alternatives made from safer materials like stainless steel or glass.
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Never microwave plastics — Heat can cause plastics to leach chemicals into food. Use glass or ceramic containers for microwaving.
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Avoid plastic cutting boards — Use a wooden or glass cutting board instead.
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Opt for natural fibers — Whenever possible, choose clothing and other textile products made from natural fibers like cotton, wool and linen, as synthetic fabrics such as polyester shed microfibers and leach xenoestrogens.
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Wash synthetic clothes less frequently — When washing synthetic textiles, use a microfiber filter in your washing machine to trap synthetic fibers and prevent them from entering the water system.
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Opt for food grade cosmetics and personal care products — Some cosmetics, toothpastes, and personal care products contain microbeads or other plastic particles. Look for products free of these materials. Ideally, opt for all-natural, food grade products.
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In addition to these strategies, there are other ways you can reduce your exposure to microplastics. For example, you can bring reusable shopping bags when buying groceries and bring your own glass containers when taking home leftovers. Avoid processed food as well, as they’re typically wrapped or sealed in plastic. Choose fresh, whole produce instead.
In cases of estrogen dominance, supplemental progesterone can be helpful. Progesterone is a natural estrogen antagonist and will counteract the adverse effects of excess estrogen.
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Via https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/10/03/how-microplastics-can-affect-reproductive-health.aspx
