Environmental Toxins, Hormones & Fertility: What You Need to Know
When preparing for pregnancy, most people focus on nutrition, supplements, exercise and timing. While these factors are certainly important, another important (and commonly overlooked) piece of the fertility puzzle is that of environmental toxin exposure.
Modern life exposes us to a myriad of synthetic chemicals through our food packaging, personal care products, household cleaning products, pesticides and even the air we breathe. While it is impossible to avoid all exposure, growing research suggests that reducing our toxic burden may help to support reproductive health and hormone balance. (1, 5)
What Are Environmental Toxins?
Environmental toxins are substances present in our environment that may negatively affect human health. Of particular concern are a group of chemicals known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
EDCs can interfere with the body's natural hormone signalling by mimicking, blocking or altering the action of hormones. Because hormones regulate everything from ovulation and menstrual cycles to sperm production and embryo development, disruptions to these systems may affect fertility and reproductive health. (1, 5)
Common Sources of Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals
Many endocrine disruptors are now widespread in modern environments.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is commonly found in:
Plastic food containers
Food can linings
Thermal receipts
Some water bottles
BPA has been shown to possess oestrogen-like activity that may interfere with reproductive hormone signalling. Research has linked BPA exposure with reduced fertility, poorer IVF outcomes and reproductive dysfunction. (1, 3)
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible and are frequently found in:
Artificially fragranced skincare products
Perfumes/parfums
Cosmetics
Food packaging
Vinyl products
Higher phthalate exposure has been associated with altered reproductive hormone levels, reduced fertility and poorer sperm quality. (1, 3)
Pesticides
Pesticides may be present on conventionally grown produce and in agricultural environments.
Research suggests certain pesticides may contribute to:
Hormonal disruption
Increased oxidative stress
Reduced fertility
Adverse reproductive outcomes (1, 3)
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent chemicals. They are known as "forever chemicals" because they contain strong carbon-fluorine bonds that prevent them from breaking down in nature or the human body. They are commonly used in:
Non-stick cookware
Water-resistant fabrics
Food packaging
Some cosmetics
Emerging evidence suggests PFAS may interfere with reproductive hormones and fertility in both men and women. (1)
Microplastics and Reproductive Health
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles formed through the breakdown of larger plastic products. They are now found throughout our environment, including food, drinking water, household dust and even the air we breathe.
Researchers have detected microplastics in human blood, placental tissue, ovarian follicular fluid and testes, suggesting that exposure is widespread. While research in humans is still emerging, laboratory and animal studies suggest that microplastics may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress and endocrine disruption, all of which are mechanisms known to influence reproductive health. (6)
Scientists are currently investigating whether microplastics may affect egg quality, sperm quality, hormone signalling and fertility outcomes. Although many questions remain unanswered, reducing unnecessary plastic exposure where practical may be a sensible precaution for individuals planning a pregnancy or seeking to optimise reproductive health. (6)
Simple strategies include avoiding heating food in plastic containers, choosing glass or stainless-steel food storage where possible, limiting single-use plastics and reducing consumption of heavily packaged foods.
Personal Care Products
Many personal care products contain ingredients that may contribute to endocrine disruption, including certain phthalates, parabens and fragrance compounds.
Recent research involving women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment found that greater use of skincare and cosmetic products was associated with lower oocyte maturation rates and higher miscarriage risk following fresh embryo transfer. While further research is needed, these findings highlight personal care products as a potentially modifiable source of exposure. (4)
How Environmental Toxins May Affect Fertility
Environmental toxins may influence fertility through several mechanisms, including:
Hormone Disruption
Many endocrine disruptors can mimic or block natural hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone. This may affect:
Ovulation
Menstrual cycle regulation
Ovarian function
Sperm production
Implantation (1,5)
Increased Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress occurs when free radical production exceeds the body's antioxidant defences.
Excess oxidative stress may contribute to:
Reduced egg quality
Impaired sperm function
DNA damage
Poor embryo development (1,3)
Reproductive Tissue Effects
Research suggests endocrine disruptors may directly affect reproductive tissues including the ovaries, testes and developing reproductive organs. Exposure during critical developmental periods may have long-term consequences for reproductive health. (3,5)
Epigenetic Changes
Emerging research suggests that environmental toxins may influence not only our own reproductive health but potentially that of future generations.
Epigenetics is the study of how behaviors and the environment can cause changes in the way genes function. These changes in gene expression occur without altering DNA itself. Instead they act as "switches" that turn specific genes on or off.
Interestingly, EDCs appear to be capable of influencing epigenetic programming. This raises the concern that reproductive effects may extend beyond the exposed individual and potentially affect future generations. (5)
Male Fertility Matters Too
Although fertility discussions often focus on women, environmental toxins can also affect male reproductive health.
Research has linked exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals with:
Reduced sperm count
Poor sperm motility
Increased sperm DNA damage
Altered testosterone production
Increased oxidative stress within reproductive tissues (1)
For couples trying to conceive, reducing environmental toxin exposure is a worthwhile consideration for both partners.
Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure
The good news is that small changes can meaningfully reduce overall exposure. The goal is not to completely avoid all exposure, after all that is almost impossible in the modern world! So, start with small, manageable changes and progress from there.
Store Food in Glass Where Possible
Glass containers can help reduce contact between food and hormone-disrupting chemicals found in some plastics.
Avoid Heating Food in Plastic
Heat increases the likelihood of chemicals migrating from plastic into food.
Choose Fragrance-Free Products
The term "fragrance" can represent a mixture of many undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates.
When possible, choose:
Fragrance-free skincare
Fragrance-free cleaning products
Low-tox personal care products
Wash Produce Thoroughly
Washing fruits and vegetables can help reduce pesticide residues.
Where budget allows, prioritising organic versions of heavily sprayed produce may further reduce exposure. See the Clean Fifteen™ and the Dirty Dozen™ lists by the Environmental Working Group for more information.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Simple strategies include:
Opening windows regularly, at least 10-15 minutes a day provides excellent air dilution.
Using exhaust fans when cooking or showering to pull moisture, smoke, and cooking emissions outdoors.
Regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter.
Avoiding all synthetic and artificial fragrances indoors. Swap these out for simmering homemade potpourri or diffusing natural essential oils.
Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals especially those with strong synthetic fragrance.
Support Your Body's Natural Detoxification Systems
The body already possesses sophisticated detoxification pathways through the liver, kidneys, gut and skin.
Supporting these systems involves:
Eating adequate protein
Consuming plenty of fibre
Staying hydrated
Supporting gut health
Including antioxidant-rich foods
Maintaining regular bowel movements
A Balanced Perspective
Environmental toxins are unlikely to be the sole cause of fertility challenges. Fertility is influenced by many factors including age, genetics, nutrition, lifestyle, medical conditions and overall health.
However, environmental exposures represent a potentially modifiable factor that is often overlooked in conventional fertility care. While we cannot eliminate exposure entirely, reducing our overall toxic burden may help support reproductive health and hormone balance.
The goal is not fear or perfection. Instead, focus on practical changes that reduce exposure where possible while supporting the body's natural capacity for resilience and repair.
References
Wdowiak N, Wójtowicz K, Wdowiak-Filip A, et al. Environmental Factors as the Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male Fertility. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024;13(7):1986. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/7/1986
Pizzorno J. Environmental Toxins and Infertility. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal. 2018;17(2):8–11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6396757/
Chiang C, Mahalingam S, Flaws JA. Environmental Contaminants Affecting Fertility and Somatic Health. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 2017;35(3):241–249. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28658707/
De Falco M, Favetta LA, Meccariello R, et al. Editorial: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Reproductive Health, Fertility, and Early Development. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024;15:1478655.
Rattan S, Zhou C, Chiang C, et al. The Epigenetic Impacts of Endocrine Disruptors on Female Reproduction Across Generations. Biology of Reproduction. 2019;101(3):635–644.
Bogdan Doroftei, et al. Microplastics and human fertility: A comprehensive review of their presence in human samples and reproductive implication. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2025 Vol, 303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118939.