According to Fertility and Sterility from May 2019, “reproductive health is affected by exposures to environmental contaminants during critical periods of human development,” including during PRECONCEPTION.
Our daily lifestyles have constant exposures of environmental toxins that accumulate in our tissues.
They are called endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs, and they negatively affect reproductive hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.
These include pesticides (DDT, DDE), herbicides (like atrazine & glyphosate), plasticizers (BPA, phthalates), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dioxin-like substances (PCBs), metalloestrogens, and organic estrogens (isoflavones).
These endocrine disruptors (EDCs) can change gene expression and lead to abnormal embryos, which do not survive the IVF process.
Some of these EDCs are associated with fertilization rates and the number of good quality embryos in proportion to the number of eggs retrieved.
The study showed that because these endocrine disruptors are everywhere and increasing, you must reduce your exposure to them if you want to have a better chance of getting pregnant.
Start by drinking from plastic water bottles, saying no you receipts or asking the cashier to put them in the bag for you, look closely at your household products, skin care products, cosmetics, food processing, and avoid using herbicides in your yard.