Environmental Causes of Infertility

Can Common Environmental Toxins Affect Your Ability to Conceive?

In America today, one in six couples of child-bearing age has trouble conceiving and completing a successful pregnancy.  That's 6.1 million couples!  Although a lot of focus with infertility is on the female partner, studies show that approximately 40 percent of infertility cases are due to men’s sperm abnormalities such as low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape or decreased sperm motility.

As with most other conditions that have been on the rise, many of today’s infertility cases are attributed to poor nutrition, stress, eating disorders, intense exercise and exposure to environmental toxins.  In this report I am going to focus on a common, but not well understood phenomenon, and that is the toxic effect of environmental chemicals and pollutants, and how they can affect your ability to conceive and to carry a baby to term.

Common causes of infertility in women include:

 Endometriosis, a blockage in the fallopian tubes, severe anemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease, long periods of time on birth control pills, nutrient deficiencies, eating disorders (especially anorexia), hormonal problems, chronic illness, overly intense exercise, obesity, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins.

For men the common causes are:

Low sperm production and/or abnormal sperm, low sperm motility, steroid use, zinc deficiency, sexually transmitted diseases, poor nutrition, drug use, and radiation or heavy metal poisoning.

If you are experiencing infertility, get all the medical help you can.   Next, check out the common toxins that you may be exposed to, both at home and at work, and take steps to reduce your exposure.  Also, restore and nourish your bodies with good nutrition, therapeutic supplements, and stress management techniques.  And last but not least, detoxify your body of heavy metals, chemicals and other toxins that may be lurking in your body tissues.  By following these steps, you will go a long way in saving your reproductive health.

Toxins in the Work Place

There are several occupations that can be termed as "high risk" when it comes to reproductive health.  The following is a list of occupations and the risks they entail:

 Flight Attendants

Environmental Risk:  Radiation and increased gravitational forces
Observed Effects:  The risk of miscarriage nearly doubles

 Pharmacists, Health Care Workers

Environmental Risk:  Cancer treatment drugs (ie. Methotrexate)
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects

Dry Cleaning Personnel

Environmental Risk:  Solvents used in cleaning (ie. Methylene Chloride)
Observed Effects:  Infertility is three times higher in the dry cleaning industry

Medical Workers

Environmental Risk:  Exposure to ethylene oxide (used to sterilize instruments)
Observed Effects:  May cause birth defects in early pregnancy and miscarriage

X-Ray Technicians

Environmental Risk:  Repeated exposure to radiation
Observed Effects:  Affects sperm production and ovarian function

Environmental Risk:  Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects

Environmental Risk:  Pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons
Observed Effects:  Infertility, decreased sperm count, ovarian problems

Environmental Risk:  Numerous chemical and heavy metal exposures
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, developmental disorders

Environmental Risk:  Solvents used in firefighting

Observed Effects:  Hazardous to the female reproductive system

Environmental Risk:  Lead
Observed Effects:  Miscarriages, infertility and stillbirths

Environmental Risk:  Mercury vapors, nitrous oxide
Observed Effects: Greater risk for infertility, miscarriage

Operating Room Personnel

Environmental Risk:  Anesthetic gases
Observed Effects:  Reduced fertility and increased rates of pregnancy loss

Garment Workers

Environmental Risk:  Exposure to Carbon disulfide
Observed Effects:  Menstrual cycle changes

Environmental Risk:  Lead, mercury vapors
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, developmental disorders

Environmental Risk:  Solvents (ie. Tuolene) used in paints, glues and varnishes
Observed Effects:  Carcinogens that are harmful to the reproductive system

Environmental Risk: Video display terminals (computers)
Observed Effects:  Women exposed to more than 20 hours per week may be at a higher risk for pregnancy loss because of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

How to Detoxify your Body

If you have already been exposed to any of these toxins, or if you continue to work in a "high risk" profession, what should you do?  First of all, it is necessary to remove the stored toxins and chemicals from your body.

Toxic chemicals, metals and radiation poisons are stored within the tissues and organs of the body, and they are not removed through traditional detoxification methods, such as fasting. 

There is, however, a highly effective, simple, inexpensive, scientifically proven and safe way to detoxify your body using a natural substance from  the earth.  It is called EBN™ Detoxifying Bentonite Clay, and it has no side effects, is non-toxic, and does not require visits to a health care practitioner's office. 

EBN Detox Clay Baths are the simplest, most effective and least expensive way to remove metal and chemical toxins from the body – and it’s as simple as taking a bath or footbath.  Each 5 lb jar is good for 7 – 14 baths.

Supportive Supplements

Vitex Agnus-castus (chasteberry)

According to Dr. James Balch, vitex stimulates the ovaries to ovulate and normalizes progesterone levels.  In one study of 48 women taking vitex for 3 months, 7 women became pregnant and 25 women experienced normalized progesterone levels, which in theory helps to promote conception.  Women should take 400 mg of a standardized extract each morning.

Vitamin E and Selenium

Studies have shown that vitamin E is important to fertility for both men and women.  Vitamin E 400 IU with selenium 200 mcg daily shows pregnancies rise by 21%.

Buffered Vitamin C 

3000 mg or Vitamin C daily prevents low sperm count and sperm clumping, and is helpful for female infertility as well.

VitaPurity Buffered C Crystals help to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage. Vitamin C also helps to strengthen the walls of veins and arteries. It cleanses and flushes out toxins from your body.

Other Sources of Toxic Exposure

There are numerous sources of toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis, both at home and through our lifestyle choices.  The following is a list of exposures that are known to  have a negative effect on fertility and reproductive health:

• Tap water
• Cigarette smoke
• Marijuana
• Other illicit drugs, including cocaine
• Alcohol (even moderate drinking can affect fertility)
• Household cleaners
• Pesticides and insecticides
• Second-hand smoke
• Old microwaves
• Electric blankets or heating pads
• Red meats (they may have synthetic hormones that mimic the effects of estrogen)

12 Steps to Ensure Good Reproductive Health

1. Don't smoke.
   
   
2. Don't use recreational drugs.
   
   
3. Don't drink alcohol.
   
   
4. Avoid caffeine, including coffee, soft drinks, chocolate and black teas.
   
   
5. Use environmentally safe household cleaners and pesticides.
   
   
6. Use protective equipment to reduce exposures to workplace hazards.
   
   
7. Drink purified water to avoid chlorine and other chemicals.
   
   
8. Avoid junk food, fast foods, and chemical-laced food.
   
   
9. Eat organic meats, fruits and vegetables.
   
   
10. Get mild, daily exercise.
    
    
11. Take all reasonable treatments to remove toxins from the body.
    
    
12. Use supportive supplements.