According to a recent study, researchers have found microplastics in human testicles—in significant quantities. This raises eyebrows all across the world and poses an obvious but worrisome question—is this the reason behind rising infertility cases globally? Does it cause reproductive health issues in men? Join us as we understand if microplastics affect male fertility levels and how we can reduce our exposure to them.
What are microplastics?
Before we proceed any further, what are microplastics? Microplastics are simply small pieces of plastic which originate from larger pieces or other smaller units of plastic.
Microplastics in general have two types: primary and secondary. Simply put, primary microplastics are those that are produced as microparticles from the get go. For example, items such as plastic beads in face washes, cosmetics, toothpastes or polyester microfibers in clothing.
The other type of microplastics known to us is secondary microplastics. These are often derived from larger pieces of plastic. For example, if you use a plastic chopping board in your kitchen to cut the greens, the small plastic particles shaved while cutting the vegetable against the board would be called secondary microplastics. These are often invisible to the naked eye and can sneak into items of daily use, including our food.
The study from researchers at the University of New Mexico shows how they discovered more than 12 varieties of plastics when studying the samples of human and canine testicular tissues. In addition to this, upon further inspection, the researchers were able to derive a direct correlation between high levels of microplastics present in the tissue and reduced sperm count in humans. This is particularly alarming as global fertility is declining continuously, with 1 in 6 people facing troubles conceiving. In fact, according to the Office For National Statistics, the total fertility rate (TFR) per woman decreased to 1.49 in 2022 and has been declining since 2010.
Do they really affect our fertility?
How do microplastics affect our fertility? When we look at the study in context, the amount of microplastics found in human testicles was three times more than those that were found in other canine testicle samples like dogs. The presence of these microplastics leads to high exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates. These chemicals are notorious for interfering with the body's hormonal balance, thereby impacting reproductive abilities.
Another way in which microplastics affect fertility is by physically causing potential barriers in testicles—which affects spermatogenesis (production of sperm development). The presence of microplastics can also cause inflammation and oxidative stress on reproductive cells and can act as a mode of transportation for harmful chemicals and environmental toxins, all of which can severely affect fertility levels in humans.
The researchers in this study also found that the type of plastic found in testicles can also have an effect on your reproductive abilities. Plastics like PVC and polyethylene contain carcinogens, long-term exposure to which deteriorates sperm health, can increase risk of developing cancer, and also cause cellular damage. While all that was a bit mouthful, it just goes to show how much of an effect plastics have on our ability to reproduce.
So, is there a way to improve our fertility and reduce our exposure to microplastics?
How to Reduce Exposure to Microplastics and Improve Fertility
While there are some factors outside of our control that can result in increased exposure to microplastics, there are certain steps that we can take to avoid this and improve our fertility.
Firstly, it is important to take steps to reduce dependency on plastic products. Simple changes such as using glass containers to store food and opting to refill stainless steel water bottles can make a difference. This will reduce the consumption of microplastics that are invisible to the naked eye. It is also prudent to opt for sandwich bags made of biodegradable recycled materials and decrease the use of single-use plastics.
Another way to reduce exposure to microplastics is to consume fresh produce and avoid processed foods, although this may feel like more of a sacrifice! Most processed foods available to us these days use plastic packing and treatments as a part of their packaging process to increase shelf life. Choosing to opt for organic items which are not chemically treated with preservatives can reduce your exposure to microplastics.
Adding on to the above, you would be surprised to know that our air and water also contains microplastics. Using air purifiers to filter out microplastics accumulated in household dust, and water filters to purify tap water can lead to less chance of unwanted microplastics accumulation in the body.
Collectively, these changes can help to reduce your interactions with microplastics, thereby reducing any potential risks of impaired fertility. But what needs to be understood is that your fertility is not solely dependent on microplastics—quite a number of factors can affect your reproductive abilities. That's why, when trying to conceive a child, ensuring that you and your partner are in prime health and seeing microplastics as one part of a much larger picture can be beneficial.
Microplastics and Your Fertility
Microplastics are not just harmful for our bodies, but for the environment as well. Due to the slow degradation of plastics as a material, microplastics have become a contributor to environmental pollution.
While we have understood how microplastics affect our fertility levels, if you wish to take preventive measures and get your fertility checked, seeking advice from an IVF clinic in London that offers fertility tests can be a good place to start. These tests allow you to diagnose any underlying issues—microplastic-related or otherwise—that may become a barrier to your dream of expanding your family. Fertility clinics in London offer bespoke treatment options and have experienced medical professionals who can guide both you and your partner on how to navigate getting pregnant. And even if you aren't ready to start a family yet, a fertility test is a great option to make sure everything is alright with your reproductive health and give you peace of mind for the future.
