When it comes to trying to conceive, there are so many factors that affect fertility; from our age to our lifestyles and, yes, even the products we choose to clean our house and wash our hair. Though there’s been some debate about exactly how much of an effect household chemicals have on fertility, many scientists do agree that there are certain toxins that can certainly make it harder to get pregnant. And for those of us who would do anything to see those two pink lines on a pregnancy test, the decision to avoid chemical products is an easy one.
But considering that there are so many myths out there about what chemicals have to do with our fertility, it can certainly be hard to know what to believe if you’re trying to conceive. Where do you start? Here’s the good news: These chemicals aren’t quite as scary as they might sound, but there are places where you can reduce the risk of harming your fertility just by making a few small changes in what you use around the house.
The way chemicals affect the body
Other alternatives to potentially dangerous chemicals
Now that you know the chemicals that are most harmful to your fertility, you might be ready to switch to chemical free products. There are a few easy switches you can make, such as:
- Install a carbon block water filtration system to help filter out PFAs
- Use glass water bottles and containers in the kitchen instead of plastic
- Ditch the Teflon and go for stainless steel or ceramic instead
- Switch to chemical free hair products without phthalates
- Pop popcorn on the stove instead of the microwave
- Use cleaning products with natural ingredients only
What’s most important is reading the labels and being aware of what products are coming into you home — these chemicals can sneak their way into more common household items than we think!
And remember: Your mental health is important, too, and it would be easy to obsess over all the chemicals you’re exposed to while trying to conceive. It might be impossible to eliminate every potentially harmful chemical from your life, though.
“Even with all the advantages I had, it was impossible for me to completely eliminate my baby’s exposure because PFAS are ubiquitous and invisible,” mom and science communications officer for the Green Science Policy Institute Rebecca Fuoco told the New York Times.
Don’t forget to ask your doctor if you hit a road block in your chemical-free fertility journey. That’s what they’re there for!
