Environment Pollution and Reproductive Health

Growing pollution in the environment affects our health and regular life. Diseases such as asthma, heart issues, etc. are now prevalent, but the new concern that has come to light is impact of pollution on our Reproductive Health i.e. infertility or fertility health.

Reproductive health represents a state of complete mental, social and physical well-being, and not solely the absence of sexual diseases or alterations. It includes all the reproductive functions, processes, and systems at all stages of human life.

It includes the ability to conceive, to carry a pregnancy, pregnancy quality and outcomes, pubertal effects, and adult reproductive health issues.

Infertility and reproductive health issues are growing concerns around the world. Nowadays the standard reproductive disorders are linked to Environmental Exposures.

Environmental Contaminants that cause Reproductive Health Issues

After World War II, we have witnessed a drastic increase in human exposures to both natural and synthetic chemicals. These compounds are very harmful to living organism health.

Here are some factors that are affecting your sexual health:

Conventional environmental pollutants:

• pesticides such as DDT(dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
• herbicides
• volatile organic compounds (VOC)
• heavy metals, for example, mercury, arsenic, lead, etc.

Air contaminants:

• carbon monoxide
• ozone
• particulate matter
• environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
• persistent organic pollutants

Chemicals:

• EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals) e.g. phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), etc. EDC intervene with the production, discharge, transport, metabolism, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that is responsible for the preservation of homeostasis and the regulation of developmental processes.

How can various prenatal environmental exposures affect reproduction in later life?

Pollutants such as:

• Methylmercury
• Lead
• Ionizing radiations
• Polychlorinated biphenyls
• Polycyclic aromatic compounds
• Air contaminants
• Organic solvents
• Some pesticides
• Alcohol

can cause some major reproductive health issues such as:

• Spontaneous abortion
• Stillbirth
• Low Birthweight
• Decreased head circumference
• Preterm delivery
• Birth defects
• Visual and hearing deficits
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Intellectual deficits

Chemicals:

The technological dependent life has introduced us to various chemicals in our everyday lives. Such as:

• Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical which is found in cell phones, drinking cans, varnish, DVDs, and CDs, etc.;
• Glycol ethers are found in electronics, cosmetics, perfumes, etc.

Can lead to unfavorable health outcomes by:

• Disrupting the endocrine system,
• Obstructing the nervous system’s controls over the endocrine system which damage the reproductive tissues.

Health issues that can be caused due to exposure to these chemicals are:

• oocyte chromosome abnormalities
• recurrent miscarriage
• decreased semen quality
• hormonal changes
• longer menstrual cycles
• reduced fertility
• fetal loss
• premature ovarian failure
• malformed reproductive organs
• uterine fibroids
• endometriosis
• polycystic ovarian syndrome
• ovarian and breast cancers
• infertility or impaired fecundity
• birth defects
• low birth weight
• early menopause
• undescended testes(cryptorchidism)
• abnormal reproductive organs (hypospadias)
• decreased sperm quantity or quality
• TDS (testicular dysgenesis syndrome)

Pesticides:

Pesticides are manufactured chemical formulations designed to eliminate pests, including

• unwanted plants
• insects
• rodents
• molds/fungus

These chemicals interfere with fundamental life processes and metabolism, thus harming “non- target” plants, animals and people.

Health concerns that can be caused due to exposure to pesticides are:

• Decreased fetal growth
• Endometriosis
• Miscarriages and congenital disabilities
• Changes in sperm quality – reduced sperm quality and quantity in the highly exposed population
• Infertility
• Reduction in testosterone levels
• Early onset of menarche

AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution is at present one of the most significant risk factors in our cities, and it affects the entire population living in urban areas.

Common air pollutants are

• carbon monoxide
• lead
• ozone
• matter
• nitrogen dioxide
• sulfur dioxide

Various sources of Air Pollution are:

• motor vehicles
• industrial production
• coal burning
• wood burning
• small local origins such as dry cleaners

Exposure to Air Pollution can cause:

• fetal loss
• low birth weight
• preterm delivery

The approach of the team with the best IVF specialists in Gurgaon, India towards Environmental Pollution and its impact on Reproductive Health is very realistic, helpful and practical.

Awareness of the impacts of environmental pollutants on one’s health can help one to contact doctors in time. IVF specialists in Gurgaon, India can then contribute appropriate care, recognize the potential causes of reproductive difficulties, study the reproductive health issues, and defend patients from preventable harm.