Microplastics and Fertility: What You Need to Know

The evidence is becoming clearer every day: Microplastics are wreaking havoc on our love life. From couples trying to get pregnant, to nations experiencing population collapse, declining birth rates and the global fertility crisis are issues that affect people or every nation, class, and ethnicity. This is a global issue that penetrates all political and social divisions.

A recent study is a cause for concern for microplastics and their role in affecting fertility. Fertility rates are on a steady decline in both men and women. Studies have shown that male fertility rates have been on the decline by 1% per year since 1960. According to the authors “Research suggests that microplastics disrupt the neuroendocrine system, influencing sex hormone synthesis through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. In the reproductive system, microplastics interfere with the blood-testis barrier, impairing spermatogenesis in males, and causing placental dysfunction, ovarian atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia, and fibrosis in females.”

Microplastics seem to have infiltrated every organ in the body, including our wedding tackle. Several recent studies have shown microplastic contamination in every human testicle as well as every sperm sample collected. Research has shown that male sperm count in the US is declining at 1.1% per year and a total of 51.6% since 1980. That may not sound like a lot, but if that trend continues it means American men will be shooting blanks by 2050. While many factors likely play a role in this, the evidence is becoming clearer: Microplastics are wreaking havoc on fertility globally.

Microplastics are wreaking havoc on female reproduction and fecundity. Studies suggest that microplastics might be responsible for what could be termed an ‘ovarian overload’ in female mice, where the ovaries become larger but less productive, akin to over-inflated balloons with fewer party guests inside. The number of embryos produced takes a nosedive, and pregnancies become as rare as a clear day on Venus, thanks to these microscopic intruders. Microplastics are causing oxidative stress and hormonal havoc. They’re not just spectators; they’re actively sabotaging the show by causing granulosa cells, essential for egg development, to die off through apoptosis and pyroptosis, like a backstage crew abandoning the production mid-performance.

The uterine lining, once plush like a carpet, is being turned into something more akin to sandpaper due to fibrosis caused by microplastics, leading to what can only be described as uterine upheaval. The quality and maturation of oocytes, or eggs, are compromised, transforming what should be the finest wine into vinegar. Fecundity drops, and there’s an increase in germ-line apoptosis, effectively cutting the reproductive line short. Microplastic are actively sabotaging the reproductive machinery of various species, including humans.

The insidious effect of microplastics doesn’t end after conception. Research has shown that 60% of miscarriages, which affect 1 in 8 pregnancies, are associated with elevated level of phthalates, a particularly nasty kind of microplastic. Microplastics may be affecting the ability of our future generations to conceive. Exposure to phthalates has also shown to be correlated with decreased Angiogenital Distance (AGD) in newborns, a risk factor associated with lower testosterone and decreased sperm counts. Microplastics have been discovered invading the placenta, a vital organ for maternal-fetal exchange. Studies also show microplastics associated with reduced fetal growth, umbilical length, and lower gestational age and preterm birth. Mice studies have even shown exposure to microplastics associated with autistic-like conditions;

How do microplastics mess with fertility? One prevailing theory is their role in hormone dysregulation. Microplastics and nanoplastics are small organic hydrocarbon chains. They can often mimic or disrupt hormone function, interfering with our endocrine system. These microscopic invaders imitate and dysregulate the body’s normal endocrine function; a system that is integral to fertility and reproduction.

It doesn’t take a tree-hugging environmentalist to recognize the dangers of widespread plastic use. Plastics have saturated our way of living, it is literally in the air we breathe. While there are many factors associated with the fertility crisis, it is clear that microplastics are playing an outsized role in the fertility department. Mitigating microplastic exposure and developing meaningful intervention and removal strategies will be essential in turning the ship around in the baby-making department.