Men may be able to increase fertility by improving sperm quality and quantity if they reduce exposure to common household chemicals.

Fertility clinics are a booming business and sperm banks are filling up. Many women are unable to get pregnant because their men have less than optimal little swimmers. This article may help you improve the health of your contribution to the baby-making process so your lady doesn\’t have to go looking for a donor to get the child she\’s always wanted.

From 1999 to 2006, the latest year for which data is available, the assisted reproductive technology industry tripled to a $4 billion a year sector of our health care industry, according to a report by Bharat Book Bureau, \”U.S. Fertility Clinics & Infertility Services: An Industry Analysis\”. The number of sperm banks has also risen as demand for functional sperm increased dramatically. As male fertility continues to decline, numerous studies have been undertaken in an effort to determine what is causing the dramatic drop in male fertility.

Research of studies located on the National Library of Medicine implicates exposure to common household chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system as the most likely source of reduced sperm viability. The endocrine system controls the behavior of every cell in the human body and mimics female hormones, apparently affecting the ability of male hormones to develop viable sperm. I have included links for 13 studies below that show that parabens, phthalates and bisphenal A have been shown in human studies to reduce the quality of sperm and even cause damage to DNA that affects the health of offspring for a lifetime.

Parabens, used as a preservative in food and a common ingredient in personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream and more, have been shown to kill sperm and are even being researched for use as a vaginal spermicide. Phthalates, used to hold fragrances in cleaning and body care products, as well as one of the chemicals that leaches out of many types of plastics, have been shown to prevent development of sperm as well as cause damage to the DNA, which can result in birth defects and increased risk of cancers for offspring. Bisphenol A, used as a plasticizer in plastic food containers, plastic food storage bags and the lining of cans to prevent interaction between the food and the metal can, have been shown to inhibit sperm development and damage DNA. Men are exposed to all of these chemicals on a daily basis – it\’s not much of a wonder that male infertility is increasing dramatically.

An article published by MSNBC, \”Shooting Blanks: 7 Surprising Sperm Killers\”, brought this information to the public in an effort to provide the education and awareness needed to improve sperm health. However, it is doubtful that many people read or shared the information. Another article, published by the Daily Beast, \”Low Sperm Count: Why Male Fertility is Falling\”, provided the same information with a bit of humor from a more human point of view.

While it is impossible to eliminate exposure to phthalates, bisphenol A and parabens, studies show that increased urinary concentrations are associated with increased damage to sperm function. Reducing your exposure will likely improve the health of your little swimmers and improve your ability to give your lady the child she\’s always wanted – without having to search for a donor. The article, \”Seven Easy Ways to Reduce Chemical Exposure in Daily Life\”, will give you ways to start reducing your exposure to phthalates, bisphenol A and parabens.

Resources:
U.S. Fertility Clinics & Infertility Services: An Industry Analysis Source: Bharat Book Bureau
Low Sperm Count: Why Male Fertility is Falling Source: The Daily Beast
Shooting Blanks? 7 Surprising Sperm Killers Source: MSNBC