A couple’s desperate struggle with infertility was turned around by a radical decision – removing toxic chemicals from their life. Kirstie Phillips and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for months without success, but after discovering that environmental toxins were the likely cause, they made a drastic change.
The 30-year-old nurse anesthetist, who had always assumed she would get pregnant quickly, learned that her ovaries weren’t functioning correctly. After researching and eliminating scented candles, home fragrance plug ins, body washes, moisturizers, single-use plastics, and nonstick cooking pans from their home, the couple was shocked to learn they were both pregnant again – one naturally and the other through IVF.
The statistics are alarming. Fertility rates in the US have collapsed to a historic low, with the total fertility rate falling to 1.62 births per woman in 2023. The CDC data shows that for a population to stay the same size, it must achieve a ‘replacement’ level fertility rate of 2 – a number the US hasn’t recorded since 2007.
Scientists believe that exposure to environmental toxins, including ‘forever chemicals’ like BPA and phthalates, are playing a significant role in the decline. These chemicals can be found in plastic containers, fragrances, soaps, lotions, baby bottles, receipts, and more. Studies have linked them to lower egg yields in women, poor semen quality in men, and even ovarian failure.
The Phillips’ story is not an isolated incident. A study published last year by doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York revealed that higher exposure to PFAS chemicals was linked to a lower likelihood of clinical pregnancy and live birth. Experts warn that the number and amount of these chemicals are increasing, and they know that some can directly impact male and female reproductive health.
Eliminating toxins from their life appears to have helped Kirstie’s body self-regulate, allowing her to conceive naturally two years after her initial struggles. Her story is a hopeful reminder that individuals can take control of their environment and make a positive impact on their health.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14198245/couple-fertility-household-chemicals-pregnancy-reproduction-pfas.html