Plastic Materials and Infertility

Urbanization and industrialization in modern societies have undoubtedly led to environmental degradation and pollution, posing greater threats to human health.

On a daily basis, people are exposed to a wide range of synthetic chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), parabens, and many others. All of these are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Unfortunately, these chemicals are commonly found in many everyday products and can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems at various levels, leading to adverse effects on health and fertility in both men and women.

Bisphenol A is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that has been used for many years in plastic containers, water bottles, and the lining of food cans. Research findings indicate that the presence of this substance in the body can lead to numerous health problems, including miscarriage, reduced sperm count, and changes in the age of puberty.

BPA appears to have a strong affinity for estrogen receptors and therefore exhibits estrogen-mimicking behavior. This suggests that such a chemical compound may stimulate estrogenic activity and contribute to the development of various female reproductive disorders by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In addition, BPA can inhibit androgen function by binding to androgen receptors.

Due to its reproductive toxicity, the use of BPA has been restricted globally in recent years. As an alternative, several BPA analogs have been introduced in baby bottles, infant formula packaging, and other plastic products. Bisphenol S (BPS; bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone) and bisphenol F (BPF; 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane) are two of the most common BPA analogs.

Therefore, greater attention to lifestyle modification appears essential for the prevention of various diseases.