Too Toxic to Conceive

Is Your Lifestyle to Blame?

By Teri Brown

Almost anything that disrupts our endocrine system can have an adverse affect on our ability to conceive. The following chemicals have been known to disrupt the endocrine system in animals and should be avoided by humans as well.

• Alkylphenol ethoxylates Found in some laundry detergents, disinfecting cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, spot removers, hair colors and other hair-care products, these alkylphenol ethoxylates form alkylphenols during their environmental breakdown and have been shown to disrupt the endocrine systems of animals.
• Chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) Found in paper products like toilet paper and paper towels, chlorine bleach causes the formation of dioxin, an extremely toxic chemical known to cause cancer and disrupt the endocrine system. Dioxins have also been associated with endometriosis, but this has not yet been proven.
• Some solvents Solvents containing hexane, toluene, xylene, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene and methylene chloride can cause cancers, brain damage, nervous disorders and liver and kidney damage, and they can affect one's ability to bear healthy children.

Though the best way to avoid hormone disrupters is to learn to read labels on the products you buy, this can be confusing, as chemical names are often shortened or changed slightly if the makeup is slightly different. The best way to avoid chemicals is to cut down on the amount you bring into your home. Many can be substituted by natural products that you know are safe. The following tips will help you to lower the amount of toxins you bring in your home:

• Avoid pesticide use.
• Use organically grown produce.
• Peel non-organic fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid cleansers touted as super strength. (Try using homemade cleaners like baking soda, vinegar, borax, lemons and washing soda. Visit Green Home for more information.)