How Pesticides Can Impact Fertility Levels

Environmental threats to male reproduction was first discovered around 30 years ago when sperm formation was shown to be severely impaired among agricultural workers and pesticide manufacturers. It is a well documented fact that exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, insecticides and herbicides can decrease sperm production and quality. Among men seeking infertility treatment, those who were exposed to pesticides were most likely to have a very low sperm output. What’s more, sperm concentration, output and morphology were all significantly worse in men more frequently exposed to pesticides.

Those living and working on a farm land, mixing and applying pesticides – including insect killers, weed killers as well as fungal killers and fungicides are potentially in danger of experiencing a low sperm count.

The Pesticide-Fertility Connection

It is important to note that many of the studies conducted on pesticides only examined people who live in an agricultural area or regularly work with pesticides. Therefore, an average person is not likely to have such a high-exposure to these chemicals. However the danger lies in the fact that even a low-level of exposure to pesticides has been found to cause health problems.

As infertility rates continue to rise in many countries, more and more studies are directed at possible environmental factors such as the effect of various chemicals, toxins and pesticides as a potential cause of infertility. Most tests have revealed alarming results. Pesticides have an adverse effect of causing health and reproductive problems in people who are continuously exposed to these strong chemicals. Here is a sampling of various findings:

• Chlorpyrifos has been found to cause autoimmune responses whereby the body attacks the sperm or egg
• DDT and chlordane are of particular concern as they have both been found to reduce sperm counts
• Many pesticides have proven links with reduced sperm counts, including ethylene dibromide (pesticide), kepone (pesticide) and DBCP (agricultural nematocide)
• Exposure to pesticides also leads to decreased levels of testosterone in men.

Pesticides in the home include indoor insect repellants and pesticides used in the garden. The combined exposure of using both types can be significant.

It’s not just men, but women also whose fertility may be disrupted by pesticide exposures. Women who live near crops on which pesticides have been sprayed may have anywhere from a 40 to 120% increased risk of miscarriage.

Tips for Safeguarding Fertility from Pesticide Exposure

• If your work involves handling chemicals consider if you can reduce the number of hours you are exposed to them. If this is not possible always wear gloves and a mask for protection.
• If you intend to put pesticide on your lawn and you are planning a baby see if there is someone else who can do the job for you
• Consider using organic fertilizers since they don’t carry a chemical risk.

Fertility Treatment Options

There has been growing concern about the effect pesticides may have on the delicate human reproductive system, and particularly on the quality of sperm. If you discover you are pregnant and you live near an agricultural area where pesticides are being used, it is advised you remove yourself to avoid exposure to these chemicals.

East Bay fertility Center, Dublin, California, (www.ebfertility.com) specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility, providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. Treatment options are pursued based on all known parameters and the preferences of the couple.

East Bay’s experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.

Infertility Support Groups

For couples dealing with infertility, it is extremely important to connect with other people who understand exactly what they are going through. Family and friends at best can only offer solace. Infertility support groups provide the link to interact with others who are dealing with similar challenges and medical conditions. The emotional and physical strains that the infertility treatment process brings about and the anguish of putting up with continual cycle failures are extremely overwhelming for couples.

Professional counseling groups and online infertility forums prove to be of great support and help in coping with infertility. Sometimes just knowing other people are in related situations helps. Infertility support groups can be either a local group that meets at regular intervals or an online forum offering a channel to express concerns and get information from others in a similar situation.

How Can Infertility Support Groups Help?
• Support groups foster positive feelings and inspire hope in those suffering from infertility or have endured pregnancy loss
• They provide members with resources and information about different fertility treatment options
• These support groups help foster long-lasting friendships with like minded people who can offer emotional support and comfort
• They guide you on how to cope with infertility and provide a safe environment to talk
• Members are able to discuss their experiences more openly and freely with other individuals.

There are numerous online fertility support groups providing support and encouragement to those struggling to cope with infertility related issues. Many online support groups also conduct workshops and classes and occasionally have group meetings.

Infertility support groups are ideal for both primary and secondary infertility cases as well as those who have the hope that some day they will experience parenthood. Members get support on issues such as adoption options, becoming foster parents and getting up to date knowledge about the latest treatment options all of which propel them back into a positive frame of mind.

You are not alone!

There are hundreds of different infertility support groups to guide couples through their infertility journey. Many are run by trained social workers while others are run by people who have themselves been diagnosed with infertility. Local health care practitioners and infertility specialists are useful resources to locate a good support group. It also helps to check online and to check the hospital bulletin boards and the local press.

It is crucial that infertility issues are addressed on time or they may leave couples feeling utterly worthless and cast a shadow over their self-esteem and confidence. Infertility support groups are an important part of the healing process for individuals and couples coming to terms with their condition. Most support groups are run by people with a genuine desire to help ease through this difficult time and get on with life, offering hope that some day, pregnancy will become reality.

East Bay Fertility Center (www.ebfertility.com) located in Dublin, California is well equipped with the latest infertility treatment options and offers comprehensive consultation in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology. The Center is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and offers a complete mind-body experience for couples with fertility issues. A former infertility patient herself, Dr. Snowden brings to her patients a rare and valuable firsthand empathy for the personal pain and emotional stress of dealing with infertility.

To learn more about East Bay’s infertility treatment options and counseling sessions, please log on to http://ebfertility.com/Infertility_Counseling.html

Unexplained Infertility

Unexplained infertility is a fairly common medical condition which indicates a failure to determine a credible underlying cause of infertility despite a thorough evaluation of both the male and female partner. Knowing that you’re infertile is tough enough, but not knowing the underlying cause for the problem can be extremely painful to reconcile with.

The diagnosis of unexplained infertility is a difficult process involving a series of exclusion and elimination based on a large number of infertility tests making it an extremely frustrating experience.

Doctors are now of the opinion that unexplained infertility is probably caused by a small problem in each partner, affecting the chances of getting pregnant. These problems are so subtle that they don’t show up on current tests. This means that a clinical problem exists but the probable cause for this problem remains elusive.

Possible Factors Leading to Unexplained Infertility

Abnormal fallopian tubes
Abnormal eggs
Prematurely Aging Ovaries Syndrome
Weak sperm
Immune System Problems
Emotional Distress

Possible Treatment Options for Unexplained Infertility

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – Under this assisted reproductive technology, the fertilization process is initiated by collecting sperm from the male partner and releasing it into the female partner’s uterus.

In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) – This process is followed for women who have faulty fallopian tubes or ovaries. The process involves placing the egg and the sperm in a dish and once fertilized, the embryo is placed into the woman’s uterus.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation - Intrauterine insemination in conjunction with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is often used as first-line treatment for couples with unexplained infertility. The treatment involves using drugs to make the woman's ovaries produce eggs and inserting her partner's sperm directly into her womb.

For those grappling with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, the good news is that medical science has made great inroads in cutting down the incidence of this condition. On-going research is tipped to further reduce the incidence of unexplained fertility in the coming years. Moreover studies reveal that very often such couples conceive naturally over a three year period.

East Bay fertility Center, Dublin, California, (www.ebfertility.com) specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility, providing a complete mind-body experience for fertility couples. At East Bay, our reproductive endocrinologists conduct a detailed review of the entire infertility evaluation when couples approach us with a prior diagnosis of unexplained fertility. This can sometimes reveal an error made in either testing or interpretation in which case we recommend further investigation into questionable fertility factors. Treatment options are pursued based on all known parameters and the preferences of the couple.

East Bay’s experienced medical staff is headed by Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician. Dr Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. Call us at 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.