Cut Out These Fertility Killers Now
What To Avoid While TTC?
For the love of healthy loins, read this, print this, send this to your friends. xo
Toxins
- BPA. The cancer-causing, fertility killer. Wait until you hear how disruptive it can be for your next IVF and your endocrine system in general. Found in polycarbonate plastics (food and beverage packaging), epoxy resin lining most cans, which leach into your food and bev (from lima beans to soda), bottle tops, and receipts. What can you do? Read here, we also provide a list of the grocery brands that are the worst offenders.
- Atrazine. Psssst!! It's in the water! Make sure to buy natural spring water (in BPA free containers) or get a solid home purifier.
- Organophosphates. You know, the kind of pesticides that disturb the reproduction of pests? Really good at disturbing our reproduction too. Learn about avoiding these here.
“We personally switched over to the Big Berkey stainless steel unit. My husband likes it because he’s Dutch (it’s cheaper than a home installation system) and I like it because it does its purification job. His pitch to me on it? “You can pee in it, and it comes out water!” ”
Ingestibles
- Soy. Most know women should avoid soy, but this goes for you and your partner. Learn why here.
- Red Meat. Diets high in red meat have been tied to endometriosis (abnormal uterine tissue growth). Best to rely on plant-based iron to aid in conception and stick to meats that are grass-fed and hormone and anti-biotic free.
- Turmeric. Only he needs to avoid in high amount, like supplement form as they have been found to screw with his sperm.
- Alcohol. We are completely empathetic. Read here for threshold formula.
- Sugar. Cave peoples didn't have brownies and for good reason. They needed to multiply. Learn why you and your partner need to curb the habit now.
- Cottonseed Oil. Sperm killer found in many processed foods like bread, cereal, cookies, crackers, margarine, and salad dressings. Read labels well.
- Caffeine. We challenged the 250 milligram rule, and this is what happened
Life Stuffs
- Lube (and spit). Your motion lotion may be working against you. Try this instead.
- Rigorous Physical Activity. Be mindful of inflammation inducing workouts. IVF candidates further reading. **
- Tampons. Our resident Doc breaks it down for us here, giving some great tips for letting it flow.
- Toxic Beauty Products. You miiiiiiiiight want to check out this list before you slather up.
- Stress. Like, if you could eliminate it you would, right? This stat might lighten your mood: Harvard studied 184 women TTC, and 55% of those women who completed a mind/body program (like yoga or meditation) got pregnant within a year, compared to only 20% in the control group.*** We have an incredible daily pro-conception meditation, on us, among other refresh, chill-out, IVF-cycle ready multi-modality packs.
- Late-night Screen Time. Artificial light can suppress melatonin, a sleep hormone that protects eggs against free radicals. Lights out should include your smartphone or tablet.****
Medications
- These 15 Prescription Drugs. Remember to always speak with your doctor before transitioning off any prescription medication.
- Antihistamines. If it can dry up your nasal mucus just think what it can do to your cervical mucus. We examined two medical studies that exposed what you AND your partner must know about antihistamine use in couples trying to conceive.
- Decongestants and Cough Medicines. Like antihistamines, Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine can dry up your vaginal canal, creating a hostile environment for swimmers.
- Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Naproxen, and other similar nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can block prostaglandins, which have adverse effects on ovulation, fertilization, implantation and maintenance of pregnancy.*****
- Castor Oil. Used by some for constipation, infections, and (get this) birth control, due to its ability to stimulate the uterus.******
- Cold and Cough Remedies Containing Alcohol. Read labels carefully, and don't waste your allotted alcohol intake on these puppies. We've got this down to a science.
- Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate. These antidiarrheals both contain Bismuth Subsalicylate, shown to be toxic to the fetus in animals. Use Imodium (Loperamide) instead.*******
- Cold and Cough Syrups Containing Dextromethorphan. Studies on the drug's safety have been too varied, even causing birth defects in some tests. Best not to chance it.********
- Anabolic Steroids. Bulking up with these may cause infertility in women. We love bad ass chicas, don't get us wrong, but be aware that steroids mimic the male hormone testosterone, and high doses and long-term use can affect the hormone-producing adrenal glands, upsetting a woman’s menstrual cycles, sometimes permanently.**********
*http://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns
**http://www.reproductivewellness.com/classical-ways-boost-fertility-shared-fertility-clinic/
***https://books.google.com/books?id=axydU7Bawx8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
****http://www.reproductivewellness.com/classical-ways-boost-fertility-shared-fertility-clinic/
*****http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44393864/ns/health-pregnancy/t/miscarriage-risk-doubles-use-anti-inflammatory-drugs/#.UGjzK2hZW4k
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*****http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/856186
******http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-897-CASTOR.aspx?activeIngredientId=897&activeIngredientName=CASTOR
*******http://safefetus.com/search.php/index/details/DrugId/426/TradeName/Bismuth%20subsalicylate%20(Salicylate)/TradeId/2847
********https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-take-cold-medications-during-pregnancy_2299.bc
**********http://www.livestrong.com/article/197919-side-effects-of-steroids-for-women/
(No conflicts of interest detected in the above sources)