Microplastics aren’t just affecting men’s health — women are at risk too. For the first time ever, scientists have found tiny plastic particles in the fluid surrounding women’s eggs in the ovaries. This discovery raises serious questions about how plastic pollution may affect female fertility.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are extremely small plastic particles, often thinner than a strand of hair. They come from the breakdown of larger plastic items and can be found in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Over time, these particles can enter our bodies and reach important organs like the brain, lungs, heart — and now, the ovaries.
What did the study find?
Researchers in Italy studied 18 women undergoing fertility treatment and found microplastics in 14 of them. This fluid, called follicular fluid, surrounds a woman’s egg and plays a crucial role in fertility. Finding microplastics here is alarming.
Dr. Luigi Montano, the lead researcher, said this discovery is a big warning sign. It shows that plastic pollution could be harming women’s reproductive systems — just as it has been shown to affect men’s fertility.
Read More: Say Goodbye to Cancer Risk with These 10 Easy, Life-Changing Habits!
How do microplastics affect women’s health?
Animal studies have shown that microplastics can damage ovaries, reduce the ability of eggs to mature, and lower the chances of fertilization. These tiny plastics often carry harmful chemicals like bisphenol, phthalates, and PFAS. These chemicals can enter the body like a “Trojan horse,” sneak into the ovaries, and disrupt hormones.
Here are some of the key health risks:
- Fertility problems
Microplastics might stop eggs from developing properly and could affect hormone levels, making it harder to get pregnant. - Hormone imbalance
These particles can act like hormones or block them, causing issues such as irregular periods, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), or thyroid problems. - More inflammation in the body
Microplastics can cause long-lasting inflammation, which increases the risk of autoimmune diseases, heart problems, and certain types of cancer. Women may be more sensitive to these effects. - Risks during pregnancy
If a pregnant woman is exposed to microplastics, the particles might pass to the baby and affect the child’s growth, possibly causing low birth weight or development delays. - Breathing and digestion issues
Breathing in or swallowing microplastics can cause lung problems like asthma and stomach issues such as gut inflammation. This is especially a concern for women living in cities with polluted air.
Microplastics also affect men’s fertility
Plastic pollution is also harming men’s reproductive health. Research shows a big drop in sperm count and quality over the last 80 years — from 113 million/ml in 1940 to just 15 million/ml in recent years. Microplastics and the harmful chemicals they carry could be a major reason for this decline, along with factors like poor diet, obesity, and pollution.
