Fertility rates have been dropping all over the world, partially due to access to birth control and education.
However, these factors do not explain why some people still struggle to have children, even with IVF treatments. In fact, about 13% of women who are of childbearing age still have difficulty conceiving. Male fertility may be at risk as well. In the past 40 years, sperm counts have decreased over 50%. What could be causing this?
Increased age, weight, smoking, and stress can contribute to infertility. However, another factor that many people are not aware of is exposure to everyday toxic chemicals. These chemicals, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (or EDCs), can mess with your hormones and your ability to conceive.
What are “everyday toxic chemicals?”
There are toxic chemicals all around us, in personal products, food and beverages, tap water, and even in dust. We are exposed to them daily. While everyone should try to avoid these chemicals, it is especially important if you are trying to conceive or you are pregnant. Why?
Because some of these chemicals mimic our natural hormones. This can trick the body and cause it to block real hormones, such as estrogen. As you know, estrogen and other hormones play a huge role in conception and pregnancy. If these hormones are messed with, then your chances of conceiving and having a child decreases.
Which toxic chemicals are hormone disruptors?
Bisphenol A, or BPA, and phthalates are the two most studied endocrine disrupting chemicals. These chemicals can be found in:
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Food and food packaging
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Food/drink cans
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Cosmetics
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Perfume, fragranced products, and air fresheners
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Some hard plastics
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Soft plastics, such as in shower curtains and children’s toys
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Cash register receipts
How does exposure to these chemicals affect health?
These chemicals mimic estrogen, which means they can affect everything from menstrual cycles to conception, to becoming pregnant and having a baby. Exposure can cause:
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Reduced IVF success (embryo is not able to attach to the uterus)
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Later diseases/disorders in children when exposed in the womb, including neurological disorders and breast cancer
Million Marker can help!
To give yourself and your family the best start in life, it is important to reduce exposures to these everyday toxic chemicals. However, this can be an overwhelming task, especially since many of these chemicals are not on ingredient lists or product labels.
But we’re here to help! Million Marker can identify your exact level of exposure, find the sources of these exposures, as well as provide you with counseling to help you reduce your exposures to toxic chemicals.
How does the Million Marker kit work?
Our process is easy from start to finish.
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Complete your 24 hour product and diet survey, the day before you take your urine sample. Our Million Marker app (available for iOS and Android) makes it easy to document your product use, food, and drinks throughout the day. This helps identify where toxic chemical exposures are coming from.
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The next morning, collect your urine sample. Don’t worry, we don’t need much!
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Ship the test kit to our lab, using the enclosed envelope and shipping label.
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We test your urine sample for toxic chemical exposure
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Next, you will receive a detailed and personalized report about your exposures
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This next step is important. You have to start implementing the changes we recommend to reduce exposures (unless your exposure levels are already low, then that’s great!)
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Re-test to track your exposures to ensure they stay low, especially throughout pre-conception, conception, and pregnancy.
What else can you do?
Although our test kit is the best way to “learn what’s inside” and know for sure your toxic chemical exposure levels, here are some recommendations for other ways you can limit your EDC exposures.
Avoid the following:
• Processed and packaged foods
• Plastic, especially with food and drink
• Cash register receipts
• The ingredient “fragrance” or “parfum”
• Capsule vitamins
Get educated
If you are trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, or have a newborn, it is important to educate yourself on toxic chemicals and their health effects. Check out our:
Buy toxic-free products
Our Million Marker List of Approved Products is dedicated to sharing everyday products that are free of toxic chemicals. Our list has products from shampoo to kitchenware, and we are continually adding more categories.
Or jump start detoxing your life with our curated personal care detox and kitchen detox kits!