The epidermis (skin) is the largest organ of the body, so it makes sense that the toxins found in the fabric sitting on the surface of the skin can be absorbed into the skin and allowed into the bloodstream. Polyesters are considered particularly suspicious fabrics as they are made from a chemical called polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic polymer used in a variety of products.
1 study 24 dogs were published in 1993, divided into 24 dogs. One group wore cotton underwear and polyester. At the end of the study period, sperm counts in dogs wearing polyester pants were significantly reduced and sperm abnormalities increased. That being said, this study was conducted on dogs from 30 years ago, and there have been few additional studies to show it since.
So, ju umpires are certainly still out on whether dough will reduce fertility, but there are some things we know.
Chemicals found in polyester
According to Audrey GaskinsAssociate Professor of Environmental Health at Emory University, most studies focus on specific chemicals that may be found in fabrics rather than in the fabric itself, and these chemicals are usually measured in blood or urine.
However, fabrics like polyester contain many chemicals that can affect fertility. PFAS stands for merely fluoroalkyl substances and is a group of chemicals found in thousands of products, making it difficult for the body to remove.
“PFA is generally found in water-resistant clothing,” says Gaskins. However, drinking water is the most common means of exposure and can be many other dishes, such as non-stick cooking utensils.
Studies have shown that PFA can reduce the birth rate in women by about 40%. According to the NIH National Institute Environmental Health Scienceshigh levels of PFA in the blood were associated with reduced chances of pregnancy and birth. Other studies have shown that PFA is associated with increased cases of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), both of which reduce fertility.
read more: How fashion harms the environment – and people’s health
Poor pregnancy outcome
polyester(When combined with Spandex) may also contain bisphenol A (BPA), another compound that has been shown to potentially affect fertility. December 2022 study It is published on Journal of Clinical Medicine It was found that the prevalence of PCOS in women with a high amount of BPA in the blood was high.
Finally, polyesters contain phthalate esters. It can include phthalate acids, chemicals commonly used in sports bras and other clothing. These have also been shown to have a negative effect on fertility. Research published in the September 2021 issue of the journal Best Practices and Research Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism Higher concentrations of chemicals were found to be associated with lower pregnancy rates, increased incidence of miscarriage, and other pregnancy complications.
“We found a suggestive link between high concentrations of bisphenol and phthalate phthalate metabolites and worse markers of reproductive health, such as poor success in IVF,” says Gaskins. “What we don’t know is where the source of the exposure comes from.”
Exposure to fertility-reducing chemicals
Still, the obvious implications when you are about to conceive is to reduce your exposure to any of these chemicals via possible routes, especially if you are controlling for exposure. If you know that these fabrics have chemicals, reducing their use is more achievable for many people, compared to, say, changing your drinking water.
Reducing exposure to these chemicals is undoubtedly free of drawbacks. Clothes aren’t the biggest means of exposure to PFA, phthalates, BPA, etc., but if you’re about to get pregnant, they are certainly a good place to start.
This article does not provide medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
read more: What are the risks of PFA that continue to escalate?
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Our author discovermagazine.com Our articles use peer-reviewed research and high-quality sources, and editors review scientific accuracy and editing criteria. Check out the sources used below in this article.
Saranovak is a science journalist based in South Carolina. In addition to writing Discover, her work has appeared in Scientific American, Popular Science, New Scientist, Sierra Magazine, Astronomy Magazine, and more. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia Grady Journalism School. She is also a candidate for the Masters in Science Writing at Johns Hopkins University (graduated 2023).
