FERTILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: THE MODERN FACTORS YOU DON'T EXPECT

15 December 20252′ read2 sections

CONTENTS

Environmental factors that affect fertility
What you can do to protect yourself

Fertility is affected not only by age, diet or lifestyle, but also by the environment we live in. Today, new factors are emerging and playing an important role, often without our realising it. From air pollution to the chemical products we use every day, the environment can affect female and male fertility more than we imagine.

Environmental factors that affect fertility

Air pollution: Research shows that prolonged exposure to pollutants can affect sperm quality and ovulation.
Chemicals: Plastics, cosmetics and cleaning products may contain substances (such as phthalates) that disrupt the hormonal system.
Electronic devices: Excessive use of mobile phones and portable devices close to the genital area has been linked to reduced sperm quality.
Climate change and heat: High temperatures affect male fertility, as sperm is particularly sensitive to heat.

What you can do to protect yourself

Choose products without chemical additives or with natural ingredients.
Reduce your use of plastics, especially for food and drink.
Use air filters in highly polluted spaces.
Avoid direct contact between your mobile phone or laptop and your body.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle that strengthens your body's resilience.

Although we cannot fully control our environment, we can make small changes that protect our fertility. With the right guidance, it is possible to limit the risks and improve the chances of conception.

At the Dr. Alexandros Traianos Centre for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine, we are here to guide you through every step, taking into account both the personal and the environmental factors that affect fertility.

TAGSDr Alexandros Traianosreproductive medicine centremale fertilityfertilityassisted_reproduction

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Environmental factors that affect fertility

What you can do to protect yourself

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?