Male infertility remains a global issue, with its causes often not well understood. Given the growing evidence of microplastics infiltrating various biological systems, such as blood and lungs, researchers are now exploring their potential effects on reproductive systems.
In dogs, they found that higher levels of certain microplastics correlated with lower sperm counts and reduced testis weight.Now, new research published in IJIR: Your Sexual Medicine has revealed that four out of five penis tissue samples from five men contained seven different types of microplastics.
These polymer fragments can vary in size from less than 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) to as small as 1 micrometer (1/25,000th of an inch). Smaller fragments, known as nanoplastics, are measured in billionths of a meter. Microplastics form when larger plastic materials degrade chemically or wear down physically into tinier pieces. This is to be expected given that plastics production significantly increased starting in 2000 with the introduction of fracking (in the US) and has doubled in production since 2008.
And we will see more plastics in us if the planned plastic production continues, which is predicted to triple by 2060.Doctors continuous research is essential to fully understand the extent of these effects and to develop strategies to mitigate exposure and protect reproductive health.
However, researchers say that people may be able to limit their exposure by reducing their use of single-use plastics, filtering tap water, or choosing fresh food over frozen food found in plastic containers that need to be microwaved.
People can reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals (many of which are found in microplastics), though not completely because many sources are beyond their control. They also highlighted an evidence review by FIGO that shows that several interventions effectively reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors, like phthalates. S since these chemicals are often used in plastics, these practices would also lower exposures to microplastics: avoiding plastic containers, bottles, and packaging; avoiding canned food/beverages; consuming fresh and organic food; and avoiding fast/processed foods.
The government also needs to enact systematic changes that ensure people are not exposed to harmful levels of MPs. This includes focusing on the plastics treaties, where one proposal is to cap current plastic production so that they don’t get an increase in plastics and find more in people.
