Fertility can be affected by age, health, lifestyle, genetics, and reproductive conditions. The environment may also play a role in reproductive health.
In the UK, people may be exposed to air pollution, pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, and workplace hazards in everyday life.
These exposures do not necessarily cause fertility problems, but reducing avoidable risks can help support reproductive health in both women and men.
Environmental factors are substances, conditions, or pollutants in the surroundings that may affect the body.
Some can enter the body through breathing, eating, drinking, or skin contact.
Examples that may be relevant to fertility include:
The effect depends on the substance, level, and duration of exposure, as well as an individual’s overall health.
Reproductive health depends on a delicate balance of hormones, healthy sperm and eggs, normal reproductive organs, and successful embryo development. Some environmental pollutants may interfere with these processes.
Research has linked certain exposures with changes in sperm quality, reproductive hormones, ovarian function, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy outcomes. However, the strength of evidence varies between different environmental factors.
This is why environmental exposure is best viewed as one possible contributor to fertility, rather than a single explanation for infertility.
Air pollution is a concern in many urban areas, particularly where traffic and other sources produce pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Air pollutants can enter the lungs and contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body. These processes may potentially affect reproductive health.
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been investigated for possible links with:
Fine particles may also contribute to oxidative stress, which can affect cells and tissues involved in reproduction. However, individual exposure levels and other health factors need to be considered.
Air pollution may also affect male reproductive health. Studies have associated some forms of pollution exposure with:
These effects may be particularly relevant for people who live or work in areas with high levels of air pollution.
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Pesticides are used to control insects, weeds, fungi, and other agricultural pests. People working in agriculture may have greater exposure, although small amounts can also be encountered through food, soil, or household use.
Some pesticides can interfere with the endocrine system, which regulates reproductive hormones.
Certain pesticide exposures have been studied for possible effects on:
Higher occupational exposure may present a greater concern than occasional, low-level exposure.
Pesticide exposure has also been associated in research with changes in:
People who regularly handle pesticides should follow workplace safety procedures and use appropriate protective equipment.
Many everyday and industrial products contain chemicals that may affect human health.
Some substances are known or suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning they can interfere with hormone activity.
Examples include some solvents, plastic-related chemicals, and certain industrial compounds.
Depending on the substance and exposure level, chemicals may potentially affect:
Research into chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols continues because people can encounter these substances through consumer products and other environmental sources.
Chemical exposure may influence male reproductive health by affecting:
Those working with solvents, plastics, paints, cleaning agents, or industrial chemicals may need to take particular care with exposure controls.
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements, but excessive exposure can be harmful. Relevant examples include lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
Exposure can occur through contaminated food or water, certain occupations, old materials, industrial processes, or other environmental sources.
High or prolonged exposure to some heavy metals may interfere with female fertility. Potential concerns include:
The actual risk depends heavily on the specific metal and amount of exposure.
Heavy metals can affect male fertility by damaging sperm-producing cells and may contribute to:
Occupational exposure should therefore be managed carefully, particularly in industries where metals are regularly handled.
Some occupations can involve greater exposure to chemicals, pollutants, radiation, dust, metals, or other reproductive hazards.
Examples may include work in:
Employers in the UK have responsibilities to assess workplace risks and provide appropriate controls and protective measures.
Workplace hazards may potentially affect female reproductive health through hormone disruption, chemical exposure, radiation, or other physical conditions.
Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should discuss significant occupational exposures with their employer or an appropriate healthcare professional if they are concerned.
Occupational exposure can affect sperm production, particularly when workers regularly encounter reproductive toxins, heavy metals, solvents, or high temperatures.
Using protective equipment, following safety procedures, and reducing unnecessary exposure can help lower potential risks.
Sperm production works best at a temperature slightly below normal body temperature. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat around the testicles can temporarily interfere with sperm production.
Potential sources include:
Heat-related effects are often temporary, as sperm production occurs continuously.
However, repeated or prolonged heat exposure may be worth discussing with a fertility specialist, particularly when sperm quality is already a concern.
You cannot control every environmental exposure, but several practical steps can reduce unnecessary risks:
It is also important not to become overly worried about everyday exposure. Fertility is complex, and environmental factors are only one part of the picture.
Environmental exposure is not always the main cause of fertility problems.
However, some situations require an urgent fertility specialist clinic review, particularly when there may be an underlying reproductive condition.
You should consider seeking specialist advice if you have:
If you are worried about a particular environmental exposure or have been trying to conceive without success, a fertility specialist can assess both partners, identify possible causes, and recommend appropriate tests or treatment.
Environmental factors such as air pollution, pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, and workplace hazards may affect fertility, especially with long-term or high exposure.
Reducing avoidable exposure can help support reproductive health. However, environmental factors are only one part of fertility and may not be the main cause of conception problems.
If you are struggling to conceive or have concerns about your reproductive health, a GP or fertility specialist can help identify possible causes and recommend the right next steps.
