Microplastics and Fertility: Should You Really Worry?
By Zsofia Jamieson and Marta Han, co-founders of The Fertility Class and certified Aviva Method instructors with 25 years of combined teaching experience. Last updated October 2026.
In short: Yes, it is worth paying attention to. Microplastics and plastic-related chemicals such as BPA and phthalates are now found throughout the body, including in the fluid around developing eggs, and these chemicals are recognized endocrine disruptors. You cannot avoid them completely, but a few simple changes at home meaningfully reduce your daily exposure.
Environmental toxins have long been known to affect hormonal and reproductive health. A recent article in The Washington Post shows just how widespread microplastic exposure has become. From food packaging and water bottles to personal care products, microplastics are everywhere, and they are reaching our bodies in measurable amounts.
“Microplastics have been detected in human lungs, livers, placentas and even breast milk,” writes Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco.
That matters for anyone thinking about fertility, hormonal health or long-term wellbeing. Exposure to plastic-derived chemicals such as phthalates and BPA has been linked to:
- Hormonal disruption
- Lower sperm and egg quality
- Menstrual irregularities
- A higher risk of miscarriage
What can you do about it?
The article sets out practical, evidence-based steps to reduce exposure. Here they are, expanded with fertility in mind:
- Switch to glass or stainless steel for food storage and water bottles
- Never heat food in plastic, since heat increases leaching
- Filter your drinking water
- Choose fragrance-free personal care products, because “fragrance” can conceal phthalates
- Reduce synthetic fabrics, especially in underwear and workout clothing
- Choose beauty and household products vetted for endocrine safety
At The Fertility Class, we are careful about what movement can and cannot do. Regular exercise supports circulation and overall health, but no exercise program has been shown to remove microplastics from the body. The step that makes the clearest difference is the practical one: reducing how much plastic reaches you in the first place.
None of this requires perfection. A handful of consistent changes, made one at a time, meaningfully lowers your exposure. For more on the everyday factors that shape fertility, read How to Improve Egg Quality.
Read the full article in The Washington Post
Common questions
Do microplastics affect fertility?
The research is early but moving quickly. A 2025 study found microplastics in the follicular fluid surrounding developing eggs in most of the women it tested, and plastic-related chemicals such as BPA and phthalates are well-documented hormone disruptors.
What are the easiest ways to reduce exposure?
Store and reheat food in glass or stainless steel, never heat anything in plastic, filter your drinking water and choose fragrance-free personal care products.
Does a partner’s exposure matter too?
Yes. Phthalates and other endocrine disruptors have been linked to lower sperm quality, so these changes help both partners. See our program for men.
Sources
- Montano et al., Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2025: microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid
- Gore et al., Endocrine Reviews, 2015: the Endocrine Society’s second scientific statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals
- The Washington Post, 2025: Tracey Woodruff on reducing microplastic exposure
