How Microplastics Affect Fertility: Today plastic has become a part of our everyday life. Very small particles of plastic are present in everything from drinking water to food packaging, house dust and even in the air. These are called microplastics. Earlier these were considered to be only environmental problems, but now scientists are growing concerned about the fact that these particles have reached inside the human body and can affect health.

Their reach increased towards humans

Microplastics are small plastic particles whose size is less than five millimeters. Over time, larger plastic products break down into these microscopic particles. In recent years, scientists have found them in human blood, lungs, placenta, sperm and even in the follicular fluid present in the ovaries of women. This is the reason why research on their effect on fertility has now intensified.

Can it cause infertility?

In a study published by researchers at the University of New Mexico in the year 2024, microplastic particles were found in human testicular tissue. In some other studies, their presence has also been recorded in the follicular fluid of women. Although scientists are not yet directly saying that microplastic is the cause of infertility, but concern has definitely increased about its possible effects.

What problem are humans facing?

According to Dr. Anindita Singh, fertility expert at Kolkata-based Nova IVF, research shows that microplastics can increase oxidative stress in the body. In this situation, harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species start increasing rapidly in the body, which can damage the cells. Dr. Anindita Singh explains that microplastics can affect the functioning of mitochondria and can also interfere with the balance of hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Experts believe that prolonged exposure to microplastics can reduce sperm motility in men, damage DNA and affect fertility. At the same time, there is a possibility of negative impact on the capacity of ovaries, quality of eggs and fertilization process in women.

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What are the problems other than fertility?

Apart from fertility, microplastics are also being considered a potential threat to the immune system, heart health, metabolism and endocrine system. Although scientists are still doing more research on this topic, experts are advising to take precautions. According to Dr. Anindita Singh, using glass or steel instead of plastic bottles, avoiding heating food in plastic containers, consuming less packaged foods, drinking filtered water and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help in reducing exposure to microplastics.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Sleep Cycle For Women: In today’s busy life, women compromise their sleep the most while managing home, job and family. Use mobile till late night, work or household chores and then wake up early in the morning. This sequence continues every day, but do you know that this incomplete sleep not only causes fatigue but can also harm your periods, the level of stress hormones in your body, the functioning of insulin in the body and even the ability to become a mother? Doctors say that sleeping before 11 pm is very important for women’s health and ignoring it gradually creates many problems inside the body.

Direct relationship between sleep and hormones

Our body works like a clock and sleep is the key to that clock. According to experts, there is a deep connection between women’s hormones and their sleep. It is important to know how many hours you sleep at night. But what time you sleep is equally important. Also, the same part of the brain that controls the hormones of sleep and wakefulness, also controls the process of ovulation i.e. egg production in women. The hormone that triggers ovulation, LH i.e. Luteinizing Hormone, is produced during deep sleep. If there are frequent interruptions in sleep, the production of LH decreases due to which periods may become irregular or ovulation may be missed.

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You will be shocked to know what can happen due to less sleep.

When women do not sleep well or sleep at the wrong time, it directly affects their hormones that control their ability to become mothers. That means the balance of estrogen, progesterone, melatonin, cortisol, LH and FSH gets disturbed. Of these, melatonin hormone keeps the quality of women’s eggs good and keeps them safe, but due to lack of sleep it is not produced properly.

On the other hand, not getting enough sleep greatly increases the level of cortisol in the body, which is mainly called the stress hormone. Due to increase in cortisol levels, the communication between the brain and ovaries gets disrupted, which stops the flow of LH and FSH hormones. Both these hormones are responsible for developing eggs in the ovaries and releasing them at the right time. Simply put, less sleep increases stress hormones and reduces the hormones that protect eggs, due to which women may have trouble conceiving or getting pregnant in the future.

How much sleep should women get

According to doctors, 7 to 8 hours of sleep is considered best for the reproductive health of women. A study by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine found that women who slept this many hours had a much higher chance of conceiving than women who slept less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours. Therefore, doctors advise to sleep by 11 pm.

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Can Excessive Exercise Affect Fertility: Nowadays fitness is not limited to health only, but it has become a lifestyle and social media trend. Six-pack abs, rapid weight loss challenges, marathon training and strict diet plans are attracting people. Although regular exercise is extremely beneficial for the body, experts say that when fitness turns into an obsession, it can affect many important functions of the body, including reproductive capacity.

Why is the reproductive system affected?

According to experts, our body works in a very intelligent manner. When it feels that the body is being subjected to excessive physical pressure or lack of energy, it first starts slowing down those processes which are not immediately necessary for survival. In such a situation, the reproductive system may be one of the first parts to be affected.

What are the benefits of exercise done correctly?

Dr. Kshitij Murdia told TOI that regular and balanced exercise is beneficial in many ways. This improves metabolism, hormones remain balanced and overall health improves. Moderate exercise can help improve fertility, especially in people suffering from obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle problems.

When do people start having problems?

The problem starts when people start exercising excessively, following strict dieting and chasing fitness goals. According to Dr. Kshitij Murdia, excessive exercise and lack of adequate rest keeps the body in a state of constant stress. If this happens for a long time, hormonal balance may deteriorate and fertility may be affected.

What is the effect in women?

Research from America’s National Institutes of Health also suggests that excessive exercise and low energy availability can affect reproductive hormones and periods. When the body does not get enough calories, the brain takes it as a signal that there is a shortage of resources. After this it can reduce the production of hormones related to reproduction.

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In women, its first sign may be irregular periods or complete cessation of periods. Many women consider this a fitness achievement, whereas it could be a warning sign for the body. Dr. Kshitij Murdia explains that in such a situation the body does not consider itself ready for pregnancy and the process of ovulation can be affected.

What is the problem in men?

This problem is not limited to women only. Excessive exercise can also reduce testosterone levels in men. Apart from this, increased oxidative stress and inflammation can affect the quality of sperm, which can weaken fertility. Experts believe that fitness and fertility are not opposed to each other. It is important that exercise is balanced, adequate nutrition is taken, sleep is adequate and the body gets time for recovery.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Poor Oral Health May Increase Infertility Risk: When it comes to reasons affecting women’s fertility, hormones, age, lifestyle or some disease are usually mentioned. But have you ever thought that the health of your gums can also affect your ability to become a mother? A recent research has made a shocking revelation. Researchers say that prolonged swelling in the mouth can affect the fertility of women and in some cases can also increase the risk of infertility.

How does it affect fertility?

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found in their study that persistent swelling in the mouth is not limited to only the teeth and gums. By increasing the response of the immune system in the body, it can also affect other organs, including the ovaries. The analyzes of the study have been published in the Journal of Dental Research.

What was the research done on?

During the research, the scientist studied rats and analyzed the condition of inflammation related to teeth. Investigation revealed that the signals emanating from swelling in the mouth spread throughout the body and can reach the ovaries. As a result, the level of chemicals that increase inflammation in the ovaries was found to be high. Along with this, changes in the immune system, tissue damage and decline in the quality of eggs were also observed.

What was the result of the research done on animals?

The researcher also found that in the eggs which were affected by inflammation, the process of development of the eggs got affected. The small sacs present in the ovaries, in which eggs develop, have not had normal growth. Due to this, the quality of eggs weakened and the chances of successful pregnancy appeared to be decreasing. The number of children born in the animals included in the study was also recorded to be less.

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What is the effect of long-term swelling?

The most surprising thing was that there were signs of damage to DNA and changes in the way genes function in the eggs. According to the researcher, these changes were largely similar to those seen during the decline in fertility with increasing age. This indicates that prolonged inflammation can prematurely affect the fertility of women. Michael Klutstein, who led the study, said that inflammation is often considered only a local problem, but our analysis shows that it can affect the entire body. He said that persistent swelling in the mouth can be a cause of infertility in women, which has not been given enough attention yet.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Does Chewing Gum Affect Male Fertility: Taking coffee while going to office, chewing gum all day or wearing gym wear, all these are our daily habits. But now experts are warning that these small things can affect your fertility. Especially chewing gum, which looks completely normal, can actually become a big danger. Let us tell you how these affect your fertility.

What do experts say?

According to fertility expert Dr Phoebe Howells, the reason behind this is microplastics. These are very small plastic particles, which enter the body through things around us, such as packaging, clothes, and even chewing gum. Recent research has revealed that chewing one piece of gum can release hundreds of microplastic particles into the body, most of which are released within the first few minutes. These particles gradually accumulate in the body and affect the hormonal system.

What is the effect on men and women?

Dr. Howells explains that chemicals present in microplastics such as BPA, phthalates and PFAS can disrupt the body’s hormones. In men it can affect sperm count, quality and movement, while in women it can affect ovulation and period cycle.

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What came out in the research

A 2025 study presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that microplastics were present in 69 percent of samples from women undergoing fertility treatment and 55 percent of samples from men. In a 2024 research by the University of New Mexico, microplastics were also found in human testicular tissue.

What things cause problems?

The problem is not limited to chewing gum. Tea bags, takeaway coffee cups, plastic containers and synthetic clothes are all major sources of microplastics. Especially when they come in contact with hot things, more particles are released from them, which directly reach the body. Doctors say that it is not possible to completely remove plastic from life, because it is present everywhere. But its effect can be reduced by making small changes. Such as using glass or ceramic instead of plastic, wearing loose-fitting and natural fabrics and choosing natural alternatives instead of chewing gum.

Fertility does not depend only on age or diet, but the environment around us also plays a big role in it. If you are planning to become a parent in the future, then it is important to pay attention to these small habits. Because many times the things that seem most ordinary to us are the ones that have the greatest impact in the long run.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Women often hesitate to talk openly about their reproductive health. This is the reason why many times a serious disease, cervical cancer, is not caught in time and women’s lives become endangered. Cervical cancer is a fatal cancer that starts in the cervix. The main reason behind this is HPV virus. Although this disease is common in India, there is a safe and effective way to prevent it. Which is HPV vaccine. Many people do not know about this vaccine and some people do not even have information related to it. In such a situation, let us know what is HPV vaccine and how it protects your life, what is the best age to get it?

What is HPV vaccine and how does it work?

HPV vaccine is a special vaccine, which provides protection to the body against the HPV virus. This vaccine injects fake virus-like proteins into the body. There is no real virus, but the body recognizes it and starts making antibodies. When the real HPV virus enters the body in the future, the antibodies immediately destroy it. This reduces the risk of spreading infection and reduces the risk of cervical cancer.

What is HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)?

HPV is a very common virus, which can affect the skin and genital area. More than 100 types of HPV are found worldwide, some of which are very dangerous. HPV infection often remains in the body without any symptoms. In some cases it gets cured on its own, but sometimes it can remain in the body for a long time and cause serious diseases like cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, anal cancer and oral cancer. HPV can also cause warts to form in the genital area, which cause discomfort and spread infection.

What is the best age to get it installed?

The best age for girls to get it fitted is 9 to 14 years. At this age the body’s immunity responds best to the vaccine. If the vaccine is not given in childhood then the vaccine can be given till the age of 26 years. The HPV vaccine is also important for men, because they can spread the virus to women. It also helps prevent anal and mouth/throat cancer. The vaccine is not usually given after age 45, because most people have already been exposed to HPV.

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How does it provide security to your life?

1. Prevention of cervical cancer – The biggest benefit of HPV vaccine is to protect women from cervical cancer. This cancer starts in the cervix and can be fatal if not treated in time. The vaccine destroys the HPV virus by creating antibodies in the body, which reduces the risk of cancer.

2. Protection from other cancers – HPV can cause not only cervical cancer but also other types of cancer, such as vaginal cancer, anal cancer, oral or throat cancer. HPV vaccine protects against all these serious diseases, thereby keeping your health safe.

3. Protection from genital area warts – HPV virus can also cause genital warts. This can spread infection. By getting vaccinated, the risk of formation of these warts reduces significantly.

4. Herd Immunity – When both girls and boys get the HPV vaccine, it reduces the spread of the virus. This is called herd immunity.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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How Lifestyle Affects Male Fertility: Fertility rates are continuously falling across the world. Today the situation is that in almost two-thirds of the countries of the world it has gone below the replacement level. According to Rachel Levy, professor of developmental and reproductive biology at the Faculty of Medicine of Sorbonne University, “Fertility has become not just an individual but a public health issue. 1 in 6 people are struggling with infertility.”

Important role of lifestyle

Sperm concentration in men has almost halved in the last 50 years. Along with environmental reasons, lifestyle factors are also playing a big role behind this, among which obesity and poor diet are the main ones. At the annual event of the Institut Benjamin Delsarte, held in Paris on January 31, 2025, Rachel Levy explained how changeable habits affect infertility and how good nutrition has the potential to improve fertility.

Research has revealed that there is a deep relationship between body mass index (BMI), diet and sperm quality. As BMI increases, fertility rates are declining across the world. In men undergoing medically assisted reproduction, overweight and obesity increase the risk of oligozoospermia and azoospermia, which reduce the chances of pregnancy and live birth.

How to maintain diet?

Diet directly affects the process of sperm formation. Many studies have revealed that adopting a Mediterranean diet improves sperm quality and fertility. Not only this, the father’s diet before conception can also affect the DNA methylation of sperm, which affects the development of the fetus.

Hormonal imbalance, oxidative stress, inflammation and epigenetic changes pose both risks and opportunities for improvement. The good thing is that in some cases these effects can also be reversed. A study found that regular physical activity and a balanced diet before conception improved metabolic and hormonal status, reduced sperm DNA damage and improved the antioxidant capacity of semen.

What to eat to increase fertility?

The Mediterranean diet has been most studied for reproductive health. It includes green leafy vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. Vegetables like spinach, kale, quinoa and oats, fish-eggs, pulses, avocado, nuts and olive oil are considered beneficial for fertility.

What things to avoid?

Too much processed food, refined sugar, excessive caffeine and alcohol can disturb the hormonal balance. Consuming trans fat and too much fried food also increases swelling.

Experts’ advice

Along with nutrition, adequate water, regular light exercise and reducing stress are also important. If you are facing difficulty in conceiving for a long time or have problems like PCOS, thyroid, then taking advice from a fertility specialist and nutritionist can be beneficial.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Till now people used to think that pollution only affects and makes our lungs, breath and heart sick, but according to a research, pollution is also affecting the fertility of men and women. The most frightening thing is that pollution is also having a serious impact on the pregnancy of women, due to which the cases of abortion in hospitals are increasing rapidly. Due to the polluted air of Delhi NCR and AQI reaching critical levels, miscarriage or abortion among women is increasing rapidly, which is a matter of great concern.

What came out in China’s report?

According to a report published in China, severe level of pollution is no less than a threat to women. It was told in the report that excessive exposure to pollution or living in a polluted place is having a harmful effect on both the quantity and quality of eggs in the ovaries of women, which also reduces the quantity of eggs.

Impact of pollution on women in Delhi NCR

Delhi NCR is one of the places most affected by pollution in India, where according to many doctors, the number of pregnant women in hospitals is increasing. Among these, pregnant women are coming with problems like cold, fever and cough, due to which many IVF surgeries are being canceled because problems like cold and cough are increasing in women.

Effect of pollution on AMH hormone

According to research, when a woman is exposed to pollution for a long time, the level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in that woman reduces significantly. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone that determines how many eggs are left in a woman’s ovaries. If the level of this hormone decreases in a woman, it means that there are very few eggs left in the ovary, which directly affects fertility. Why are PM 2.5 and NO2 more dangerous? The biggest reason for the decrease of this hormone is the severe amount of pollution. When the level of pollution in the environment becomes PM 2.5, PM 10 and PM 1 and the amount of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is high, the level of anti-Müllerian hormone in the body automatically reduces.

Hormonal imbalance and effect on menstruation

Women are most at risk of hormonal imbalance in the body due to their living or coming in contact with places with high air pollution, which can lead to disturbances in the menstrual cycle. If there are too many pollutants like PM 2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air, they have a harmful effect on progesterone and estrogen levels, which seriously impacts fertility.

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