Skip to content

Category: pregnancy and childbirth

Published on Leave a comment on Air Pollution and Male Fertility
Human sperm Credit: Wikipedia

Studies find that male fertility is diminishing, with sperm counts decreasing globally every year in the past few decades. Scientists have been searching why this is occurring, suggesting a number of possible causes (e.g., environmental pollutants, pesticides, microplastics, endocrine disruptors, lifestyle habits.).

Recent studies are suggesting that pollution, especially air pollution, may be also be contributing to the problem of reduced male fertility. Researchers are finding regional differences in sperm count and quality.

Two recent studies presented similar findings at the recent European Study of Human Reproduction this past week, with both finding that where you live could have a bigger effect on sperm count, sperm quality, and fertility than lifestyle habits. In other words, the pollution in the area you live (air pollution or other environmental contaminant) has an effect on fertility - that is, sperm count and quality. [Studies show that lifestyle habits are also important.]

From Medical Xpress: Men living in different regions show marked differences in sperm quality despite similar lifestyles, novel study finds

A new study has found substantial regional differences in sperm quality, with men in the highest-performing region recording almost double the total motile sperm count of those in the lowest-performing region. ...continue reading "Air Pollution and Male Fertility"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Safe

Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy actually linked or a cause of autism? A large recent study says NO - there is no link between acetaminophen (also called paracetamol) use during pregnancy and autism. Whew..

The long-running well-done study conducted in Hong Kong did NOT find a link with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the children born to women who took paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy. Dose taken and timing (taken early or late in pregnancy) did not change the results of the study. The study included 708,020 mother-child pairs (of these approximately 43.3% had prenatal paracetamol exposure). and they were studied for many years.

For years Tylenol was considered safe to take during pregnancy for pain and fevers. Apparently it is still safe.

From Medical Xpress: Should pregnant women worry about taking Tylenol? 20-year sibling-matched study finds no link to autism or ADHD

Tylenol (also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol) is one of the most widely used over-the-counter options for easing pain and reducing fever, including during pregnancy. More recently, safety concerns around use during pregnancy have gained attention, with claims of a possible link between prenatal exposure and autism in children increasingly appearing in news headlines and prime-time debates. ...continue reading "Study Finds Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Safe"

Published on Leave a comment on Many Studies Link A Commonly Used Pesticide To Health Harms

It has long been known that the pesticide chlorpyrifos has harmful health effects on humans, especially developing fetuses and children. Unfortunately, it is still in use.

A recent review of nearly 300 studies looking at chlorpyrifos found that the pesticide has harmful effects throughout the body, also causes DNA damage, harms children's brains and nervous systems, causes cancer.and that harmful effects are found at levels that are considered safe by the EPA. Unfortunately, more health harms are found each year.

While the pesticide is no longer allowed to be used for household use in the US (remember cans of Raid cockroach killer?), it is still allowed to be used on farms, in greenhouses, golf courses, and more. Keep in mind that industry-funded studies of chlorpyrifos have been used to shape federal policy and exposure limits for decades.

In other words, federal standards do not protect public health. Why is that not surprising?

Excerpts from the investigative journalism site U.S. Right To Know: Nearly 300 studies link the common pesticide chlorpyrifos to multi-organ damage, DNA disruption, and chronic disease 

Key findings:

    • A review of nearly 300 studies summarizes evidence that chlorpyrifos may harm multiple systems throughout the body, including the brain, hormones, liver, gut microbiome, muscles, reproductive organs, and bones.
    • The review describes DNA damage, chromosome instability, and epigenetic changes that may alter how genes function long after exposure.
    • Some harmful effects appear at exposure levels below those considered safe under current pesticide exposure testing standards.

...continue reading "Many Studies Link A Commonly Used Pesticide To Health Harms"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds That A Common Infant Procedure is Unnecessary
Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

For a while now mothers having trouble breastfeeding their infants have been blaming it on the infants having "tongue-tie"(upper lip frenulum). This then results in the infant having to go through a procedure of cutting the upper lip frenulum (located in the mouth).

A new study found that the procedure is usually unnecessary, and that the breastfeeding troubles instead seem to stem from the mother's inexperience with breastfeeding.

The researchers studied 264 mother-infant pairs and found no association between the anatomical characteristics of the upper lip frenulum and breastfeeding problems. What was more important was whether the mother had prior breastfeeding experience. Also, the researchers found that true tongue-tie is rare.

Other studies also find that true tongue-tie is rare. Decades ago the problem of tongue-tie was almost unheard of, yet nowadays it seems to be commonly blamed for any and all breastfeeding difficulties. Instead, the researchers suggest that first-time mothers attempting to breast feed their infants should be given support until breast-feeding goes smoothly.

Hopefully there soon will be a reduction in the number of these unnecessary procedures done.

From Medical Xpress: A common newborn procedure faces new scrutiny as evidence undercuts one widely blamed cause of breastfeeding trouble

A joint study by the University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital suggests that a newborn's upper lip frenulum is unlikely to be a major cause of breastfeeding difficulties. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed 264 mother–infant pairs at Oulu University Hospital between 2023 and 2024. Researchers assessed the anatomy and mobility of the upper lip frenulum in healthy, full-term infants and compared the findings with mothers' reported breastfeeding experiences. ...continue reading "Study Finds That A Common Infant Procedure is Unnecessary"

Published on Leave a comment on Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Not Linked to Increased Risk of Autism

This past year some officials in the US government have been stating that taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of autism in the child. Most researchers disagreed. A recent large Danish study that followed pregnant women adds to the evidence that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen does not increase the risk of autism.

The Danish researchers found that there is no increased risk of autism in children whose mothers took acetaminophen (Tylenoacetamin) during pregnancy. The study looked at more than 1.5 million children who had been exposed to acetaminophen prenatally. The researchers looked at dose-responses to see if there was an increased risk at different doses or if there was an increased risk during different trimesters - nope, there wasn't.

Interestingly, they found that the children not exposed to acetaminophen during prenatally had a slightly higher rate of autism (but not statistically significant): "Of 1.5 million children, 31,098 (2.1%) were exposed to prescription acetaminophen during pregnancy. A total of 554 exposed children (1.8%) were later diagnosed with autism, compared with 44,667 children (3.0%) in the unexposed group."

From Medical Xpress: A major pregnancy scare collapses: Tylenol shows no autism risk in more than 1.5 million children

Acetaminophen, which also goes by names like paracetamol or Tylenol, is a common over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It is often prescribed during pregnancy to help with mild to moderate pain. Recently, there has been a lot of discourse about its safety. Claims have been made suggesting that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of autism in children. ...continue reading "Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Not Linked to Increased Risk of Autism"

Published on Leave a comment on Babies Are Exposed to Forever Chemicals Before Birth

Pregnancy is a time when the developing baby is exposed to whatever the mother is exposed to. It turns out that this means pesticides (whether on food or in the yard or home) and "forever chemicals". Recent research found that newborns are born already exposed to many more "forever chemicals" (PFAS or per- and polyfluorinated substances) than previously believed.

In the study, the researchers identified 42 different PFAS in cord blood from 120 babies. So far other research has found some long-term effects from PFAS exposure before birth, such as lower birth weight, preterm birth, altered immune responses to vaccines, and metabolic changes.

PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substances) are commonly known as "forever chemicals" due to their buildup and persistence in people and the environment. They are of great concern because they are endocrine disruptors, have harmful health effects (e.g., cancer, kidney disease, fertility problems), and unfortunately are found in many products that people use daily.

There are thousands of these chemicals in use today. For example, they are found in any product using Teflon, in nonstick pots and pans, nonstick finishes, anti-stain finishes (e.g., in rugs and fabrics), some make-up (waterproof products), some dental floss, food packaging, fir-fighting foam, etc.

Bottom line: We can't avoid all exposures to environmental toxins, but we can lower our exposures, for example, by avoiding nonstick cookware (use stainless steel cookware or glass instead). [More tips on avoiding harmful chemicals.] This is especially important during pregnancy.

From Medical Xpress: Babies are exposed to more 'forever chemicals' before birth than previously known, new study finds

Babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed to many more "forever chemicals" before birth than scientists previously understood, according to new research published in Environmental Science & Technology. ...continue reading "Babies Are Exposed to Forever Chemicals Before Birth"

Published on Leave a comment on Breast Milk Can Contain Traces of Pesticides and Other Chemicals
Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

Breast milk is considered the best food for infants, but it can be contaminated with chemicals the mother is exposed to in daily life.

A group of scientists analyzed samples of breast milk from nursing mothers in Canada and South Africa for contaminants and found low levels of pesticides, parabens (endocrine disruptors in plastics), and bisphenols, including bisphenol A and S (endocrine disruptor) in many of the samples.

They published several research papers with their findings. They found contaminants, but at different levels, in the 594 breast milk samples of Canadians and South African women. Unfortunately, all breast milk samples showed some contamination - which can occur from personal care products, the packaging used in foods, in medications, household cleaning products, or even as a food additive.

For example, methyl paraben was detected in 96% of the Canadian human milk samples, followed by ethyl paraben (57%) and propyl paraben (37%). The pesticide propanil (an herbicide) was detected exclusively in South African breast milk samples, as was the antiretroviral drug Efavirenz used in HIV treatment.

BOTTOM LINE: The researchers stress that breast milk is the best food (the gold standard) for infants, but women should realize that chemicals they are exposed to do get into breastmilk. Therefore, try to avoid pesticides, read ingredient labels, and try to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.

From Newsweek: Scientists Discover Pesticide Traces in Breast Milk

Researchers at McGill University have identified several unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk, finding traces of pesticides, antimicrobials and additives used in plastics and personal‑care products.

The team said the data, drawn from Canadian and South African samples, could help strengthen chemical safety regulations and improve protections for infants and parents. ...continue reading "Breast Milk Can Contain Traces of Pesticides and Other Chemicals"

Published on Leave a comment on Male Sperm Counts Continue to Decline
Human sperm Credit: Wikipedia

When looking at the research, it is striking that so many chemicals that we are exposed to daily are harming us. Health harms include an increase in certain cancers (e.g., brain cancer and leukemia from certain pesticides) and reproductive effects. This can be seen clearly when research shows that sperm counts are declining globally 2.64% per year since 2000.

A recent report from HEAL (Health and Environmental Alliance in the European Union) found that along with this, infertility rates, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer are increasing. This is alarming!

HEAL’s report (author Dr. Cannarella) details alarming indications of catastrophe in male reproductive health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, crashing sperm counts, infertility, and numerous developmental problems including cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, and hypospadias. The report highlights pesticides, microplastics, phthalates, bisphenols, PFAS and heavy metals as the likely environmental sources of the crisis. There is evidence that all of these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) adversely affect male reproductive function.

Excerpts from the latest research on the drop in sperm counts globally and declines in male reproductive health, the science report from HEAL: Chemical pollution and men’s health: A hidden crisis in Europe

A 2023 meta-analysis by Levine et al. showed that global sperm counts declined by 52% between 1973 and 2018. European countries showed similar or even steeper declines, especially in Western and Southern Europe. ...continue reading "Male Sperm Counts Continue to Decline"

Published on Leave a comment on Weed-Killer Glyphosate and Cancer

Remember when back in 2015 the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) said that the pesticide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is a probable human carcinogen (cancer causing)? And the American chemical industry and FDA pooh-poohed that? Well, there have been a number of studies since then finding that yes, glyphosate results in tumors and other health harms, and is cancer causing (carcinogenic).

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide (weed killer), the most used herbicide in the world. Its use has been increasing annually, especially due to the increase in genetically modified crops being grown.

In the latest study, an international team of researchers found that long-term daily exposure (starting prenatally and continuing after birth) to low glyphosate levels considered "safe" by government agencies resulted in multiple benign and malignant tumors, and increased rates of early death in the rats after birth. Yes, the study was done with rats, but... they are mammals, just like us humans. Rats are frequently used in studies to assess chemical safety.

The doses used in the study are currently considered safe by regulatory agencies and correspond to the EU Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and the EU’s No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for glyphosate. By the way, European standards are STRICTER than USA standards. A person eating a typical diet with non-organic foods easily ingests the levels considered acceptable by European governing bodies, and in the US ingests even more. [NOTE: Eat organic foods to avoid glyphosate.]

From Environmental Health News: Common pesticide causes multiple malignant tumors in rats

In short: Exposure to glyphosate herbicides caused multiple benign and malignant tumors in rats, including leukemia and cancers of the skin, liver, thyroid, nervous system, ovary, uterus, and kidneys, among others. ...continue reading "Weed-Killer Glyphosate and Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Chemicals of Concern Found In the Bodies of Young Children

Once again, those wondering about the chemicals lurking inside us have bad news. In a long-running study, researchers tested 201 young children (aged 2 to 4 years old) and found that all of them have many dangerous chemicals ("chemicals of concern") in their bodies. Some of the chemicals were in higher levels in the children than in their mothers during pregnancy.

In this study pregnant women from 4 states had their urine analyzed, and later the urine of their children when they were 2 to 4 years old. The testing of blood and urine from a person and looking for certain chemicals is called biomonitoring.

The researchers only looked for  111 chemicals and found that at least 5 children had 96 of them detected in their urine. Over 50% of the children had 48 chemicals detected. Thirty four of the chemicals were detected in over 90% of the children. But keep in mind that they only looked for a limited number of chemicals. Some of the chemicals found are not being monitored in adult biomonitoring. Many chemicals we are routinely exposed to, such as the common pesticide glyphosate (found in many non-organic foods) were not looked at.

One trend the researchers found is that levels of 2,4-D (pesticide used as a herbicide or weed-killer) are trending upwards over time. This is because 2,4-D is commonly used as a weed-killer on lawns (including Feed and Weed) and elsewhere, but it is also used on genetically modified crops.

The 111 chemicals tested for are from the foods and beverages children (and adults) ingest, personal care products (e.g., soap, lotion), the chemicals used in the home (e.g., pesticides, cleaning products) or chemicals outgassing from products used in the home (e.g., from non-stain synthetic rugs, plastic toys, vinyl floors). Children are exposed to the chemicals when they breathe indoor and outdoor air, eat food, touch surfaces or objects - both indoors and outdoors.

Bottom line: Eat as many organic foods as possible (pesticides such as 2,4-D and glyphosate are not allowed in organic food production). Additional tips: Lifestyle tips for avoiding harmful chemicals.

Excerpts from Science Daily: Researchers tested 200 toddlers — 96 chemicals were lurking in their bodies

A national study published in Environmental Science & Technology finds children aged 2 to 4 years in the United States are routinely exposed to a broad range of potentially harmful chemicals. Many of the chemicals the researchers identified are not routinely monitored and may pose health risks. ...continue reading "Chemicals of Concern Found In the Bodies of Young Children"