You and your significant other are going through the processes and expense involved in IVF. The last thing you would ever want to do is jeopardize your chances of conception by inadvertently affecting your sperm in an adverse way. Because of this you should know that through the use of common personal hygiene and skin care products you can become exposed to chemicals called Parabens. Parabens in most soaps and sunscreens are linked to abnormal sperm. Check the labels.
What are Parabens
Parabens are antibacterial and preservative chemicals that can be found in most brands of soap, skin lotions, deodorants, hair care products, lipstick, and sunscreen. These Parabens have been show to have negative effects on sperm cells such as abnormal morphology (misshapen and/or unusual sized), often leading to infertility in the most severe cases.
Other effects of Parabens on fertility
Parabens have also been shown to mimic the hormone estrogen. It has been shown that elevated levels of estrogen in men can lead to low sperm count and infertility. How do you know if the products you are using contain Parabens? Read the label.
Many of the most common Parabens will have the word Paraben within the chemical name. A few examples of this are the chemicals methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Parabens are also often listed in the ingredients as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.
What else is lurking within those personal hygiene products
Besides the Parabens, there are other harmful chemicals lurking in your personal hygiene products. One of these is sulfates. Sulfates have been shown to break down proteins. Since the cellular membranes are made of proteins, this has a very negative effect on them. What this means is that basically the sperm or egg cells are being damaged by the use of products that contain sulfur.