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If you've been using the NFP program then you are already know about the dangerous link between phthalates and fertility. Recent studies have made the link between phthalates and infertility even more conclusive. Dr. Grindler who conducted the study said that phthalates can speed up menopause by 2.3 and 15 years! That means if menopause on average takes place around 51 some women could experience it already in their late 30s! Phthalates can predispose to poor egg quality, poor implantation rates and early menopause.

A study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embyology found that phthalates are linked to implantation failure in couples undergoing IVF. If you've been trying to get pregnant naturally for some time and you know you are ovulating, your partner's sperm is healthy and you got the timing right, but no pregnancy takes place phthalates exposure may be to blame, predisposing you to implantation failure.

What are Phthalates?

They are plasticizers used to make plastic flexible. They are also xenoestrogens (substances which behave like estrogen once they get into your body) and endocrine disruptors which disrupt your hormones and predispose men and women to infertility, early menopause in women, low sperm counts in men, testicular atrophy and structural abnormality of the male reproductive system. In addition they predispose to estrogen dependent cancers in both men and women, asthma and eczema and rhinitis in children. They are hard to identify as they are often only referred to on the product labels as 'fragrance'.

Some names Phthalates go by on the product labels:

BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate)
DEP (diethyl phthalate)
DIDP (diisodecyl phthalate)
DINP (diisononyl phthalate)
DMP (dimethyl phthalate)
DEHP (di 2-ethylhexl phthalate)
DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate)
DBP (dibutyl phthalate)

Where are Phthalates found?

Personal care products
Perfume
Air fresheners
Eye shadow
Moisturisers
Nail polish
Liquid soap
Detergents
Hair spray
Make up
Food containers
Cans
Food wrappers
Children's toys
Pesticides
Solvents
Floor products
Textiles
Sex Toys made from so called 'jelly rubber'
Glues
Paint
Printing ink
Building materials
And in many more products!

10 Ways to stay away from Phthalates

Buy only natural personal care products - we recommend Miessence.
Avoid bottled water - only water bottled in glass is safe
Don't eat canned food and processed food wrapped in plastic
Buy phthalate free makeup - use Miessence instead.
Avoid plastic containers to store your food - use glass ones only
Don't use plastic flooring, and furniture that's been plasticized
Avoid commercial perfumes - use Miessence or natural oils
Don't buy plastic toys for your children and pets
Switch to natural household cleaning products
Avoid pesticides and buy organic whenever you can

While it may be difficult or even impossible to completely avoid phthalates by all means reduce your exposure to them as much as you can.

Drop us a line on your thoughts about phthalates! Which phthalate free products are you using?






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References:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-07/esoh-aeo070213.php
http://www.ewg.