Endocrine Disruptors - Common Chemicals That Severely Alter Your Hormones - Dr. Shanna Swan

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Concerns about Declining Sperm Counts and the Impact of Environment

Reproductive epidemiologist Shanna Swan is concerned about the rapid decline in sperm counts.
A 2017 paper by Swan and colleagues concluded that sperm counts have declined by one percent per year over the past 50 years.
An updated analysis, published recently, includes seven more years of data and reveals two important findings.
The first finding is that there is a significant decline in sperm concentration and count worldwide, including in South America, Africa, and Asia.
The second finding is that the rate of decline has more than doubled since the turn of the century, with a decline of 2.64 percent per year.
Genetic factors are unlikely to be the cause of this decline due to the rapid rate of change over two generations.
The focus is now on environmental factors, including chemicals, lifestyle choices (such as smoking and drinking), stress, obesity, exercise, and diet.

Factors Affecting Sperm Count

Lifestyle factors, such as diet, can affect sperm count.
Involuntary environmental factors, including heat and noise, can also impact sperm count.
Chemicals found in products we use and in our environment can interfere with hormone production, which is crucial for healthy sperm.
Chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols found in plastics can lower testosterone levels and potentially affect fertility.
Pesticides have also been shown to have negative effects on sperm count.

Impact of Chemical Exposure on Sperm Count and Fertility

Pesticide exposure in adult men can reduce sperm count to zero, but it can recover in about three months after stopping use.
Chemicals that alter the hormones of pregnant women can have long-lasting effects on the fetus and may not recover.
Both men and women are affected by these chemicals.
Adult exposure can be controlled, but prenatal exposure is more challenging to change.
The distance from the anus to the genitals, known as the ano-genital distance (AGD), is a marker of testosterone exposure in utero.
The AGD is larger in genetic males than genetic females, and insufficient testosterone during development can lead to a shorter AGD and feminization.
A shorter AGD in young men is associated with lower sperm count and increased infertility.
Chemicals like phthalates are linked to declining sperm count and fertility rates, with a decline of about one percent per year.

Consequences of Chemical Exposure on Reproductive Development and Population Growth

Exposure to chemicals can affect testosterone receptors, leading to under masculinization and impaired sperm production in boys.
Lower sperm counts can make it harder for couples to conceive a child.
Assisted reproduction may help in conceiving but does not completely reset the system.
Chemical exposure can also have consequences on brain development and overall health.
Men with low sperm counts have a higher risk of dying younger.
Decreased fertility rates can lead to a decline in population growth.
An inverted population pyramid, with a smaller younger population and a larger older population, can strain resources and support systems.
Countries with higher levels of education for women tend to have lower fertility rates, making it difficult to reverse the decline in population growth.

Concerns about Population Decline

Population decline can have negative consequences for society and the economy.
Limiting the ability to have children can be seen as a violation of basic human rights.
Population decline can also lead to the endangerment of species, as seen in smaller litters and population sizes in animals.
The lack of enough children to support the older population can become a social and economic burden.
Asian countries, like South Korea, are experiencing historically low fertility rates, which are not sustainable.
Social phenomena, such as renting family members and declining libido, are being observed in countries with population decline.

Factors affecting libido, testosterone, and sperm count

The decrease in libido, testosterone, and sperm count may not be deliberate, but rather a result of economic factors and addiction to certain products.
Manufacturers of plastics, pesticides, flame retardants, etc. contribute to the production of endocrine-disrupting chemicals due to the byproducts from fuel production.
Awareness alone may not lead to a significant change in product usage as people are creatures of habit and dependent on these products.
Finding safer alternatives and implementing regulations are necessary to address the issue and meet consumer demands.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been linked to disorders of sexual development, such as fused labia or micropenis.
Environmental chemicals can also impact partner choice and homosexuality, as seen in frogs exposed to atrazine.

Exploring Homosexuality, Gender Choice, and Environmental Chemicals in Animals and Humans

The Museum of Sex in New York has a floor dedicated to homosexuality in non-human animals, including frogs.
Some instances of homosexuality in animals may be naturally occurring, while others could be influenced by environmental chemicals.
Gender dysphoria, a condition where individuals feel they are in the wrong body, is more difficult to study in animals as it is based on self-perception and cannot be directly asked.
A study on the effects of chemical exposure in a woman's body before giving birth and its potential link to gender dysphoria has not been conducted but is crucial to understanding the issue.
The increase in reported cases of gender dysphoria may be due to greater awareness and acceptance rather than an actual increase in prevalence.
It is important to approach the topic without medicalizing or characterizing homosexuality or gender dysphoria as defects or problems, as individuals on the spectrum may embrace their identity and not consider it a negative aspect.
The asking of such questions about the causes of homosexuality and gender dysphoria carries political implications and should be approached with caution.

Tips for College Students Planning to Start a Family

Be mindful of what you consume and use in terms of food, drinks, air quality, and household products.
Consider the impact of chemicals on your body and reproductive health.
Men can consider banking their sperm for future use.
Regularly test sperm quality and take steps to improve it through lifestyle changes.
Women can check for conditions like open Fallopian tubes but cannot test their eggs directly.
Consult with a doctor to address any potential barriers or limitations to pregnancy.
Stay informed about the impact of chemicals on reproductive health.
Advocate for more research and resources dedicated to reproductive health.

Concerns about Declining Sperm Counts and Environmental Factors

Sperm counts have been declining by 1% per year over the past 50 years.
The rate of decline has more than doubled since the turn of the century, with a decline of 2.64% per year.
Genetic factors are unlikely to be the cause of the decline.
Environmental factors, including chemicals, lifestyle choices, stress, obesity, exercise, and diet, are being investigated.
Chemicals found in products and the environment can interfere with hormone production and lower testosterone levels.
Pesticides have negative effects on sperm count, but it can recover after stopping exposure.
Chemical exposure during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the fetus.
Ano-genital distance (AGD) is a marker of testosterone exposure in utero and can be affected by chemical exposure.
Decreased sperm count can make it harder for couples to conceive and may have negative health consequences.
Population decline due to lower fertility rates can strain resources and support systems.
Limiting the ability to have children may be seen as a violation of human rights.
Population decline can have negative consequences for society and the economy.
Asian countries, like South Korea, are experiencing historically low fertility rates.
Economic factors and addiction to certain products may contribute to the decrease in libido, testosterone, and sperm count.
Manufacturers should find safer alternatives and regulations to address the issue.

Understanding Homosexuality and Gender Dysphoria in Animals and Humans

The Museum of Sex in New York has a dedicated floor exploring homosexuality in non-human animals, including frogs.
Some instances of homosexuality in animals may occur naturally, while others could be influenced by environmental chemicals.
Studying gender dysphoria in animals is challenging due to its basis in self-perception, which cannot be directly asked.
A study on the potential link between chemical exposure in a woman's body before giving birth and gender dysphoria has not been conducted but is essential for understanding the issue.