New Delhi: If you are a woman and are planning to conceive, then take care of the things around you.

A recent study showed that household products such as vinyl flooringlubricating oil, and personal Care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays) can lower your chances of getting pregnant, because they can change Reproductive hormonesand increases inflammation and oxidative stress. However, no consistent association with pregnancy loss was observed.

Study done by University of Massachusetts Amherst Environmental and Reproductive EpidemiologistRecently published Journal Environmental Health perspective, said that the former and preconception period may represent a sensitive window for intervention to limit reproductive toxicity Of Phthalate Exposure,

In light of these findings, doctors across the city say it is important for women planning to conceive to be mindful of their environment and try to minimise exposure to phthalates, a group of chemicals. The toxins can act through swallowing, inhalation or direct contact through the skin.

Dr Tripati Sharan, Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre for Women’s Health, BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital, said, “Exposure to chemicals and toxins can pose reproductive risks to women.” Explaining this, she said that reproductive risks can affect hormones and ovarian function, leading to menstrual problems, delayed pregnancy, decreased fertility, premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. However, further research is needed on the dosage and duration of exposure, so that they can be used safely.

Advising to move towards phthalate-free options or organic alternatives, Dr Rashmi Baliyan, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at Primus Superspeciality Hospital, said, “Women planning pregnancy should be cautious about their product choices. It is advisable to follow a holistic approach to pre-conception care, including a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise and stress management.”

Expressing similar views, Dr Ruby Sehra, Unit Head and Senior Consultant, Gynecology and Obstetrics at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said, “Choosing phthalate-free personal care products, choosing natural cleaning agents and avoiding excessive use of vinyl-based products are practical steps.” She further added that despite the potential impact on pregnancy, it is important that studies have not shown any association with pregnancy loss, which provides some reassurance to women who are already pregnant.

“For women facing challenges conceiving, it is important to consider lifestyle factors, including exposure to environmental chemicals such as phthalates,” said Dr Pankaj Verma, senior consultant, internal medicine, Narayana Hospital. He added that despite the challenge of controlling exposure due to the ubiquitous nature of phthalates, acknowledging their proven negative impact on women’s reproductive health suggests the potential utility of selective restrictions, without necessarily advocating a blanket ban.

According to the researchers, phthalates act as endocrine disruptors and have been systematically shown to increase inflammation and oxidative stress. They further added that the body breaks down phthalates into metabolites that are excreted in the urine and can be analyzed. The researchers measured 20 phthalate metabolites in urine samples from study participants.

They found that three of the main compounds were most strongly associated with longer time to pregnancy, although they found that the phthalates they studied had a general trend towards longer time to pregnancy. The effect was greater if exposure was higher.