So you get up in the morning, moaning and groaning, clawing for that first cup of coffee…oops! Already, one thing you may be doing to undermine your fertility.
Another very simple choice that can have huge fertility consequences is the boxers versus briefs question. Elevated temperatures KILL sperm. For any man trying to maximize his fertility, any type of tight fitting undergarment (including Speedos) is out.
One of the problems in our modern lives is that we use so many products in our lives, and it’s not as if the manufacturers really sit down and worry about if their products may be impeding your fertility. Unfortunately, that is your job.
Let’s take something as ubiquitous as tampons. Convenient, sanitary, etc., etc. Convenient, maybe, but its very “sanitary”-ness (i.e., the bleaches that make them white) make them very bad for fertility. Most “sanitary” products are bleached with chlorine, something that’s not good for your health in general and does not promote a sperm-friendly environment.
AND, if you recall the toxic shock syndrome scandal that resulted in fatalities from tampon use, you can see that this is not a benign product. It was thought that the synthetic fiber in the tampons caused small abrasions in the vagina, and the hyper absorbency of the product allowed for the breeding of deadly bacteria.
From a fertility standpoint, it is also thought that through this same mechanism, that the shedding of these chlorine-bleached fibers inside the vagina may interfere with conception and male genital health.
To be on the safe side, my suggestion would be to use organic, unbleached (or, hydrogen peroxide-bleached) cotton tampons, if you want to continue to use tampons.
Or, an even better (sustainable!) option is to use sea sponges. They are soft, natural, and reusable. You can usually find sea sponges (natural sponges only, please!) in your local health food store, often in the cosmetics section. Also, a small, environmentall-conscious company called Jade and Pearl sells prewashed, appropriately sized sponges in a little kit, with care instructions.
Related posts:
