Microplastics and Fertility: Is It Time to Panic?

Earlier this year, researchers in Italy published a study that made headlines in both scientific and fertility communities: for the first time, microplastic particles were detected in the ovarian follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF.

Around the same time, separate research out of China and the University of New Mexico identified microplastic particles in human testicular tissue. Suddenly, a concept that once felt abstract—plastic pollution affecting our oceans—has become deeply personal. We’re talking about the literal presence of plastic in the tissues where eggs and sperm are created.

But how much do we really know?

Can microplastics actually impair fertility?

And what should you do about it?

I’m Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a double-board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility (REI) specialist practicing in New York City. I use this blog, along with my Instagram account and monthly newsletter, to help you cut through fear, fad advice, and fertility misinformation—with scientifically grounded answers and real clinical insight.

Let’s break down what microplastics are, how they may be interfering with reproductive health, what current research says, and what steps you can take today to protect your fertility.

🧬 What Are Microplastics—And How Could They Impact Reproduction?

Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic (less than 5mm in size) that result from the breakdown of larger plastic products—water bottles, clothing fibers, packaging, and more. These particles enter our bodies through ingestion (food, water), inhalation (dust), and skin exposure.

Once inside, they can travel through the bloodstream and deposit in tissues. In animal studies, they’ve been shown to trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption—all of which are key factors in reproductive function.

But until recently, we hadn’t seen proof that these particles made it all the way to human reproductive tissue.

👩‍🔬 Microplastics and Female Fertility

When it comes to female fertility, researchers are only beginning to understand how microplastics may interfere with the intricate hormonal and cellular processes involved in egg development, ovulation, and embryo implantation.

In 2025, researchers conducting the aforementioned study in Italy made headlines: they identified microplastics, primarily polyethylene and PVC, in the follicular fluid of 14 out of 18 women undergoing IVF. This was the first time microplastics had been physically found in the ovarian environment of human patients. While this study didn’t prove a causal link between the presence of microplastics and IVF outcomes, it did observe a correlation between higher microplastic concentrations and elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels—a potential marker of ovarian stress or diminished reserve.

This doesn’t mean microplastics directly harm egg quality—but it certainly raises important questions about whether these particles might be interfering with the finely tuned hormonal signaling required for healthy ovulation and fertility.

Animal studies offer further insight. Research on mice exposed to microplastics has shown impaired follicle development, increased oxidative stress in ovarian tissue, and disruptions to estrogen and progesterone balance—factors that are central to female fertility.

Another concern is that microplastics can act as carriers for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like BPA and phthalates, known to negatively impact female reproductive health. These chemicals can mimic or block hormones, potentially affecting ovulation and endometrial receptivity. For instance, studies have shown that phthalate exposure is associated with disruptions in ovulatory function and hormonal imbalances.

🧔 Male Fertility: The Other Half of the Equation

We often talk about fertility in the context of female biology, but the male side of the equation is just as susceptible to environmental exposures—and recent research is proving that microplastics may be a hidden factor.

In a landmark 2024 study conducted by researchers in China and the University of New Mexico, microplastics were detected in 100% of human testicular tissue samples from 23 post-mortem donors, as well as in 47 canine testes. Published in Toxicological Sciences, the study also found that dogs with higher microplastic concentrations had significantly lower sperm counts, suggesting a possible impact on spermatogenesis.

Another study out of China, found microplastics in all six human testicular tissue samples and in 28 out of 30 semen samples examined. These findings underscore the pervasive nature of microplastic exposure—and raise red flags about its potential to compromise male fertility.

Building on this, a 2024 study published in EBioMedicine assessed 113 men and found a clear association: higher microplastic exposure was correlated with decreased sperm concentration and motility.

While these studies stop short of proving causation, the signal is consistent—and concerning.

From a clinical perspective, I’ve seen many men with unexplained suboptimal semen analyses that don’t improve with lifestyle tweaks or supplements. In these cases, environmental toxins like endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—which are often carried on or released by microplastics—are likely playing a role.

🔍 Summarizing What the Latest Research Shows

Below is a snapshot of what key studies have told us about how the chemicals common in microplastics can affect your reproductive health. However, it’s important to understand what this data does, and doesn’t, tell us. Most of what we know about how microplastics and their associated chemicals affect fertility comes from animal studies, cell culture experiments, or population-level observational data. These studies are incredibly useful for uncovering biological mechanisms, like hormone disruption or oxidative stress, that could plausibly interfere with fertility.

But they don’t definitively prove that microplastics cause infertility in humans. That level of certainty requires large-scale, long-term, controlled human studies—which we simply don’t have yet.

So think of this chart as a snapshot of the early scientific signals that are guiding ongoing research. It’s not meant to alarm you, but to inform and empower you with the context to make smarter choices while we wait for stronger clinical evidence to emerge.

Chemical	Found in	Confirmed Reproductive Effects
BPA	Cans, plastic bottles	Disrupts reproductive hormone signaling; impairs oocyte maturation. (ScienceDirect)
Phthalates	Fragrance, vinyl, packaging	Associated with decreased sperm quality and altered male hormone levels. (PubMed)
PFAS	Nonstick pans, waterproof fabrics	Associated with reduced fecundability and lower odds of clinical pregnancy and live birth in women trying to conceive. (PubMed)
PVC	Plastic wrap, shower curtains	Accumulates in ovarian tissue; linked to cell damage and potential carcinogenicity. (X-Ray Spectrometry)
Polystyrene	Foam containers, packaging	Induces oxidative stress and inflammation in reproductive tissues (animal models) (ScienceDirect)

How You Can Reduce Your Risk?

The good news? You can take action. While we can’t eliminate all environmental exposure, here are simple, effective steps to reduce your microplastic and EDC load:

• Replace plastic food containers with glass or stainless steel.
• Don’t microwave food in plastic—heat increases leaching.
• Choose fragrance-free personal care and cleaning products.
• Filter your water with a carbon or reverse osmosis system.
• Avoid heavily packaged or processed foods where possible.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about making better choices where we can. And the best part? These swaps benefit your overall health, too—not just your fertility.

Bottom Line: So, Do Microplastics Affect Fertility?

The short answer? We don’t know for sure yet, but early evidence is starting to connect the dots.

Charting a direct cause-and-effect line between microplastics and fertility outcomes in humans is incredibly difficult. That’s why most of the current research is still considered early or inconclusive. But “inconclusive” doesn’t mean unimportant. In fact, the research we do have is showing consistent biological signals—from hormonal disruptions in animal models to microplastics showing up in the tissues where eggs and sperm are developing.

In my practice, I always say: when it comes to fertility, it’s all about stacking the odds in your favor. If you’re already dealing with the challenges of age, ovarian reserve, or sperm quality—why add another variable that could quietly be tipping the scales?

Reducing microplastic exposure is not about fear or perfectionism. It’s about controlling the controllables. We may not have all the answers yet, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait for absolute proof to start making better, low-risk choices. If this post helped clarify some of your questions, follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my newsletter. I break down fertility science in real time—so you never feel left in the dark when it comes to your reproductive health.