Could water be affecting your fertility?
It is estimated that there are approximately 60,000 different chemicals which now contaminate our water supply. Wow! The human body is made up of 2/3rds water (that’s about 70%); so how many chemicals are your ingesting and COULD they be impacting on your fertility health?
Water affects fertility health
The average person requires approximately 2 litres of “pure” drinking water daily – more dependent on your exercise regime and lifestyle. Water is needed as a means for the nutrients to travel to all your organs including REPRODUCTIVE. Water is an essential aid to flush toxins from the body, hydrate and clean your body!
“If you don’t drink enough water, your reproductive system will lose out as the body ensures that the more vital organs receive what they need first.”
1. Water creates plump egg follicles and a strong blood supply to the womb lining. Directing more water to flow through your body stimulates circulation and improves egg health. Fertility exercise, massage and reflexology can also help to oxygenate the womb and support ovulation but without water the body will not be hydrated.
2. Cervical fluid – the stuff that helps the sperm find the egg – will be sluggish. Cervical mucus is a vital component to fertility and conception, see ovulation timing for more helpful support on this.
3. Hormonal imbalances are behind many fertility issues. Making sure you have enough water in your system enables your hormones to travel to the many places they’re needed throughout your body. Consider a Fertility MOT to assess your fertility health or buy the Creation Fertility Toolkit for inspiring natural fertility guidance to use at home
4. As an aid to detoxification. We are all exposed to toxins, environmental, emotional and physical. We all have toxins floating around our bodies some of which may be blocking our fertility. Drinking plenty of water helps remove these bad guys . Read Creation Guide to Dry Skin Brushing to support detoxification once you have increased your water intake!
5. Water helps maintain functional health. We need water to maintain organ health. Keeping these organs functioning properly when we are trying to conceive and during pregnancy is crucial to avoid kidney and liver disorders, both of which can increase the risk of pcos, ovulation imbalances, low mood, miscarriage, constipation and early labour.
6. Water affects sperm health – healthy sperm need water. Semen is composed of approximately 98 percent water. Therefore, when you are dehydrated sperm count will be lower. Read Supporting Sperm Health for more help here!
So what type of water supports fertility?
a 5 year study from Brunel University (2002) found sex changes in male fish in the UK rivers contaminated with synthetic man made oestrogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Tap water within the UK contains contaminates such as Bisphenol A (endocrine disruptor), xenoestrogens, birth control pills, hormone medications, bacteria, aluminium, lead, nitrates (such as nitrogen from fertilisers) and trihalamethanes which include chlorine to kill bacteria.
Some studies suggest a link between tap water and an increased risk of miscarriage¹. Millions of pregnant women were at a higher risk of miscarriage and birth defects in their babies as a result of exposure to the chlorine byproducts in their tap water.
Spring Water³: Spring water is defined as natural water which shall be collected from an underground source and have total dissolved solids content not exceeding 500 ppm. Spring water is characterized by its purity at source, its content of minerals and trace elements. Both natural mineral water and spring water must:
- Originate from a natural, protected and specific underground source
- Be bottled at source
- Be microbiologically safe to drink without treatment.
The main difference between natural mineral water and spring water is the requirement of natural mineral water to have a stable and characteristic mineral composition. The water must be free from contamination, the aquifers from which they are drawn must be unpolluted and the source protected.
Bottled or plastic bottled drinking water is neither spring water nor natural mineral water. It can come from a variety of sources, including municipal supplies.
Carbonated water contains chemicals and nitrates. Water bought in plastic containers increase the risk of cross-contamination from the plastics. Bottled water been left in a warm car is super dangerous. The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle (including Bisophenol A) which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue. One study found that heated water caused the rate of BPA to be released 15-55 times faster from plastic bottles than room temperature liquids.
Bisphenol A, found is most plastic products, mimics the effects of estrogen and interferes with all hormone levels, cell signaling systems and genetic messages. It has been found to increase the risk of reproductive health problems. In animal studies it has been shown to decrease sperm count and alter menstrual cycles. Adult cases of diabetes, heart disease and liver toxicity may be linked to BPA². It can be detected in the urine of 93% of the population.
6 water options to support fertility
Drink at least 2 litres of pure still filtered tap water or pure spring water daily.
Use glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic.
Consider investing in a water filter. Either use a filter jug found at most supermarkets or invest in an under sink filter system. Remember filter cartridges must be regularly changed to avoid contaminants.
Wash all vegetables and fruit in filtered water before consuming
When trying to conceive consider the Creation Guide to Thermotherapy for Hormonal Symptoms to support detoxification
Reduce your environmental toxicity by reading The Creation Fertility Guide to Environmental Toxins
Water Systems Comparisons
For types of water filters, Dr Mercola offers a useful article as does this website comparison of water treatments chart .
1 http://www.ewg.org/agmag/2009/09/chlorinated-tap-water-called-risk-pregnant-women
2 https://draxe.com/estrogen-epidemic-whats-in-your-water
3.http://www.naturalhydrationcouncil.org.uk
http://www.arhp.org/publications-and-resources/contraception-journal/august-2011
Disclaimer: Justine Evans ND is a registered naturopath and nutritional therapist. These opinions are suggestions and should not be considered advice. Justine does not accept any responsibility towards your health through reading this blog. If you have any concerns about your health please receive the advice of a health professional before applying any changes to your lifestyle programme
