Fertility and Heavy Metals

The presence of heavy metals in our environment is a danger to the fertility of women and men. But what is a heavy metal? Heavy metals are metallic elements with a relatively high density. These materials also tend to be toxic at low concentrations. They present dangers to the health and fertility of anyone working around them or encountering them in their daily lives. Heavy metals include:

• Arsenic 
• Cadmium
• Cobalt
• Chromium
• Copper
• Iron (excessive) 
• Lead
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Silver
• Selenium
• Mercury
• Nickel 
• Vanadium 
• Zinc

The platinum group of elements, which includes platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium, are considered heavy metals and can be toxic to humans. 

Effects of Heavy Metals on Fertility 

Heavy metal exposure reduces fertility in men by altering the content of sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBP), which damages DNA. In addition, men exposed to heavy metals show lower sperm motility. 

In women, regular exposure to heavy metals can cause infertility, menstrual disorders, endometriosis, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer, among other illnesses. Exposure can also cause neurodevelopmental problems in the children of pregnant women exposed to them. These problems can affect children throughout their lives. 

Heavy Metals in the Workplace

People working in certain industries are more susceptible to encountering and being exposed to these materials. Industries that use and expose their employees to these heavy metals regularly include:

• Construction workers
• Miners
• Smelters or metal refiners
• Gun range employees
• Stained glass artists 
• Battery and electronics recycling workers
• Welders

However, many other industries expose their employees to heavy metals occasionally or incidentally. If you’re trying to conceive, you should investigate whether you’re being exposed to heavy metals on either a regular or occasional basis in the workplace, especially if you’re having trouble conceiving. 

Ways to Reduce or Eliminate Exposure

Heavy metals can enter your body through respiration, swallowing, or absorption through the skin. Frequent handwashing with lead-removing soap and the use of PPE, including gloves, protective clothing, and a respirator, are necessary habits in heavy metal environments. Be sure to learn the correct use of a respirator.   

Never eat food left uncovered in a known heavy metal environment. When you leave work for the day, avoid bringing the metals into your home environment by changing your clothes and shoes before entering your car or home. The floor mats of a car can collect heavy metals from the bottom of work shoes, so have another pair of shoes to wear in the car and leave work shoes at work.

Ensure Your Fertility at VFC Infertility Clinic

Vejthani Hospital’s VFC Infertility Clinic offers a range of fertility treatments and tests to ensure you have the best chance of a successful conception.  

In many cases, the road to a successful conception starts with a fertility test for couples, which will reveal any exposure to heavy metals in both men and women. It can also reveal other problems you may be experiencing in trying to conceive. In men, these problems can include: 

• Poor sperm quality or a low sperm count
• Genetic disorders 
• Blockages in the reproductive tract
• Hormonal imbalances
• Infections
• Lifestyle factors

In women, the reproductive issues can include:

• Ovulation disorders
• Endometriosis
• Fallopian tube blockage or damage
• Cervical or uterine abnormalities
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
• Lifestyle factors

If lifestyle habits are an issue, we can recommend alternatives that improve your overall health. VFC Infertility Clinic can find the reason for your infertility and advise you on how to improve your chances of conception. We also offer a full range of IVF treatments that increase your conception chances and provide options after pregnancy, such as cryopreservation. These services include:

• IVF/ICSI Treatment
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• Surgical Sperm Retrieval (SSR)
• Cryopreservation (Egg and Sperm Freezing)
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)

These treatments offer the best means known to science of increasing your chances of a successful conception. Make an appointment with the V Fertility Center if you’re concerned about heavy metals affecting your fertility or want to know more about our services.

References:

About Reproductive Health in the Workplace – 4/30/25

Impact of Heavy Metals on Human Male Fertility—An Overview – 4/30/25

Heavy Metal – 4/30/255