They’re invisible, but they’re everywhere — and now, they’re showing up in human reproductive tissue.

Microplastics have been detected in ovarian tissue, placental tissue, testicular tissue, breast milk, and even in the ovarian follicular fluid that nurtures developing eggs. Micro- and nanoplastics have also been shown to cross biological barriers, including the placenta, and have been detected in fetal environments. 

While that may sound alarming, there’s also a powerful takeaway: your daily choices can reduce your exposure and protect your health.

Through our integrative care model, The Collab Way, we incorporate guidance on reducing toxic exposures into patient care — because small shifts can make a meaningful difference.

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, typically smaller than 5 millimeters, that are created as larger plastics break down or are manufactured at a microscopic size. They are now found throughout our environment — in water, food, air, and household products — making everyday exposure nearly unavoidable. Due to their persistence, plastics do not biodegrade but instead fragment into increasingly smaller particles over time. Many microplastics also contain chemicals such as BPA, a well-studied endocrine disruptor associated with hormonal dysregulation.

Because of their small size, microplastics can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Many also carry endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can interfere with hormone function and overall health.

Are microplastics harmful?

Research suggests that microplastics have wide-ranging effects on human health. Once inside the body, microplastics can trigger inflammation, carry toxic chemicals, and accumulate in tissues over time.

Many microplastics are associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as BPA and phthalates, which have been linked to hormone disruption, metabolic changes, and impacts on immune function.

While scientists are still working to fully understand the long-term effects, the growing body of evidence points to a simple conclusion: reducing exposure where possible is a prudent and proactive step for overall health.

How do microplastics impact fertility?

Microplastics are part of a broader category of environmental contaminants that are increasingly associated with declining reproductive health. Globally, infertility now affects an estimated 17.5% of couples, and a major meta-analysis has documented a 62.3% decline in total sperm count between 1973 and 2018.

A growing body of research, particularly in animal and laboratory models, demonstrates that microplastic exposure can affect reproductive function through several key mechanisms:

• Oxidative stress: Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cellular structures, DNA, and mitochondria
• Inflammation: Activation of inflammatory pathways within reproductive tissues
• Hormonal disruption: Altered levels of key reproductive hormones, including testosterone and estradiol
• Cellular and tissue-level changes: Impacts on ovarian tissue, granulosa cells, and sperm development

In male models, exposure to microplastics has been associated with:

• Reduced sperm motility
• Increased abnormal sperm morphology
• Decreased testosterone levels

In female models, studies have demonstrated:

• Reduced oocyte maturation
• Decreased fertilization potential
• Altered embryo development
• Hormonal changes and ovarian tissue damage

How to reduce microplastic exposure in daily life

The good news is that there are practical, common-sense steps you can take to reduce your exposure to microplastics and other toxic chemicals — from choosing glass or stainless steel over plastic, to being more mindful about food storage, and everyday household and personal care products.

Even small shifts can make a meaningful difference. In a pilot study featured in the documentary The Plastic Detox, six couples made targeted lifestyle changes to reduce chemical exposures. Within a short period of time, three couples conceived, and improvements in sperm counts were observed.

The Collab Way: addressing environmental exposures in fertility care

At Collab Fertility, emerging research on environmental exposures is translated into patient care through The Collab Way, our integrative, whole-person approach to fertility.

Every patient receives support that includes guidance on reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in food, personal care, and household products, along with fertility-safe product recommendations, practical swaps, and clear, actionable steps designed to reduce exposure without overwhelm. Additionally, patients benefit from personalized nutrition guidance and referrals to complementary care providers. 

This work is further supported by CLEAN, Collab’s dedicated center for environmental and reproductive health, which advances research, education, and the clinical application of environmental health science.

From microplastics to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, environmental exposures are considered alongside clinical diagnostics — particularly in cases where standard testing does not fully explain fertility challenges.

Reducing exposure is not about perfection. It’s about making informed, practical choices that support your health over time.

If you’re thinking about your fertility, or simply want to better understand how environmental factors may be impacting your health, our team is here to guide you with clear, personalized next steps. Reach out to us today.
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Dr. Thalia Segal is a leading San Francisco Bay Area fertility specialist, double board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology, with more than a decade of experience helping thousands of individuals and families build their futures. Her expertise includes fertility preservation (egg and embryo freezing), individualized IVF, preimplantation genetic testing, PCOS, recurrent pregnancy loss, and LGBTQ+ family building.

She founded Collab Fertility to expand access to high-quality East Bay fertility care. She created The Collab Way, an evidence-based integrative model that combines advanced reproductive medicine with personalized guidance on nutrition, reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and microplastics, and whole-person wellness support. She also established CLEAN (Collab’s Center for Lifestyle, Environmental Toxins, and Nutrition), an initiative advancing research and education on how environmental exposures impact reproductive health. 

Previously an Assistant Professor at the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health, Dr. Segal is a nationally recognized advocate and researcher in reproductive and environmental health. She authored the environmental health chapter in Yen & Jaffe’s Reproductive Endocrinology, serves on ACOG’s District IX State Legislative Committee, and mentors future physicians through the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI).

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