Plastic Hazards For Women's Health And Fertility

Illustration of the use of plastic (Freepic)

JAKARTA - The excessive use of plastic is a serious threat to human health and the environment. In addition to polluting the ecosystem, plastic also has a negative impact on hormonal health and human reproduction.

Hazardous chemicals in plastic can enter our bodies without realizing it, affect hormonal balance and threaten fertility, especially in women.

A fertility specialist, Dr. Rashmi Agarwal of Nova IVF Fertility, Gurugram, reveals the continued use of plastic can bring endocrine disruptive chemicals into everyday life. This risks threatening the hormonal health and fertility of women as a whole.

According to various studies, many types of plastics release harmful substances known as endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDC). This substance can interfere with the estrogen hormone balance in the body and has a negative impact on women's fertility.

Disorders due to EDC not only affect fertility, but can also leave a long-term impact on menstrual and reproductive health. Long-term exposure to these substances has been linked to irregular menstruation cycles, increased estrogen levels, and ovulation cycle disorders that can make it difficult for women to get pregnant.

In addition, this substance also contributes to the decrease in the quality of eggs, ovarian function disorders, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage and complications during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Chemical substances such as BPA and phthalate contained in plastic are also associated with diseases such as endometrosis and polyxycistic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), both of which can have a negative impact on women's fertility.

In fact, young girls who have been exposed to EDC from an early age are at risk of early retirement, which can affect their fertility in the future. The high levels of BPA and blood flow phthalates can also increase the risk of PCOS which ultimately causes infertility.

To minimize the risks posed by plastic, Dr. Rashmi suggests avoiding the use of plastic in everyday life. The choice of alternative ingredients such as glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free materials can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

In addition, avoiding storing food in plastic containers or heating it in the microwave can reduce chemical leakage into food. Consumption of organic and intact food, which is less likely to be packaged in plastic, can also help limit the exposure.

Furthermore, advocacy for legal guidelines that limit harmful chemical compounds in plastic needs to be encouraged.

Public education about materials used in general goods can be an important step to encourage greater cultural changes for better health results.

Reducing dependence on plastic is not only about protecting the environment, but also an important step to maintain the hormonal health and reproduction of women.

By choosing safer materials and supporting wider cultural changes, we can create a healthier and more sustainable future.