Product Swaps for Fertility: In, On & Around Your Body [EP 45]
Building a fertility-friendly environment doesn’t require a full lifestyle overhaul or endless product research—it starts with a few strategic, high-impact swaps. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact places to begin so you can lower endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure and protect your egg and sperm health with confidence. We’re using a simple, practical framework: what goes in your body, what goes on your body, and what goes around your body.
From cookware and food storage to underwear fabrics, dish soap, water filtration, fragrances, deodorants, and indoor air quality, this episode breaks down the swaps that matter most—and the ones that aren’t worth your stress. You’ll walk away knowing where to start, how to choose safer products, and which daily habits help reduce toxic load while supporting healthy cycles, implantation, and better reproductive outcomes.
“Protecting egg and sperm health starts with reducing the exposures you can control.”
“Every swap you make lowers the burden on your reproductive system—small changes truly add up.”
What You’ll Learn:
How everyday EDCs (BPA, BPS, phthalates, PFAS, parabens) impact ovarian function, sperm health, implantation, and IVF outcomes
The cookware materials that protect fertility—and why nonstick pans are a hidden exposure source
How plastic food storage and heating increase BPA migration (and what to use instead)
The most important water-filtering steps for reducing PFAS and chlorine exposure
Why thermal paper receipts are a major source of BPA/BPS absorption
The safest swaps for laundry detergent, dish soap, and home cleaning products
How fragrance in personal care products disrupts hormones
Which fabrics positively or negatively affect reproductive health
The safest sunscreen, lotion, and deodorant choices for preconception
How candles, air fresheners, and indoor dust influence hormone health
The simple home-air improvements that immediately lower toxic burden
Practical, budget-friendly ways to start swapping without overwhelm
“If it touches your food, your skin, or your air, it’s worth choosing the safer option.”
Product Swaps:
Cookware Swaps
Cast iron
Stainless steel
Enameled cast iron
Remove all nonstick pans when possible; avoid “PFOA-free” labels that still contain PFAS
Food Storage
Glass containers
Stainless steel containers
Silicone freezer bags
Never heat plastic; avoid storing hot or acidic foods in plastic
Dish & Laundry Products
Truly Free (dishwasher detergent, dish soap, laundry products)
Molly’s Suds (laundry)
Personal Care
Mineral sunscreen: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Paraben-free, fragrance-free lotions
Fragrance-free, aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant
Primally Pure (skincare)
Crunchi + Araza (makeup)
Clothing / Fabrics
Organic cotton underwear
Natural-fiber bras
Looser boxer-style underwear for men
Avoid polyester blends, especially for garments directly over reproductive organs
Home Environment
Fragrance-free cleaning products
Avoid scented candles and air fresheners
Open windows 10–15 minutes daily
Wet dusting and vacuuming
Replace old foam furniture when possible
“Your fertility thrives when your environment stops working against your hormones.”
References:
Reviews & human data on EDCs and fertility: phthalates, BPA, PFAS, parabens. ScienceDirect+5PMC+5PMC+5
Cookware/PFAS prevalence. Ecology Center
Thermal paper → skin absorption of BPA/BPS. PubMed+1
BPA migration rises with heat; prefer glass/stainless for hot foods. PMC+2PubMed+2
Mineral sunscreens to avoid endocrine-active UV filters. ScienceDirect
Fragrance-free laundry with EPA Safer Choice. EPA
Boxers vs briefs (male fertility). OUP Academic
Dust control recommendations (HEPA, damp dust). NIH News in Health
Links Mentioned:
Get my FREE Fertility Meal Plan
Transcript:
Welcome back to the Fertility Dietitian Podcast. In Episode 13 of Season 1, we began talking about detox foundations for fertility. Today, we’re taking that conversation deeper by covering the heavy-hitter swaps that help create a fertility-friendly environment from the inside out. These are the changes that most significantly support egg and sperm health, improve implantation potential, and strengthen your overall reproductive environment.
We’ll walk through a simple framework: what goes in your body, what goes on your body, and what goes around your body. You’ll hear practical swaps, brand ideas, and budget-friendly steps so you can start making meaningful changes—without overhauling your entire life all at once.
What Goes In Your Body
When we talk about what goes in your body, we’re talking about food, water, cookware, food storage, and anything your food comes into contact with.
This matters because everyday chemicals—known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—mimic or interfere with hormone function. The most common include bisphenols (BPA/BPS), phthalates, and PFAS. Higher exposure is linked to altered ovarian reserve, lower implantation rates, reduced semen quality, and poorer IVF outcomes.
Cookware Swaps
Your pots and pans are major exposure sources.
Avoid nonstick cookware, which often contains PFAS—even when labeled “PFOA-free.” PFAS exposure is consistently associated with reduced fertility.
Choose instead:
Cast iron
Stainless steel
Enameled cast iron
If you keep a single nonstick pan for eggs, use only low heat and replace it when scratched—but ideally, ditch nonstick entirely.
Food Storage Swaps
Heat and acidity dramatically increase chemical leaching from plastic.
Avoid storing hot or acidic foods in plastic containers. Never microwave food in plastic.
Choose instead:
Glass storage containers
Stainless steel
Silicone freezer bags
Water Quality
Filter your water—municipal and well. Town filtration does not remove everything, especially persistent PFAS compounds. Check your local water report and update filters accordingly. If you have well water, test it periodically since seasonal changes alter groundwater chemistry.
Thermal Paper Receipts
Thermal paper contains bisphenols that absorb easily through the skin.
When possible, choose digital receipts. If you must handle a thermal receipt, minimize contact or use gloves. Drop it into a bag or pocket and avoid prolonged handling.
Whole Foods & Meal Prep
Prioritize whole foods over packaged ones to reduce cumulative EDC exposure.
Batch cooking reduces reliance on packaged meals, excess storage containers, and repeated reheating.
What Goes On Your Body
This includes fragrance, lotions, deodorant, sunscreens, underwear, clothing, and laundry/dish products. These are daily exposures that add up quickly.
Dish Soap & Dishwasher Detergent
Because dishes touch your food, these products function as “in your body” exposures.
Look for endocrine-safe formulas such as Truly Free, which also offers safer dishwasher options.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry products matter because you spend all day and night in fabrics coated with detergent residue. Good safer brands include:
Truly Free
Molly’s Suds
Fabrics & Underwear
Synthetic fabrics—especially polyester blends—have negative reproductive effects in both men and women. Studies in animals show polyester worn over reproductive organs reduces fertility, which returns to normal once the fabric is removed.
Prioritize natural fabrics, especially for:
Underwear
Bras
Sleepwear
Bedding
Opt for organic cotton when possible, and choose looser, breathable boxers for men to support optimal scrotal temperature.
Fragrance
Fragrance is typically a “black box” mixture of chemicals that does not require disclosure. Many contain phthalates, which negatively impact ovarian and uterine function and lower semen quality.
Choose fragrance-free products or essential-oil–based options.
Check fragrance in shampoos, lotions, deodorants, and makeup.
Lotions
Anything applied to skin is absorbed.
Look for:
Paraben-free
Fragrance-free
Sunscreen
Choose mineral-based filters such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Avoid UV filters like oxybenzone and benzophenone, which have endocrine-disrupting activity. Also ensure your sunscreen is fragrance-free.
Deodorant
Your armpits sit over major lymph nodes—what you apply absorbs easily.
Skip aluminum-based antiperspirants, which block sweat and burden detox pathways.
Choose deodorants that are:
Aluminum-free
Paraben-free
Fragrance-free
And remember: deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not for fertility health.
What Goes Around Your Body
This includes air quality, household dust, candles, air fresheners, and surface cleaners.
Air Fresheners & Candles
Synthetic fragrance in air fresheners and candles is a major source of phthalate exposure.
Choose natural alternatives and improve ventilation regularly.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor spaces accumulate off-gassed chemicals from paint, flooring, furniture, and flame retardants.
Support air quality by:
Opening windows 10–15 minutes daily
Spending more time outdoors
Choosing cleaner-burning candles or essential-oil diffusers
Dust
Household dust concentrates endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including phthalates and flame retardants.
Reduce exposure by:
Wet dusting
Vacuuming regularly
Opening windows
Replacing older foam furniture when possible
Final Thoughts
This topic can feel overwhelming—but small changes truly matter.
Start by replacing products as you run out. Each swap reduces your overall exposure burden.
Look for credible labels such as fragrance-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free. Apps like Yuka can help identify safer options.
For makeup and skincare, brands like Crunchi, Araza, and Primally Pure are excellent cleaner alternatives.
If you suspect your detox pathways need more support, or you’ve had long-term exposure, I’d love to help you identify what your body needs to reduce toxic load and support fertility.