Chemicals and fertility; how do BPA & DES effect your reproduction?

When the original BPA drama began, I shrugged it off. I have been using a Nalgene bottle for about a decade now (not the same one!) and love the functionality of it. It's shatter-proof, lightweight, big enough to hold a 1/4-gallon of water and doesn't spill down the front of my shirt while I try to drink. Then I started reading the studies about BPA (and DES) and have started to rethink what I'm drinking out of. There are thousands of studies on the BPA exposure one gets from drinking from the water bottles containing the chemical, and as much as I love mine, I may be switching to the stainless steel versions soon.

A recent study done with the sexual function of male rodents has shown that BPA (Bisphenol A) and DES (diethylstilbestrol) have the opportunity to "disrupt normal hormone functioning" which leads researchers to believe that low-level exposure to BPA and or DES may also have the same effect on humans.
BPA Factoids:
oftentimes found in plastic containers like water bottles and food storage containers
it is an endocrine disruptor (mimicking the body's own hormones)
obesity may be increased after perinatal exposure
perinatal exposure may also be linked to breast cancer due to xenooestrogens
infant brain development may be stunted due to exposure especially when it comes to memory, learning and mood
the dopaminergic system may be disrupted (creating opportunity for super-sensitivity to drugs)
in 2007, BPA was shown to possibly bind to a thyroid hormone receptor
the recent 2009 study finds "ovary anomalies from exposition as low as 1 µg/kg, concluded that BPA exposure causes long-term adverse reproductive and carcinogenic effects if exposure occurs during prenatal critical periods of differentiation"

DES Factoids:
a synthetic estrogen
used to treat certain pregnancy complications between 1938 and 1971
linked to an uncommon vaginal/cervical cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma
daughters of women (and the women themselves) who took DES during pregnancy may have an increased risk of breast cancer

About two years ago, most plastic bottle manufacturers were sure to remove BPA-containing bottles from their product lines, but if you have a plastic bottle that you're wary about, my recommendation is to contact the manufacturer or get a new water bottle or stainless steel container (without the plastic liner).

How to avoid BPA:
replace plastic food & beverage containers (as well as kitchen utensils) with glass, ceramic or metal
invest in polyethylene plastic baby bottles (which will contain the #1, #2 or #4 recycling symbols)
invest in polypropylene baby bottles (contain the #5 recycling symbol)
remember that nonpolycarbonate plastic bottles and cups are usually colored and not clear
If you choose to use polycarbonate containers be sure not to expose them to heat or harsh detergents. Throw them away when they are scratched or overly worn as they leach more BPA at that point. Avoid putting the polycarbonate containers in the dishwasher and do not clean stained bottles with bleach.

Do you remember the beginning of the BPA drama? Have you ever heard of DES? Did you do anything with your water bottles once you learned about BPA? Do you plan on doing something now? Are you concerned that this will effect your (or your child's) fertility?

Read More:

BPA in plastics linked to aggressive behavior in children - not only are their reproductive issues, there are behavioral issues

Tests find wide range of Bisphenol A in canned soups, juice and more Disrupting Male Fertility - a specific study shows the microgram relation of BPA and DES exposure to fertility in rats
DES: Questions & Answers - questions and answers for those who were exposed to the chemical DES
Health Risks & Related Concerns for DES Daughters - daughters of moms who took DES during pregnancy have their risks explained to them

Chemicals and fertility; how do BPA & DES effect your reproduction?

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