Hidden factors behind the decline in fertility around the world

The number of births around the world is declining at an alarming rate, while infertility rates are rising and the need for complex and expensive medical procedures to achieve the dream of having children is increasing.

Several governments have issued explicit warnings about the future of humanity, amid increasingly clear scientific indications that a global fertility crisis is looming.

A growing body of research has revealed that men's sperm counts are declining at an alarming rate. It is estimated that they have fallen by as much as 60% in just one generation. While the annual decline in sperm counts before 2000 was approximately 1%, the rate has doubled since then.

According to a comprehensive analytical study led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, based on data from more than 42,000 men from North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, the average sperm count declined from 104 million per milliliter in 1973 to 49 million/ml in 2018. Professor Hagai Levine, one of the study's authors, notes that the threshold at which true fertility problems begin is 40 million/ml.

Some experts blame the chemicals circulating in our environment for this decline, particularly so-called "endocrine disruptors." These substances are found in many everyday products, such as paper receipts, milk cartons, and soft drinks. These substances mimic the body's natural hormones, leading to reproductive system disturbances.

Perhaps most controversial is some research suggesting that paracetamol, a painkiller used daily by millions without a prescription, may directly harm male fertility. Researchers from Brunel University London believe that paracetamol may reduce the production of nitric oxide, which is responsible for sperm motility, and may also affect testosterone processing. In a study of urine samples from 1,000 Danish men, they found that nearly all of them exceeded safe levels of paracetamol.

Concern is heightened when it comes to the use of paracetamol by pregnant women, as studies show that exposure of a male fetus to this drug during the first three months of pregnancy may impair testicular development, thereby affecting future sperm production.

Dr. Rod Mitchell, professor of endocrinology at the University of Edinburgh, warns pregnant women against taking this drug during the first trimester of pregnancy, unless absolutely necessary and at the lowest possible dose.

Despite the bleak outlook, Professor Shana Swan, one of the world's leading experts in reproductive health, is leading a new study aimed at testing whether certain lifestyle changes can improve fertility. These include replacing scented products with chemical-free alternatives, avoiding processed foods, and reducing the use of plastics in the home.

Swan says preliminary results show that these simple adjustments can make a tangible difference, emphasizing: "It takes attention and willpower, but we can reduce our exposure to toxins and improve our chances of conceiving."