Could Sunscreen Use Increase The Risk Of Infertility?

Could sunscreen use be linked to infertility? Recent findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveal that certain chemicals found in these products could result in a 30 percent fertility reduction.

The Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment study showed that men exposed to chemicals called benzophene-type UV filters that are commonly found in creams and lotions could be at a 30 percent fertility reduction increase, according to reseaarchers.

For the study, researchers examined 501 couples who were recruited before giving birth and participated for one year or until the women become pregnant. They measured the amount of time it took for women in the study to become pregnant and measured the concentration of five sunscreen UV filters known to disturb hormonal functioning in the body.

"The skin is the body's largest organ, and how we care for our skin matters in more ways than one. Sunscreen is important for sun protection, and we definitely encourage people to continue using sunscreen to avoid skin cancer. But men who are concerned about fertility may be interested in other ways to reduce their exposure to benzophenone UV filters-whether by cutting back on other products that contain the UV filters or by washing after returning indoors," said Dr. Germaine Louis of National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in a news release.

Researchers however did not find any drop in fertility levels of women.

"In our study, male fecundity seems to be more susceptible to these chemicals than female fecundity," he added. "The women participants actually had greater exposure to the UV filters overall, but their exposure wasn't associated with any significant pregnancy delays."

In the future, researchers noted that they are hoping to determine how these particularly chemicals may be affecting couple fecundity.