Study reveals parabens in grooming products damage sperm

How Your Toothpaste Might Be Destroying Your Sperm

Your grooming routine might be packing a punch below the belt: common additives found in grooming products might be ruining your sperm, a new study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests.

In the study, researchers collected sperm and urine samples from 325 men with normal sperm concentrations who attended an infertility clinic in Poland. They tested the sperm for measures of quality, and the urine for levels of five parabens, man-made chemicals used as preservatives in personal care and grooming products: butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben.

They discovered that men with higher urine concentrations of the parabens were significantly more likely to have abnormally-shaped sperm and sperm that doesn’t move as well as it should. Plus, higher levels of butylparaben were linked to greater chances of DNA damage in the sperm, too.

Parabens act like endocrine disruptors, the researchers believe. That means they interfere with your normal hormone process, or even trigger inappropriate hormone activity. This can affect testosterone levels and sperm production, possibly causing you to have trouble getting your partner pregnant.

Problem is, parabens are found in many personal care and grooming products, like toothpastes, sunscreens, lotions, face washes, hand soaps, shampoos and conditioners. And it's not quite clear yet how much of it can be harmful—more research must be done to give more clarity on the link before any firm recommendations can be made.

In the meantime, if you are worried about your sperm, take a look at the label for your personal care products. Butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben are among the most common you’d see listed.