A recent study has detected microplastics in the reproductive fluids of both men and women, sparking global discussion about the potential consequences for fertility and reproductive health. Presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), this research represents one of the first times microplastic contamination has been systematically documented in ovarian follicular fluid and semen, shifting the spotlight from environmental and dietary exposure toward intimate human biological systems. The findings urge both the scientific community and the public to reflect on the far-reaching impact of plastic pollution and what it could mean for future generations, including here in Thailand.
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles measuring less than 5mm in size, have become an insidious part of modern life, entering the environment through the breakdown of larger plastics and infiltrating food, water, and the air we breathe. Previous investigations had already established their pervasive presence in organs such as the liver, lungs, and placenta, but the detection of these particles in fluids vital for conception introduces new questions about human health at its very foundation. As plastic consumption continues to rise globally, Thailand—a country where plastics remain woven into everyday living—finds itself squarely within the crosshairs of this emerging health issue.
In the study, researchers analyzed the follicular fluid of 29 women and the seminal fluid of 22 men, both essential for the survival and quality of eggs and sperm during natural conception and fertility treatments. Astonishingly, they found microplastics in 69% of female samples and 55% of male samples. The range of polymers detected was broad, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, commonly known as Teflon), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene (PE), many of which are widespread in consumer goods from non-stick cookware to food packaging. PTFE was the most frequently detected polymer, found in 31% of female and 41% of male samples, suggesting that even materials considered inert or food-safe can have a biological footprint (News Medical).
To ensure the results were not skewed by laboratory contamination, all fluid samples were carefully collected and stored in glass containers before being chemically treated and analyzed with state-of-the-art laser direct infrared microscopy. This meticulous approach lends credibility to the team’s findings, which have already begun attracting attention across international media and scientific circles. The study’s lead, a reproductive health researcher introduced at ESHRE, remarked: “We weren’t entirely surprised to find microplastics in fluids of the human reproductive system, but we were struck by how common they were—found in 69% of the women and 55% of the men we studied.” The message is clear: exposure to microplastics is not merely theoretical, but a measurable reality in a significant portion of the population.
Crucially, the researchers did not find a direct link between the presence of microplastics and reduced fertility in the samples studied. Nonetheless, animal studies have shown that when microplastics accumulate in tissues, they can trigger inflammation, formation of harmful free radicals, DNA damage, cellular aging, and hormonal disturbances. These biological mechanisms are key to reproductive health in humans as well, prompting concern among clinicians and scientists alike about whether chronic exposure could ultimately reduce sperm or egg quality. The research team plans to expand the scope of their investigation, recruiting larger groups of participants and collecting detailed information on lifestyle and environmental exposures. They also aim to assess whether the presence of microplastics is linked to measurable changes in oocyte (egg) or sperm quality.
A reproductive medicine expert at ESHRE, commenting on the study, emphasized the complexity of fertility, underscoring that “fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, health, and genetics,” and warned against single-minded alarmism. Still, the finding that microplastics infiltrate reproductive fluids is seen as yet another reason to minimize plastic use: “Although the significance of these findings is not yet clear, they should be considered an additional argument in favour of avoiding the generalised use of plastics in our daily lives,” the ESHRE official stated. Simple steps such as using glass containers for food storage and heating, along with reducing or avoiding drinking water from plastic bottles, may reduce personal exposure—advice echoed by Thai health experts striving to adapt public health messages in the context of widespread plastic dependency.
Thailand generates over 2 million tons of plastic waste annually (UNEP), and despite recent campaigns and bans targeting single-use plastics, items like bottled water, takeaway packaging, and microbead-infused personal care products remain common. Bangkok waterways, rural provinces, and even remote islands have not been spared the tide of plastic debris, which eventually degrades into invisible microplastics that make their way through the food chain, into drinking water, and now, as the study confirms, into the most sensitive human tissues. Local scientists from leading Thai universities have warned for years that plastic pollution is more than just an eyesore or environmental nuisance—it harbors risks for both ecosystem and human health (Journal of Environmental Management).
The discovery of microplastics in human reproductive fluids should also be viewed within the context of Thailand’s persistent struggles with fertility rates. With the country’s population growth rate declining and the fertility rate falling below replacement level for several years, any potential new threat to reproductive capacity must be treated with gravity (The World Bank). Senior health officials and fertility experts have called for more investment into reproductive health research and for up-to-date national guidelines on environmental exposures for couples trying to conceive.
In terms of policy, Thailand’s government has taken steps to address plastic waste, from the high-profile bans on single-use bags in large retailers to education campaigns in schools. However, enforcement remains uneven and alternatives such as bioplastics or glass are not yet universally available or affordable, especially outside large cities. Environmental advocates maintain that making meaningful progress requires both individual and systemic change—including upgrades to municipal waste management, tighter regulation of industrial plastic production, and incentives for businesses to adopt safer, more sustainable materials (Bangkok Post).
Internationally, the issue of microplastics in the food chain has pushed several nations to reconsider their use of plastics in packaging and consumer goods. The World Health Organization has called for a crackdown on microbeads in personal care products, while the European Union continues to debate stricter limits on plastic additives now found in drinking water, seafood, and farm produce (WHO). In this light, the new study’s revelations add fuel to global calls for a more urgent, coordinated approach—one that could help safeguard reproductive health as well as the planet.
What does the future hold? Scientists acknowledge the many unknowns, urging that research and funding be directed toward understanding the biological effects of chronic microplastic exposure. Larger, longer-term human studies are now planned to examine the possible consequences for fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and even childhood development. At the same time, there is a clear mandate for preventive action: reducing personal and population-level exposure to plastics can only help mitigate potential risks, even as scientific knowledge evolves.
For Thai readers, these findings are both a wake-up call and a call to action. While there is no need for panic—fertility is a multifactorial process and plastics are only one piece of the puzzle—it is wise for individuals and families to take simple steps to reduce exposure. Replacing single-use plastics with glass or stainless steel for drinking and food storage, avoiding heating food in plastic containers, and choosing products free of microbeads are all actionable measures. On a broader level, supporting policies and businesses that reduce dependency on plastic and improve waste systems will have widespread health and environmental benefits. Finally, readers are encouraged to pay attention to updates from both Thai and international health authorities as research continues to unfold.
For further information, see the original study as covered by News Medical, policy context from UNEP, and the government’s own efforts as detailed on the Bangkok Post.