Couples Seek to Overcome Infertility by Reducing Plastic Exposure

Growing awareness of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in everyday products fuels 'plastic detox' trend among those trying to conceive

Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:52pm

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For some couples struggling with unexplained infertility, the solution may lie in reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in common household plastics. The new documentary 'The Plastic Detox' highlights the stories of those, like Idaho's Darby and Jesse Nubbe, who have embarked on a journey to eliminate plastics from their lives in hopes of boosting their fertility.

Why it matters

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols (BPAs) found in plastics have been linked to declining sperm counts globally over the past 50 years. As more couples face unexplained fertility challenges, attention is turning to the potential impact of these everyday environmental toxins on reproductive health.

The details

The core issue lies with endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in countless products, from food packaging to personal care items. These chemicals interfere with the body's hormone system, impacting reproductive health, particularly sperm production in men. A study highlighted in the documentary found women who used fragranced products had a significantly higher concentration of phthalates. Detoxing from plastics requires a complete overhaul of home and habits, as EDCs are found in unexpected places like paper receipts and children's books.

  • The Nubbe's two-year fertility journey included over $16,000 spent on tests and treatments.
  • The documentary 'The Plastic Detox' recently premiered, featuring the stories of couples addressing infertility through reducing plastic exposure.

The players

Darby and Jesse Nubbe

An Idaho couple who struggled with unexplained infertility for two years before participating in the documentary 'The Plastic Detox'.

Dr. Shanna Swan

A reproductive epidemiologist featured in 'The Plastic Detox' documentary who emphasizes the pervasiveness of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in everyday products.

Eric Isaac

A Miami, Florida resident who participated in Dr. Swan's study on reducing plastic exposure to improve fertility.

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What they’re saying

“We ingest them, we absorb them through our skin, we inhale them.”

— Dr. Shanna Swan, Reproductive Epidemiologist (The Plastic Detox)

“Plastic's so abundant and part of everyone's life that it's basically invisible.”

— Eric Isaac (The Plastic Detox)

What’s next

Dr. Shanna Swan is currently seeking funding for a larger NIH trial to further investigate the impacts of reducing plastic exposure on fertility.

The takeaway

As more couples face unexplained fertility challenges, the growing awareness around endocrine-disrupting chemicals in everyday plastics is fueling a trend towards proactive 'plastic detox' strategies as part of family planning. However, addressing this issue requires systemic change, not just individual choices.