Your Reproductive Fluids Are Polluted with Microplastics

• Participants showed high rates of microplastic presence — The results were striking — 69% of follicular fluid samples from women and 55% of semen samples from men contained measurable microplastics.³

This means that more than half of all individuals tested had synthetic particles inside the fluids directly involved in reproduction. Follicular fluid, which surrounds and nourishes eggs before ovulation, showed a higher concentration than semen, suggesting that the female reproductive environment is more exposed or more likely to accumulate these particles.

• Nine different types of microplastics identified — The team detected nine distinct types of microplastics, ranging from nylon to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These materials are found in everyday items such as clothing fibers, furniture foams, packaging, nonstick cookware, beverage bottles, pipes, and even 3D-printed products.

• The average particle load was small but consistent — In most samples, scientists found only one or two microplastic particles, but some contained as many as five.⁴ While the absolute numbers sound low, the fact that these particles bypassed the body’s defenses and entered reproductive fluids at all is significant. Even a small number could carry chemical additives or trigger immune responses that interfere with reproductive processes.

• Entry routes into the human body are well known — Microplastics enter your body through three main pathways: inhalation of airborne fibers and dust, ingestion of contaminated food and water, and skin contact with certain products. Once inside, they pass into your bloodstream and are distributed to tissues throughout your body. These routes make exposure nearly unavoidable in modern environments, which explains the widespread presence found in the study.

• Mechanism of transport into reproductive fluids — Once inhaled or ingested, microplastic particles are absorbed into your bloodstream through your lungs or digestive tract. From there, they circulate until they lodge in various tissues.

The ovarian follicular environment has a rich blood supply, especially during stimulation for egg retrieval, creating an easy pathway for particles to accumulate.⁵ Similarly, the testes receive continuous blood flow, allowing circulating microplastics to enter the structures where sperm develop.

• Researchers call for larger and more detailed investigations — While this study confirms microplastics are present in reproductive fluids, more work is needed to determine the health effects.

Future research will focus on whether these particles harm egg or sperm quality, influence fertilization rates, or contribute to infertility. Researchers also plan to collect data on participants’ lifestyle habits to see if certain exposures, such as diet, work environment, or clothing choices, are linked to higher particle counts.⁶

• Cross-linked psyllium could help eliminate microplastics — One key system that plays a role in removing microplastics from your body is your gut. A 2024 study showed that acrylamide cross-linked psyllium (PLP-AM) removed over 92% of common plastic types like polystyrene, PVC, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from water.

Because of its high swelling ability and sticky, gel-like texture, cross-linked psyllium could be adapted to work inside the gut, where it may trap plastic particles before they’re absorbed into the body. While the study was conducted in a water treatment setting, the results are also promising for human health.⁷

• Chitosan, a natural fiber derived from shellfish, also shows promise for clearing microplastics from your body — A recent animal study published in Scientific Reports found that rats given a chitosan-enriched diet were able to eliminate about 115% of the polyethylene microplastics they were fed, compared to just 84% in the control group.

This suggests that chitosan not only helps bind and eliminate new plastic particles but might even help pull out some that were already absorbed. However, while it’s generally considered safe and already used in supplements, people with shellfish allergies are advised to steer clear of it.⁸

Psyllium and chitosan work through physical adsorption, where hydrophobic (water-repelling) and electrostatic forces stick microplastic particles to the fiber, keeping them from being absorbed. However, one drawback with these binders is that they can also soak up nutrients if not timed carefully. Hence, they need to be used strategically to provide the most benefit, such as ingesting them with processed or packaged foods, which are more likely to contain plastics.

• Certain beneficial bacteria strains can help clear microplastics from the gut — A 2025 animal study found that two specific strains, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88, were able to bind to and eliminate tiny polystyrene particles in lab tests. These probiotics work by forming protective biofilms that trap plastic particles, making them easier to flush out.⁹

When combined with dietary fibers like psyllium and chitosan, the result could be a more effective and natural way to sweep microplastics out of the gut before they’re absorbed.

• The liver also plays an essential role in clearing microplastics from the bloodstream — Specialized immune cells in the liver, known as Kupffer cells, help trap these foreign particles and route them into bile for elimination via the intestines. However, while this method may work on smaller plastics, larger ones can linger and build up, especially if your liver function is compromised.

To support this natural detox pathway, researchers are studying the use of compounds like ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its variant tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), which stimulate bile production and improve particle flow out of the liver.

• Researchers are also looking at strategies to enhance autophagy to eliminate microplastics — Autophagy is your body’s natural cellular recycling system. Researchers are looking at compounds that can help promote this system, mainly rapamycin and spermidine.

Rapamycin works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, a nutrient-sensing mechanism that normally suppresses autophagy. When mTOR is turned off, cells ramp up their cleanup efforts, forming membranes that can collect and isolate plastic particles for breakdown or removal. Meanwhile, spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine found in foods that enhances cellular resilience and supports the clearance of toxic substances.

In lab and animal studies, the combination of spermidine and rapamycin helped reverse mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce oxidative stress caused by microplastics.

The table below summarizes these novel strategies to eliminate microplastics, including their mechanisms of action, how much testing has been done, and important safety considerations. It shows that although several different approaches may be needed, clearing plastics from your body naturally is possible. Of course, reducing your exposure is still the ideal preliminary course of action.

1. Upgrade your air and water filtration — Your lungs and digestive system work hard enough — don’t overload them with invisible plastic dust and particles in tap water. Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier in your bedroom and living spaces.

They are a major concern for air quality because their small size allows them to be inhaled deep into your lungs and enter your bloodstream. For drinking and cooking, install a water filter capable of removing particles down to the micron level.

2. Switch from synthetic fabrics to natural fibers whenever possible — If most of your wardrobe is polyester, nylon, or acrylic, you’re breathing in fibers every time you move. Choose organic cotton, wool, linen, or hemp for clothes, bedding, and towels.

If you’re a parent, organic natural fibers for children are especially important because their smaller lungs are more vulnerable. For synthetic items you already own, wash them less often, line dry them, and use a microfiber-catching laundry bag to stop fibers from escaping into your home air or local waterways.

3. Stop heating and storing food in plastic containers — Every time you microwave leftovers in a plastic tub or drink hot coffee from a plastic-lined cup, you release more microplastics into your food. Transfer your meals into glass or stainless steel before reheating. Store food in these safer containers to begin with, so you’re not scrambling for alternatives at the last minute.

4. Vacuum and dust in a way that traps particles instead of spreading them — Standard vacuums blow fine dust — and the microplastics in it — back into the air. Choose a sealed vacuum with a HEPA filter. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and pet areas often, since fibers shed from both synthetic clothing and home textiles. When dusting, skip the dry cloth. Use a damp microfiber cloth to grab and hold particles so they don’t get stirred up and inhaled.

5. Re-evaluate your kitchen tools and surfaces — Plastic cutting boards shed directly into your food with every knife stroke. Replace them with wood or glass, which are more durable and far less likely to flake. If you’re still using plastic cooking utensils, swap them for stainless steel or wood. Even these small upgrades reduce the constant trickle of microplastic exposure in your daily meals.