One thing we quickly learnt during IVF is that information can stop feeling helpful and start feeling urgent.
One minute, we were reading about egg quality, implantation and hormone levels. The next, we were deep in articles about endocrine disruptors and all the everyday things that might be affecting fertility – things we had never even thought about before.
Suddenly, everything on our shelves felt like a problem.
Our skincare.
Our shampoo.
Our makeup.
Cleaning products.
Air fresheners.
Perfume.
Kitchen pans.
Plastic containers.
Takeaway coffee cups.
Even shopping receipts.
The list seemed endless. And so did the pressure.
That’s how non-toxic living entered our IVF journeys. Not gradually. Not calmly. And definitely not with a sensible plan.
Searching for the Missing Piece
With every failed cycle, we felt increasing pressure to do everything “right”. There was the constant fear that we were missing one important piece of the puzzle – something that might affect our chances.
So when we started reading about how everyday chemicals might interfere with hormones, egg or sperm quality, implantation or early embryo development, it didn’t feel empowering. It felt scary.
The intrusive thoughts and self-blame quickly crept in:
What if this is why our cycles haven’t worked?
What if we’ve already done something wrong without realising?
What if this is the thing we should have known sooner?
Instead of giving us a sense of control, it pushed us – individually – straight into overwhelm. Looking back, we wish we had approached it very differently.
The Rabbit Holes - and the Moment It All Became Too Much
During this time, we disappeared down countless rabbit holes trying to work out which ingredients were “bad”, which products were “safe”, which foods were heavily sprayed, which brands could be trusted and whose advice to believe when it all contradicted itself.
At one point, Alex ended up in tears over a non-stick pan being used. It wasn’t really about the pan. It was about the fear. The pressure. The feeling that every tiny decision might affect the next cycle. That if we got one thing wrong, it might cost us our chance.
That part of IVF isn’t talked about nearly enough.
Why Non-Toxic Swaps Even Come Up During IVF
This conversation hasn’t appeared out of nowhere.
There is growing research into environmental chemicals known as endocrine disruptors – substances that may mimic, block or interfere with the body’s hormones. Because hormones play such an important role in reproduction, it’s understandable that many people going through IVF become interested in reducing unnecessary exposure where they can.
Public awareness is growing too, helped by documentaries such as Infertile and Netflix’s The Plastic Detox. These films have brought conversations about chemicals, plastics and reproductive health into the mainstream.
For us, this is about making informed choices without adding another layer of panic and pressure to an already demanding journey.
The Stress Was the Signal
Looking back, the biggest problem wasn’t the information itself. It was what it was doing to us. We were already emotionally exhausted. Instead of helping us feel empowered, it became another thing to get “right”. Another reason to blame ourselves when treatment didn’t work.
That’s when something important clicked. If a change that is meant to support your health is making you more anxious every day, it’s worth asking whether the way you are approaching it is still serving you.
The calmer way we talk about non-toxic swaps today didn’t exist at the beginning. It came later – after the tears and after realising that we didn’t have to change everything overnight.
A Gentler Way to Approach Non-Toxic Swaps
The goal isn’t to do everything at once. It’s to become more aware and make changes at a pace that feels realistic for you. We have learnt that it is far kinder – and probably far more sustainable – to focus on manageable steps rather than trying to overhaul your entire life. With hindsight, this is the approach we wish we had from the very beginning.
Skincare & Makeup
Instead of replacing everything overnight, start with the products you use most often or apply over larger areas of your skin, such as moisturiser, body lotion, foundation and sunscreen.
You could:
- choose fragrance-free or lower-fragrance options when something naturally runs out
- simplify your routine rather than adding more products
- begin with frequently used leave-on products if that feels manageable
One straightforward place to start is with products labelled fragrance-free. Products labelled unscented may still contain small amounts of fragrance added to mask the smell of other ingredients.
Focus on changes that feel manageable, and check labels when there is something specific you would prefer to reduce.
And try not to panic – as we did – about anything you have already used.
Everyday Personal Care
Shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, perfume and hair products can quickly become another source of pressure.
You could start by:
- choosing fragrance-free or lower-fragrance shampoo, body wash and moisturiser
- reducing or removing CCD your use of heavily fragranced perfumes, body sprays and hair products
- choosing non-spray formats where practical
- replacing one frequently used product at a time
You don’t necessarily have to throw products away. Friends or family may be happy to use them. Ali wore perfume daily and passed her collection on to her mum when she decided to stop wearing it.
Because sprays and strongly fragranced personal-care products enter the air as well as coming into contact with the body, reducing their use and ventilating the room can be simple places to begin.
Your Home
We are all exposed to environmental chemicals in everyday life, so a manageable place to begin is with one or two products you use frequently.
This might be your laundry detergent, fabric softener or everyday cleaning spray.
Simple changes could include:
- opening windows regularly, particularly when cleaning or cooking
- choosing fragrance-free laundry and cleaning products
- removing plug-in air fresheners and strongly scented room sprays
- choosing unfragranced candles and using them occasionally
- using fewer cleaning products when simple soap and water work just as well
- following the instructions on every product label
Fragrance can appear in air fresheners, candles, detergents and cleaning sprays. Reducing or removing heavily fragranced products is therefore often one of the simplest ways to change your home environment.
Never mix bleach or disinfectants with other cleaning products. Some combinations can release dangerous fumes, so use one product at a time, follow the label and ventilate the room well.
You don’t need a cupboard full of specialist “non-toxic” products. Using fewer products and ventilating your home can be a great place to start.
The Kitchen
The kitchen can feel especially overwhelming – for us, it certainly did – so keep it simple and focus on heat, food contact and damaged items.
You might choose to:
- avoid heating food in plastic unless the container is designed for it
- use glass or stainless-steel containers for hot food and leftovers
- avoid pouring boiling liquids into plastics that aren’t rated for high temperatures
- replace plastic containers when they become cracked, cloudy or badly damaged
- stop using peeling or heavily scratched non-stick cookware, and choose stainless steel, cast iron or enamel-coated cookware when something needs replacing
- avoid overheating empty non-stick pans
- follow the manufacturer’s care and temperature instructions
Food-contact materials are regulated, but factors such as temperature, contact time and the type of food can affect how substances migrate from a material into food. Using containers for their intended purpose is therefore a sensible place to begin.
Plastic containers can still be useful for cool or dry food. There is no need to throw everything away. You can replace items gradually as they wear out.
No panic buying.
Just informed changes over time.
Looking for a Simple Place to Start?
We’ve put together a one-page Non-Toxic Swaps Guide with a practical overview of simple changes you can make across skincare, personal care, your home and kitchen.
It’s easy to save to your phone or print and keep on your fridge, so you can refer back to it without having to research everything from scratch. You can find it now in our Toolkit page.
We also know that comparing ingredients and finding suitable alternatives can feel like a lot, especially when you’re already carrying so much.
That’s why we’ll soon be adding some of the products we have personally used, researched or found helpful to the Support Hub. We hope this will make it easier to explore possible swaps without having to start from scratch.
Please check back soon for our recommended swaps and product suggestions.
Abschließende Überlegungen
If reading about environmental chemicals has left you feeling guilty, overwhelmed or like you’re already behind, we hope you take one thing away from this article:
You don’t have to do everything.
Non-toxic swaps aren’t a test you need to pass, but they are worth being aware of. They are simply informed choices you can make over time, if they feel right for you. Creating a perfectly “non-toxic” life shouldn’t become another burden you are expected to carry. IVF already asks so much from you.
Be informed.
Be aware.
Take one step at a time, at your own pace.
And remember that being kind to yourself during IVF matters just as much as any swap you make.
