• A Touch That Makes You Want to Cry: What Is “Sad Nipple Syndrome”?

  A sudden wave of sadness, anxiety or even profound grief triggered by touching the nipples is an unusual experience reported by people around the world. Known as Sad Nipple Syndrome, the phenomenon remains poorly understood, and scientists have yet to establish exactly what causes it, The Guardian reports...

• Diet Soda or Water: Study Reveals Which Drink Is More Effective for Weight Loss

  Sugar-free soft drinks may be just as effective as plain water for weight loss, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK. Their conclusion is based on a two-year randomized trial involving nearly 500 people who were overweight or living with obesity...

• Women Are Breaking Their Ribs for ‘Tiny’ Waists: Extreme New Procedure Raises Medical Concerns

  The beauty industry has reached a point that would have seemed unimaginable only a few years ago: it is now possible to alter not only body fat, breasts or facial features, but the shape of the ribs themselves. A procedure known as rib remodelling involves deliberately damaging the lower ribs in an attempt to make the waist appear significantly narrower, The Independent reports...

• Kim Kardashian Is Hooked on a ‘Longevity Capsule,’ but Doctors Sound the Alarm

  Kim Kardashian is betting on more than just maintaining a perfect figure — she is now focusing on longevity as well. One of the star’s latest obsessions is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment popular among celebrities and professional athletes. Doctors, however, warn that its ability to extend the lifespan of healthy people has yet to be proven, and that some devices can be dangerous, according to the New York Post...

• Your Smartphone Could Be Stealing Years of Your Life: Scientists Warn of the Consequences of Endless Scrolling

  Spending hours scrolling through social media may have far more serious consequences for health than previously thought. According to a major scientific review, excessive screen use is linked to millions of years of life lived with mental health disorders...

• Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Could Deprive the Brain of Energy, Expert Warns

  As GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, continue to surge in popularity, experts are warning that losing weight too quickly and severely restricting calorie intake could deprive the brain of essential energy and nutrients...

• Cheese Is Fine, but Go Easy on the Butter: Scientists Reveal Which Fatty Foods Are Actually Healthy

  For years, we were told that fatty foods were bad for us: people were advised to replace whole milk with skimmed milk, butter with spreads, and eat cheese as rarely as possible. But new research suggests the picture is more complicated...

• Just Two Spoonfuls a Day: Scientists Find an Unexpected Link Between Tomatoes and Memory

  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has long been associated with better memory. Now, Spanish scientists have identified another potential link: ordinary tomatoes may influence brain function — and the key could be lycopene, a powerful antioxidant...

Microplastics have already been detected in human lungs, liver, kidneys, blood, and even the brain. Now, new research published in the journal Human Reproduction reveals that these tiny particles have also made their way into the reproductive system.

For the first time, scientists have discovered microplastics in both sperm and ovarian follicular fluid, sparking serious concerns about the potential impact on reproductive health and fertility for future generations.

The study analyzed follicular fluid from 29 women and semen samples from 22 men. Microplastics were found in 55% of the sperm samples and 69% of the follicular fluid samples.

“We already knew that microplastics accumulate in various human organs,” said lead researcher Dr. Emilio Gomez-Sanchez at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. “So the fact that they are present in reproductive fluids wasn’t surprising, but what struck us was how widespread this phenomenon is.”

The most common type of microplastic detected in sperm was PTFE—better known as Teflon—found in 41% of samples. Other common plastics included polystyrene (similar to Styrofoam) at 14%, polyethylene terephthalate (a type of polyester) at 9%, polyamide (nylon) at 5%, and polyurethane (used in coatings and foams) at 5%.

While the exact effects of microplastics on human reproductive health remain unclear, animal studies suggest potential risks. “In tissues where microplastics accumulate, inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, cellular aging, and endocrine disruption can occur,” explained Gomez-Sanchez. “This likely impairs the quality of eggs and sperm, but we don’t yet have enough data to confirm this in humans.”

Despite these alarming findings, the scientist urges calm: “It’s too early to panic. Microplastics are just one of many factors that may influence fertility,” he said. “However, it’s wise to take steps to reduce exposure—such as storing and heating food in glass containers and limiting the use of plastic water bottles.”

Separately, an Italian research team recently found microplastics in the ovarian follicular fluid of 14 out of 18 women in their study. Lead author Luigi Montano described the findings as “very concerning,” noting that previous research from his group linked microplastic presence to decreased sperm quantity and quality.

Earlier studies have also detected microplastics in the uterus, placenta, and even testicles—sometimes at surprisingly high concentrations.

Humans are exposed to microplastics mainly through inhalation of airborne particles and consumption of contaminated food.

Unfortunately, microplastics are everywhere. Estimates suggest that between 10 and 40 million tons enter the environment annually. On average, a person ingests about 5 grams of microplastics per week—that’s roughly the weight of a spoonful of soup. Over a year, that adds up to around 250 grams, essentially a “whole plate of plastic” entering the body.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram