Conclusion

Environmental exposures have been linked to reproductive health effects and may affect future generations. These exposures may have more significance at critical points in an individual’s lifespan. Health care providers can help by offering patients guidance, counseling, and resources. Specifically, providers can emphasize the importance of preconception care, incorporate an environmental and occupational history as part of the patient health history, become aware of risks in their community, work with community groups and policy makers to reduce exposure levels, and provide and refer patients to education and information resources. Helping patients reduce their exposures to reproductive toxicants now will increase the likelihood of continued reproductive health for themselves and their families.