FDA to review chemical that might affect Clomid users

Genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices and age are among the most common causes of infertility, which is often treated with pharmaceuticals such as Clomid. However, a new report indicates that there might be another risk factor associated with infertility, and it comes from a very unlikely, but widely popular source.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has started to  under suspicion that it might cause infertility. The chemical, called Triclosan, is among the most widely used germ-fighting agents in detergents, furniture, clothing, cosmetics, toothpastes and much more. 

According to the government agency, this chemical is believed to be included in roughly three-quarters of all U.S.-distributed antibacterial soaps, including body washes. Officials stated that several animal studies have indicated the chemical can cause a variety of issues, including the start of puberty at an abnormally young age. Though the FDA has already evaluated Triclosan, new studies have pushed the agency's officials to take a second look.

The FDA has taken note of these animal trials, especially as several have piqued concerns that the agent can cause wide-reaching hormonal issues, including infertility. Officials from the agency do note that there is no current evidence that Triclosan is harmful to humans, though they do recommend replacing products containing the agent with simple soap and water when consumers are concerned.

In the coming months, the FDA expects to release more statements related to the potential dangers of Triclosan should any be discovered in the extensive trials it is currently launching.

The Mayo Clinic explains that there are a variety of , including clomiphene citrate drugs, such as Clomid, which causes a hormonal shift that stimulates growth of the ovarian follicle that contains eggs.