Human fertility is in a downward spiral, and scientists are warning that modern life — with its technological and chemical “progress” — is likely to blame. While female infertility tends to get the most attention, male infertility has made headlines in recent years, as research sheds light on the dramatic decline in sperm concentration and quality. According to the largest meta-analysis of its kind, sperm counts around the world declined by more than 50% between 1973 and 2013, and continue to dwindle today. The most significant declines were found in samples from men in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

While there are many factors that can affect male fertility, research suggests endocrine disrupting chemicals — found in plastics, personal care products, herbicides, non-organic foods and more — are largely to blame for the dramatic decline in reproductive health among men.

The Unites States permits more than 84,000 chemicals to be used in household products, cosmetics, food and food packaging, and a majority of these have never been tested for safety. In a 2005 study, the Environmental Working Group found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of infants born in the U.S. Tests detected a total of 287 chemicals from pesticides, consumer products, food packaging and environmental waste, including BPA, flame retardants, PCBs and even DDT.

While endocrine disrupting chemicals are high on the list of contributing factors, they're not the only ones. Other variables that can affect a man's reproductive ability include EMF exposure, nutritional deficiencies and/or food intolerances, stress, immune deficiencies and obesity or inactivity.

• Natural strategies to boost fertility include:

• Minimizing your exposure to toxic chemicals

• Avoiding unfiltered tap water

• Eating an optimal fertility diet of real, organic foods

• Avoiding common allergens

• Minimizing microwave exposure

• Getting checked for STD’s

• Avoiding alcohol and smoking

• Getting regular exercise

• Normalizing your weight

• Limiting hot baths and saunas

• Managing stress levels

• Switching to non-toxic cleaning and personal care products