Parabens are chemical preservatives and sources of pollution to both humans and our environment.

Parabens act as xenoestrogens which are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen. Women are at a greater risk of developing hormonal disruptions from long-term paraben use as compared to men as a result of estrogen's role in the female body.

The Endocrine Society has classified parabens as potential Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) which alter a woman's hormone levels leading to imbalances in the reproductive and nervous systems. As EDCs, parabens can dock onto a woman's cell receptors normally reserved for estrogen -- thereby disrupting her ability to ovulate, produce healthy eggs, prepare the uterine lining (endometrium) for pregnancy, and ultimately conceive.

Studies show the presence of petrochemicals in personal lubricants, such as mineral oil, can leave an oily residue on the vaginal biome -- thereby disrupting pH, limiting sperm motility, and elevating the risk of bacterial infection.

A woman's daily vaginal pH levels range from 3.8 to 4.5 for most of her cycle. Then, during ovulation, luteinizing hormonal surges come into play boosting vaginal pH levels to an optimum neutral to alkaline range of 7 to 8 which is considered “non-toxic” to sperm. Most water-based lubricants, which are non-alkaline, can push vaginal pH levels well below 7 -- resulting in the degradation of seminal fluid and, thus, a lower probability of conception.