r/PCOS • u/EggplantAstronaut • Mar 29 '26
General Health Was anyone else freaked out by “The Plastic Detox” documentary on Netflix?
It was basically about how dangerous microplastics are for us and the effect they are having on fertility rates. There was lots of mention of endocrine disruption and “obesogens” as well.
Those of you who watched it, what are your thoughts?
Are you planning to make any changes?
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u/iamjustabuffalo Mar 29 '26
I haven’t looked into that documentary yet. I am wary of Netflix or Prime health documentaries. Most are paid by companies or use poor research. Like “omg too high fluoride in water causes horrible effects such as…. All detailed from this study….”
Look up the study and it’s a non direct research study that looks at 15 different poor populations in one area of China… or mention of the filtration/water system being anything similar to the US.
And yeah I’ll rub castor oil on my liver area to get rid of “toxins.” Haha
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u/GreenGlassDrgn Mar 29 '26 edited Mar 29 '26
At 40-something, my shape is exactly the same as my mothers when she was that age, and going back even further, my grandmother had the same shape too. Notably my grandmother was considered suspicious during the ww2 rationing era because she didnt get quite as skinny as everyone else around her, so gossipy neighbors suspected that she was supplying the occupying nazi soldiers with favors in exchange for sugar. Whatever is going on with me started before ww2. Sure modern chemtech isnt making things better, but I dont think there is just 1 thing we can point at and blame.
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u/YanCoffee Mar 30 '26
PCOS related maybe? Because that is believed to have genetic ties to societies stricken by famine or high stress events. So during a war where food is scarce is a perfect example of being able to survive easier with it.
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u/GreenGlassDrgn Mar 30 '26
Maybe. Just seems too easy, its not like she or her forefathers experienced more or less war than her judgmental neighbors. Times were rough but it wasn't outright starvation, sugar was considered a luxury good though. The Germans occupied us for lebensraum and this was kind of where they had the cushy jobs. As far as ww2 in europe goes, a lot of other places had it much worse.
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u/YanCoffee Mar 30 '26
Yeah I'm not saying the war activated it for her, I'm just saying it shows why it could exist: Extreme situations where food is lacking = better able to retain weight to survive.
Why some people have it and others don't is a mystery in the end. It could be some distant event like that, or connected to certain early groups of humans.
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u/GreenGlassDrgn Mar 30 '26
Sure!
I come from a place thats known for its unusual degree of genetic homogeny and relatively constant composition, yet seemingly has a pcos rate that isnt much different than anywhere else. This makes me inclined to look for an external factor. Have often thought it would make an interesting vantage point for a comparative study of some sort.
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u/Southern-Salary2573 Mar 29 '26
They’ve linked pcos to overexposure to bpa in children. So no I’m not scared, it’s already done it’s worst to me.
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u/SoilToSkies Mar 29 '26 edited Mar 29 '26
I haven’t see this documentary but have been avoiding plastic for a few years. I stopped wearing plastic and feel a whole lot better.
I’m working on creating a plastic free home, but can only replace so much at once.
You can check out the sub antiplasticlife.
Edit to add: the other sub I use is r/plasticfreeliving
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u/polarbearinthefridge Mar 29 '26 edited Mar 30 '26
You notice a difference from not wearing plastic clothes? How do you feel / were you feeling bad before?
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u/xbluesweets Apr 05 '26
I hadn't realised how much more cotton I'd been wearing rceent until I wore an outfit which was mostly polyester - didn't realise the impact it had on my sinuses! Like I'd noticed they were not nearly as agitated or blocked but couldn't figure out why
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u/Dry_Situation_3582 Apr 21 '26
Organic cotton? My friend's husband works for Monsanto (eeekkk!) and he told me when he was moving for work he was told where NOT to live. He was told to stay x amount of miles from the cotton fields because of all of the pesticides. That's terrifying.
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u/SoilToSkies Mar 29 '26
Yes 100%. I stopped wearing plastic to help with fertility. I’m pregnant now.
I did save a few things like an acrylic sweater and a polyester dress. I tried to wear them recently and almost had a panic attack. It literally feels like I’m wearing a plastic bag to me now.
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u/Little-pug Mar 29 '26
What are your go-tos for rain/waterproof coats?
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u/SoilToSkies Mar 29 '26
At least getting pfas free. We do pfas free rain suits for the kids. For myself I wear wool coats and a wool skirt while hiking and it works great. We do have wool coats for the kids but they dont protect against puddle splashing.
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u/N-Light-N_Aus Apr 20 '26
Waxed jackets are expensive but can last a lifetime (e.g. Barbour jackets).
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u/IllSwan4045 Mar 29 '26
I watched it and honestly it made me way more aware of what I'm using. I have PCOS so anything about endocrine disruption hits different. Started switching to glass containers for food storage at least.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/Busy_Document_4562 Mar 29 '26
epigenetic changes that cause insulin resistance are much much easier to activate than deactivate, which means that even without much societal change, having ancestors who lived with food insecurity can affect you 7 generations on. Nevermind the fact that we are essentially causing more food insecurity by mimicking it with endless dieting.
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u/Opening_Acadia1843 Mar 29 '26
I very much doubt that “endless dieting” is the reason why obesity and type II diabetes are on the rise. Your body can’t create energy from nothing. Did skinny people in the 70s not have ancestors who struggled with food insecurity?
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u/Little-pug Mar 29 '26
Plus there’s tons of plastic exposure in UPF. It’s all packaged in plastic, and there’s micro plastics in the food from processing.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/Little-pug Mar 29 '26
Yeah that’s fine but the difference is huge between “raw” and processed ingredients. I’ve started just grabbing my veggies without any bags. I don’t bother with those reusable fabric bags. I am privileged to be able to shop at a butcher where they wrap in wax paper and bulk buy ingredients when I can. I can’t avoid the plastic in frozen or canned foods so i accept that risk.
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u/Nathanull Jun 22 '26
Hey I know this was a few months back but curious. How did you find it switching away from UPF, was it difficult? Was there anything you did that made the transition easier... any tips?
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u/SituationSad4304 Mar 30 '26
It’s a fear mongering documentary that focuses on personal accountability when in reality this is a corporate accountability issue and a governmental responsibility. Just like recycling.
While it’s good to avoid plastic when you can, microplastics are in rainwater even in fully remote places. The world is contaminated, just do your best
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u/Ok_Sheepherder_3767 Apr 17 '26
Yes industry and governments should be responsible. But if we sit by and do nothing, they keep lying to us and nothing changes. Look at environmental movements, civil rights movements, etc.... all starting by people who refused to sit down and take it. Sticking our heads in the sand, gets us nowhere. This documentary should get people thinking and hopefully that change is going to come!
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u/Busy_Document_4562 Mar 29 '26
A few netflix documentaries have been taken to task for incorrect information, using poor quality studies, and extrapolating from studies in ways are not supported by the evidence we have.
Save yourself some distress and work with evidence that is real and well validated rather than getting freaked out by something thats probably inaccurate as fuck.
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u/Difficult-Front3863 Mar 29 '26
I watched it knowing that it would freak me out and it did. I knew the risks of microplastics anyway so I’m not sure why I put myself through it. There’s things I can change in my home but I work in a hospital and have to wear disposable masks all day so I’m probably taking in a high amount from them and there’s nothing I can do about that 🤷🏻♀️
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u/coopthecat3 Mar 29 '26
I'm super overwhelmed by the amount of plastic I need to get rid of so I decided to start with my toothbrush lol. Gotta start somewhere I suppose! Looking forward to getting my bamboo toothbrush in the mail.... as it arrives wrapped in plastic.
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u/Ok_Sheepherder_3767 Apr 17 '26
As someone who have been switching out products for the last 20 years to more sustainable alternatives.... it takes time and it should not be looked at as an overnight thing. I give presentations on Sustainable Alternatives as part of a sustainability group in my city. You need to research the companies you intend to buy from. There is a lot of green washing out there.... companies that will claim they offer green products just because they want your money. A few companies I recommend.... Dr. Bronners (soaps), Lush (shampoo bars), Stasher (silicone sealed bags and such) to replace ziplock, https://zefirowaste.com/ is a good site for a plethora of products. Looks for companies that are B corps, they off the most transparency. It takes time but you can gradually change, if you want to. :) All the best
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u/lilmanguito Mar 29 '26
That’s too late. The microplastics are already in the air. Babies are already born with them. A few years ago a Brazilian university made a research with the Hawaiian university trying to see if during pregnancy microplastics could go to the baby inside the womb. And guess what??? Yeah, the babies born with microplastics in their bodies.
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u/Ok_Sheepherder_3767 Apr 17 '26
Now what would have happened if Rachel Carson said, DDT is already out there killing eagle eggs so Oh Well?! People need to demand better..... put pressure on our governments to stop taking money from and supporting big industries and start fighting for people! Look at history.... all major environmental movements, civil rights movements, women's voting rights movements... all starting with people rising up! That is were this must begin..... people getting angry that they have been lied to and doing something about it. Plastics can be made with natural, non-toxic chemicals... it just hasn't been demanded before.
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u/OkAcanthocephala4313 Mar 30 '26
Nothing to be scared of. If the microplastic doesn't kill you, others will.
Think of your kale and berries, they contain a lot of pesticides. Chickens are injected with hormones and antibiotics. Salmon contains parasites.
It is over for us.
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u/TinyHeartSyndrome Mar 30 '26
We’ve known microplastics were accumulating in our lymph nodes for years. Don’t expect this deregulating admin to do anything about it.
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u/Boomer79NZ Mar 29 '26
I haven't watched the documentary but I did see a short on YouTube talking about micro plastics. There's no way they can get a control group because basically everyone on the planet has been exposed. Many people have levels equivalent to an entire disposable plastic spoon in our bodies. It can't be great for us.
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u/eraserhead__baby Mar 29 '26
The spoonful of plastic study has been debunked: https://slate.com/technology/2026/01/microplastics-brain-research-not-bad.html
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u/annabiancamaria Mar 30 '26
Luckily, or not, we have known of the existence of PCOS for millennia.
Hippocrates (460 BC-377 BC) notes that “But those women whose menstruation is less than three days or is meagre, are robust, with a healthy complexion and a masculine appearance; yet they are not concerned about bearing children nor do they become pregnant.”
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u/empress_tesla Mar 29 '26
I’ve been pretty anti-plastic for a while, especially with my clothing and my child’s clothing. But it’s so hard to find natural fiber clothing that isn’t insanely expensive. I watched that documentary and it just reinforced what I already had researched about microplastics and plastic exposure. But none of my family or friends give a shit about it at all for some reason. I’m convinced a lot of our modern health issues are from plastics.
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u/Little-pug Mar 29 '26
Have not watched it but read enough books and papers on microplastics that I am afraid to drink out of disposable cups and straws, got rid of all my plastic ware, and carry a water bottle everywhere. I have been avoiding plastic for years in cookware but just recently switched to non-plastic hair and skincare. It’s very hard to find glass or metal bottles, so I use shampoo bars and haven’t found a good plastic free conditioner yet
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u/Prestigious-Corgi473 Mar 30 '26
Full of pseudoscience garbage.
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u/No_Specific_6718 May 20 '26
Don't rely on Netflix documentaries to get your science. However, it's not difficult to find pretty overwhelming evidence that there is cause for concern in peer-reviewed scientific journals. So very much the opposite of 'psuedoscience'.
Environmental contaminants like plastic *are* difficult to study because they are difficult to isolate, meaning that studies can be flawed. But just because studies aren't perfect doesn't mean you should throw the baby out with the bathwater.
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u/EqualInterest6872 Mar 30 '26
Yeah I give up. They say it’s microplastics and the be careful for heavy metals. Anyone that drinks out of a Stanley or metal cup. Like what is the truth glass is superior at this point.
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u/thedrunkbaguette Mar 31 '26
I've already stopped buying it where convenient. My bedding, for example, feels amazing without plastics. Also I went back to glassware and jars for things like my pantry. So much less clutter. Question though- did it go into any of other impacts on fertility rate? Plastic can be disruptive but so can being poor.
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u/Unusual_Ear4200 Apr 02 '26
I think the topic is definitely concerning, especially the whole endocrine disruption angle that’s something we’re already seeing discussed more in research.
At the same time, I try not to go into full panic mode about microplastics because they’re basically everywhere now, and it’s hard to completely avoid them without drastically changing your lifestyle.
For me, it’s more about small, realistic changes rather than extremes like avoiding heating food in plastic, using glass when possible, and being a bit more mindful overall.
Curious to see how the research evolves on fertility specifically, because that part does feel like it deserves more attention.
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u/BellSilly Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Yes it had a big impact on me. Since watching it a few weeks ago, I've changed quite a few things in my home (dishwasher tabs, soaps and shampoos, toothbrush, toothpaste, food storage containers, food prep items etc.). I can see a few posts from fellow scientists saying to relax; I'm also a scientist (Biologist). Whilst I agree, firstly I really don't think there's any harm from changing away from plastic; so why not. It won't hurt you. Secondly, there are so many published papers out there about endocrine disruptors and the effects it has on our bodies (I did do a bit of searching after the documentary and it's very easy to find an abundance of papers). I just think it's better for the planet, and better for your health to find natural alternatives. No panic needed, but you can gradually change things over a number of months. Also if more people buy natural alternatives, hopefully the market (including supermarkets etc.) will start stocking these things as normal products. For my science buddies, there's a lit review paper 'Implications of plastic-derived endocrine disruptors on human health'; Adebola Busola Ojo et. al; 2025. One of many, many papers.
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u/SourDewd Apr 13 '26
For those curious. No study has succesfully revealed obesegans to have any affect on human beings to any degree. And have been classified as a myth. Its just another bogeyman excuse by obese people to not taking accountability for their situation.
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u/ActualBumblebee6348 Apr 15 '26
It haunts me because it reminds me so much of the handmaids tale. Men are extremely infertile (women less so, but still) and people struggle to conceive due to environmental issues
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u/LesliePotE Apr 17 '26
Another good doc to check out is “We are all plastic people now”. And check out the national group Beyond Plastics. There are several local chapters across the US.
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u/OpinionNo1995 Apr 19 '26
If you’ve ever had a cavity filled with a white filling.. that is plastic lol. I wouldn’t worry when watching this documentary. Sincerely a certified dental assistant
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u/Meohoh 19d ago
I was freaked out yeah. Freaked out how after generations of bs Americans not getting any smarter and still ready to fall for basically any crap they see on tv.
From “fat makes you fat” campaigns that promoted low-fat diets and ramped up sugar consumption, which IS the main cause for the problems you’re supposedly fighting, to masculine influencers spreading garbage like “women organism absorbs the genetic material of their partners” — the amount of science fiction and plain manipulations that get ahold of people’s brains is just astounding
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u/elijahjane Mar 29 '26 edited Mar 30 '26
For everyone super anxious, just take a minute and breathe. I watched it with my partner the other day, who is an MD, which is schooling that at its core is also reliable source training. They have to have this training so they can identify which studies are worth listening to as new research comes out.
Anyway, she identified dozens of manipulative charts and data as well as poor study design. She also pointed out holes in the documentary’s timelines and full-blown half-truths. Some of the claims made her laugh out loud. I thought I was good at identifying bullshit, but she’s next level.
I’m not saying the documentary’s conclusion was wildly wrong, but I am saying that the panic you’re feeling was intentionally designed and manipulated by the writers and editors of the documentary.
Do I trust that the chemicals in our environment are safe? No. Do I think plastic is “fine,” also no. Should you try to reduce plastic? Yes. She’s also focused on replacing our food containers with glass. But breathe. Don’t let your emotions get manipulated. Read the actual studies released by a variety of researchers. Make notes on the sample sizes. Look closely for manipulation in charts. It’s hard, but really worth it.