Endocrine Disruptors

So you may have heard the term endocrine disruptors, and what these are referring to are man-made chemicals that have the ability to interfere with hormonal actions in the body. Generally, a lot of endocrine-disrupting chemicals or compounds don’t have to be only man-made — a lot of them are man-made, but you’ll also find we talked about things like phytoestrogens, or things that act like estrogen. Most endocrine-disrupting compounds actually have a bit of a xenoestrogenic effect. What that means is that they’re very similar in terms of their chemical structure to estrogen, and so they exert an estrogenic effect on the body, which, as we know, in excess — especially if there’s not enough progesterone — can tip that balance of estrogen to progesterone and cause a lot of the symptoms we saw in that first module about estrogen–progesterone imbalance. So we want to avoid — especially if you’re experiencing a lot of these symptoms and especially at this life stage when we really want to prioritize progesterone production over estrogen and keep that balance — adding excess estrogens. The problem is that in our modern environment there are so many compounds that have a xenoestrogenic effect. I’m going to list some of these and where they can be found. But I want to preface this with: when you hear where these endocrine disruptors can be found, you’ll notice they can be everywhere, and it can start to create a bit of panic — “How am I going to avoid contact?” The problem is you can’t avoid contact entirely. What we want is awareness of where they’re found and then making the best choices we can with the things we consume on a daily basis. We don’t have control over everything — and trying to control everything can put us in fight-or-flight, cause health anxiety and stress, which in itself is an endocrine disruptor. So we don’t want to add more stress; we want awareness and better everyday choices. These endocrine disruptors can build up in fat tissue and accumulate with time. This is another reason why, when we’re doing a fat-loss phase or looking to lose weight, we want to do it when the body is working well and metabolic rate is up. When we go into a caloric deficit, the body opens up fat stores for energy. If those fat cells are full of chemicals, toxins, endocrine disruptors, and excess estrogens, they’ll flood into the system. If detox isn’t working properly — if we’re not having daily bowel movements, if metabolism is low — it can cause more issues. So be mindful and intentional when embarking on a caloric deficit. We need to be healthy to lose weight, not the other way around. Let’s look at where these endocrine disruptors are found: Tap water. Drinking and bathing water can contain chemicals and even hormones from hormonal contraception that recirculate in the water supply. Ideally, drink filtered water. Depending on where you live, consider tap and shower filters (e.g., chlorinated hard water in some cities). Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides. Where budget allows, choose foods grown without these. Organic is ideal but not always possible — don’t stress, just be aware. Heavy metals (some act as metalloestrogens) and mold/fungi (mycoestrogens). A moldy home can impact estrogen–progesterone balance. Glyphosate (commonly used on crops like wheat) — an endocrine disruptor. Plastics. Food and beverage containers, storage containers, plastic-lined cans, plastic-lined coffee cups, and receipts (often coated with BPA — a potent xenoestrogen). You can’t avoid plastic entirely, but you can reduce it: use stainless steel or glass for storage and bottles; be mindful with receipts; especially avoid heating plastic (cling film, microwaving plastic containers), which increases leaching. Fragrances and perfumes. Air fresheners, scented candles, and many synthetic fragrances contain chemicals that can be endocrine-disrupting and potent allergens. If using perfume, avoid spraying on skin (spray clothing or walk through a mist). Cleaning products, laundry detergents, softeners. Many conventional products are chemically heavy. There are now plenty of gentler options — choose better alternatives when possible and be mindful of quantity and exposure (e.g., soaking in a just-cleaned, highly fragranced bathtub). Home furnishings. Furniture, carpets, curtains, bedding, mattresses can contain flame retardants and other chemicals. This isn’t always avoidable, but be aware, especially if refurbishing a home. Clothing. Many synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester) are essentially plastic. The skin absorbs; if you live in athleisure all day, consider more natural fibers, especially for items in constant contact (underwear, sleepwear, bedding). Personal care & beauty. Hair dye, makeup (phthalates, silicones), nail polish, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, serums, deodorants, sunscreen — many conventional products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, parabens, silicones. Many brands now avoid these — choose the best you can and simplify where possible. Hormonal birth control & HRT. Birth control stops ovulation (no progesterone). HRT done out of balance, focusing only on estrogen or using progestins instead of bioidentical progesterone, can be endocrine-disrupting. Silicones in lubricants. Consider alternatives (vitamin E or coconut-oil-based options) for a more absorbent, delicate area. Essential oils. Natural doesn’t mean inert. Some (e.g., lavender, tea tree) can have estrogenic effects. Use thoughtfully if you’re experiencing hormonal issues. Phytoestrogens. Soy is a potent phytoestrogen. Small amounts are fine, but heavy reliance (soy milk, processed soy “meats”) can be problematic, especially outside ancestral diet patterns. Alcohol. Especially wine and beer — endocrine-disrupting. Seed oils. Cottonseed, soybean, rapeseed, sunflower oils — associated with endocrine effects and thyroid suppression. Injectables (e.g., Botox, fillers). Though marketed as localized, they have systemic effects and are used regularly (e.g., every three months), adding to total toxic load. If you’re focused on hormone repair, consider pausing while you support your liver. These exposures are everywhere; we’re being bombarded by xenoestrogens. This is one reason many women experience more symptoms today, and why puberty is trending earlier (what’s considered “normal” has shifted). We can’t avoid everything, but we can take steps to lower our toxic load. What can we do? Filtered water where possible: under-sink, countertop, or jug filters; shower filters if needed. Prioritize organic for animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) when budget allows — toxins store in fat. Wash produce well. Use guides like the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” to prioritize which fruits/veg to buy organic if you can. Choose gentler home/personal products. There are many cleaner brands now. Focus first on products you use daily and on large skin areas. Use reusable containers (stainless steel, glass) for water, coffee, and food storage. Candles and scents. Opt for beeswax or naturally scented options; be mindful that expensive doesn’t always mean cleaner. Clothing & bedding. Choose natural fibers for items worn or slept in for long periods. Medications & hormones. Work with your practitioner; if using HRT, favor bioidentical progesterone alongside estrogen, tailored to you. Focus on what you can control and avoid perfectionism. Stress is an endocrine disruptor too. Make the best daily choices you can, and don’t worry about occasional exposures when you’re out and about.