Hey there 👋
If you’ve found yourself here, chances are you’re on a journey of understanding your body better—maybe even trying to decode some mysteries around fertility, PCOS, or endometriosis. Well, grab your favourite herbal tea and cozy up because we’re diving into something that’s quietly lurking in our environment and wreaking havoc with our hormones: environmental toxins, pollutants & endocrine disruptors.
What the heck are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
Think of your hormones as little messengers, zipping around your body to keep things running smoothly and in balance —like ovulation, your menstrual cycle, sperm production, mood regulation & pregnancy. EDCs are chemicals that sneak in and mess with this messaging system. Imagine a spammer breaking into that system, messing up those messages, and creating chaos. That’s what EDCs do. In other words, they cause hormone chaos.
They’re found in everyday stuff like:
Plastics (hello, BPA and phthalates 🧴)
Pesticides & herbicides on our food 🍎
Glyphosate, a popular weed killer sprayed around playgrounds, gardens & used in backyards.
Beauty products (yep, that delicious smelling shampoo you love might be guilty) 💄
Furniture
Paint
Household cleaners 🧽
Perfumes (there’s a good reason these are banned in IVF clinics!)
Tinned foods
Water repellent clothing
Non-stick pans& much more…
Here’s What We’re Dealing With:
Nearly 85,000 human-made chemicals exist today, only around 1% have been tested for safetyand 1,000 or more are suspected endocrine disruptors, according to the Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are/common-edcs
They don’t just mimic or block hormones—they interfere with how hormones are made, transported, and broken down in your body.
Evidence suggests that EDCs in the environment contribute to a range of health complications such as diabetes, neurological disorders, reproductive disorders, inflammation, and compromised immune functioning.
How They Impact Women’s Fertility
EDCs don’t discriminate—they affect everyone, whether you’re dealing with PCOS, endometriosis, fertility issues, or just trying to maintain a healthy reproductive system.
For Women
Exposure to EDCs has been linked to:
Disrupted menstrual cycles
Impaired ovarian function, reducing egg quality
Increased risk of ovulatory disorders from air pollution exposure
Higher miscarriage rates, preterm birth, and low birth weight due to heavy metals and pollutants.
If you have PCOS or endometriosis, EDCs can amplify your challenges:
PCOS: These chemicals can worsen hormonal imbalances, leading to more irregular cycles and increased insulin resistance.
Endometriosis: EDCs like dioxins may fuel inflammation and abnormal tissue growth, exacerbating symptoms.
Men, You’re Not Off the Hook!
Ladies aren’t the only ones feeling the sting of EDCs . Gentlemen, your swimmers (aka sperm) are under attack too. EDs can:
Reduce sperm count
Impact sperm shape and movement
Lower testosterone levels.
That means fertility challenges aren’t just a “her” thing—they’re an “us” thing.
The Heavy Metal Villains
Let’s shine a spotlight on two particularly nasty players:
Lead: Exposure is linked to fertility impairments, spontaneous abortions, and even stillbirths.
Mercury: This toxic metal can cause birth defects and neurological disorders in developing babies, making it a serious concern for couples trying to conceive.
It’s Not Just About Fertility
The damage caused by EDCs doesn’t stop at fertility challenges. These sneaky disruptors affect virtually every system in the body, creating a ripple effect of health issues that go far beyond reproductive health. Here’s how they impact the bigger picture:
Developmental Problems in Children: EDCs can cause delays in growth, cognitive function, and motor skills, especially when exposure occurs during pregnancy or early childhood.
Neurological Disorders: These chemicals are linked to memory issues, learning disabilities, ADHD, and even mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Immune Dysfunction: EDCs weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammation.
Cancers: EDCs such as BPA and pesticides elevate the risk of hormone-driven cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
Thyroid Conditions: They disrupt thyroid hormone production, leading to metabolism issues, mood imbalances, and energy irregularities.
Insulin Resistance & Diabetes: EDCs interfere with blood sugar regulation, contributing to insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes in pregnancy.
But here’s the good news: you have more control over your exposure then you think![BN2]
As a naturopath, I’m all about empowering you to make changes that bring your body back into balance. While we can’t live in a bubble (and who would want to?!), there are steps we can take to reduce our exposure to EDs and protect our fertility and our health long term (these chemicals impact more than just our fertility after all!).
Simple Ways to Minimise ED Exposure:
Go Organic (When You Can): Choose organic fruits, veggies, and meat to reduce pesticide exposure. The next best option is to head to your local farmers markets and opt for produce that’s ‘spay free’. Have a chat to the farmers and see what information you learn.
Check the ingredient list of foods: I’m not talking about macros or calories here either, I mean that list of ingredients that tells you what you are about to put into your body. Are there any words that you can’t quite understand or a list of numbers? If you aren’t sure, it’s best to leave that on the shelf. Check out this blog for more information on food additives and preservatives: you can also check out the EWG database to look up ingredient names.
Ditch the Plastics: Use glass or stainless steel for food storage and avoid heating food in plastic containers or wraps.
Clean Beauty Products: Look for products free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Filter Your Water: A good water filter can remove contaminants, including hormone-disrupting chemicals. I love my Zazen glass bench top water filter.
DIY Cleaning Products: Simple mixes of vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils work wonders without harmful chemicals. Alternatively, you can find many natural cleaning products.
Air quality: if you live in a city, have a new home, live in an area with high exposure to pollutants such as industrial chemicals or farming chemicals I would recommend getting a HEPA air purifier. I would also recommend this for those doing renos or who live in a water damaged building.
Cooking: Avoid non-stick cookware and instead, opt for stainless steel or cast-iron cookware.
Smoked meats: avoid eating smoked or burnt meats to reduce exposure to Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Instead, cook meats on lower temperatures and add antioxidants such as rosemary to red meats while cooking.
Reusable coffee cup: Buy yourself a reusable stainless steel takeaway coffee cup instead of using single use cups.
Sunscreen: get rid of those toxic chemical sunscreens and consider a natural mineral based alternative alongside covering up when the UV is the highest. Many chemical sunscreens contain EDCs along with cancer-causing chemicals that we don’t want to be lathering all over our bodies – they do absorb through your skin!
Perfumes & Deodorants: Ditch your perfumes and anti-perspirant deodorants. Instead switch to natural essential oil-based perfumes (such as oneseed) and aluminium-free natural deodorants.
The Bigger Picture
While it might feel overwhelming, remember this: every small step counts. By reducing your exposure to EDCs, you’re not just supporting your fertility—you’re nurturing your overall health. And if you’re dealing with PCOS or endometriosis, know that you’re not alone. The journey can be tough, but with the right tools, support, and mindset, you’ve got this.
Here’s to thriving hormones and happy, healthy bodies. You deserve nothing less! 💕
Until next time,
Allison ✨
Clinical Women's Health Naturopath
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