Like so many of us who are immersed in the world of wellness, I try to minimize toxic products in my daily life where possible. I buy mostly natural household cleaning products, use nontoxic nonstick pans and wooden chopping boards for cooking, and favor natural supplement capsules. But when you start digging, it can be shocking to discover how many areas of our lives leave us exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can have disastrous consequences for our hormone health.

“It can be shocking to discover how many areas of our lives leave us exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.”

Obviously, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the possible changes we may have to make to our lifestyles in order to protect our health, but I’m choosing to think about it this way: The number of areas where we might be exposed to hormone-disrupting chemicals just means there are tons of easy changes that we can make without it costing us much time, money or effort.

We can gradually implement these changes over the course of weeks or months, and build up to the bigger ones in time. That way, we’re taking charge of our hormone health without creating unnecessary additional stress for ourselves (our lives can be stressful enough as they are, thank you!).

What are endocrine-disrupting chemicals?

There are several groups of endocrine disruptors that affect our health by “either blocking hormone receptors or mimicking hormones, disrupting their normal function,” says Brittany Beaver, a registered dietitian, certified epigenetics coach, and clean living expert who is a practitioner partner with Needed.

In particular, “the chemicals that you want to avoid are the ones that mimic estrogen in the body — referred to as xenoestrogens,” explains Alisa Vitti, creator of the Cycle Syncing Method and the MyFLO app and author of “WomanCode” and “In the FLO.” “These all wreak havoc on women’s hormones and should be avoided as much as humanly possible.”

The following are common chemicals you should aim to avoid where you can, according to Vitti, Beaver, and Jenya Di Pierro, an herbalist, homeopath, naturopath, and founder of holistic spa and clinic Cloud Twelve in London.

  • PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are also known as “forever chemicals,” which is fairly evocative. These are difficult for our bodies and environments to process, lingering for decades, and are commonly found in nonstick cookware, stain repellents, waterproof clothing, long-wear cosmetics, and fast food packaging.
  • Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products including skincare, makeup, shampoo, and deodorant. These mimic estrogen and disrupt hormone balance as a result.
  • Flame retardants, as you may have inferred, are chemicals used to slow or prevent fires. These are used in most furniture, upholstery, and mattresses, as well as car seats, electronics, and children’s clothing and pajamas. Off-gassing from these items affects our hormones, leading to imbalances and potential developmental issues.
  • Phthalates are chemical solvents that are commonly found in soft plastics (including plastic wrap and children’s toys), artificial fragrances (meaning any cosmetics or candles that include “fragrance” in the ingredients), makeup, nail polish, and cars (that’s where the “new car smell” comes from). Vitti says it’s especially important to keep these chemicals away from children wherever possible because they can block the normal function of testosterone, and cause early puberty and insulin resistance.
  • Atrazine is a type of herbicide often used in crops such as corn, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat, as well as lawns. It can affect the reproductive system in humans.
  • BPA is commonly found in plastic containers and paper receipts.
  • Chlorine is common in swimming pools, as we know, but also in bleach, paper products, insecticides, and paint. Chlorine can remove iodine from the body, which can disrupt thyroid function as well as testosterone production.
  • Organophosphate pesticides are typically used for home gardens as well as agriculture and pest culture, and can disrupt both hormonal health and the nervous system.
  • Glycol ethers are found in oven, floor, and glass cleaners, as well as paint and cosmetics. They can affect fertility and increase the likelihood of miscarriage.

Where are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found?

Unfortunately, endocrine-disrupting chemicals are everywhere in our environments and homes. On a more positive note, though, awareness is the first step towards being able to better protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of these chemicals. “While it’s impossible to avoid them completely, being aware of where they’re found and making safer choices can reduce exposure significantly,” says Di Pierro.

“Awareness is the first step towards being able to better protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of these chemicals.”

As I’ve already touched on, hormone disruptors are found in almost every category of product we encounter every day, not to mention in the air we breathe in and out of the home. The main areas to be especially cognizant of are food and drink, air quality, packaging and food storage, cookware, cosmetics and other personal care items, furniture, clothing, household cleaners and detergents, medicine cabinet items and supplements, and anything made of plastic.

How harmful are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, really?

There’s no point sugarcoating this: The effect of hormone-disrupting chemicals found in everyday products is devastating for our overall health. “Our bodies depend on small amounts of hormones as chemical messengers in the body for many processes such as blood sugar control, sleep/wake cycles, mood, reproduction, growth, and more,” says Beaver. “Even a small amount of endocrine-disrupting chemicals can throw off this delicate balance and interfere with these body processes.”

“There are just too many toxic chemicals in our environments today for these natural detoxing processes to work effectively.”

The expert explains that, though our bodies are designed to detoxify themselves, there are just too many toxic chemicals in our environments today for these natural detoxing processes to work effectively. Depressingly, symptoms of long-term exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals include “preterm birth, infertility, premature puberty, decreased immune function, metabolic changes that can increase risk of diabetes and weight gain, neurological disorders, and even some cancers,” says Beaver.

Vitti also cites early perimenopause and the increased prevalence of PCOS in women (which itself comes with a slew of symptoms) as signs that our endocrine systems are being disrupted at alarming levels. “If you care about your hormonal health, then unfortunately, it lands upon you to create as much of a hormone-safe haven for yourself where and when you can,” Vitti says.

What can consumers do about hormone-disrupting chemicals?

The good news is that we are in control of quite a lot when it comes to exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, and I’m choosing to focus on those aspects I can control rather than stressing myself out over those I can’t. Beaver shares another great mindset shift that can help you not get too overwhelmed: “When thinking about making safer swaps, I like to start with what you are running out of next and things that will make the most impact, like things that sit on the skin the longest or where you spend the most time,” she says.

“I’m choosing to focus on those aspects I can control rather than stressing myself out over those I can’t.”

“When it comes to safeguarding our hormone health, it’s essential to consider not just what we put in our bodies but also what we put on our bodies and how we interact with our environment,” says Beaver. “Our skin, the body’s largest organ, absorbs what we apply to it, making it crucial to choose lotions, soaps, skincare, and makeup that do not contain hormone-disrupting ingredients.”

Beaver also emphasizes the importance of making hormone-healthy food and beverage choices, including avoiding plastic packaging and never heating up food in plastic containers. “This can increase the leaching of harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals into your food,” the expert explains.

She also cites clothing as an area to improve where we can. “It’s not just about fabric choices but also about what we wash our clothes, bedding, and towels with, as these materials come into constant contact with our skin,” Beaver says. “Opting for fragrance-free detergents and avoiding dryer sheets can significantly reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.”

“Protecting our hormone health isn’t just about removing potentially toxic products, but also about adding in hormone-balancing habits.”

Some more good news is that protecting our hormone health isn’t just about removing potentially toxic products, but also about adding in hormone-balancing habits, Di Pierro points out.

She recommends focusing on a health-supporting diet rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, and reducing sugar, as well as “prioritizing deep sleep, managing stress, and syncing with natural light cycles [to] help regulate cortisol and melatonin.” Di Pierro also calls out gentle exercise and herbal remedies as wonderfully supportive ways to protect your hormonal health.

More ways to reduce daily exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals:

And some final words of wisdom from Beaver: “My biggest tip is to not feel overwhelmed when making safer swaps. Every swap improves your toxic burden and reduces your exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals to support your overall health!”

THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT NEEDED

Iris Goldsztajn (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor based in London, UK. Her work has been featured in British Vogue, Marie Claire, Refinery29, SELF, Bustle and many more. Iris can typically be found on her way to a fitness class or with her nose in a good book.