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Endocrine Disruptors: What Are They and How Do They Affect Reproductive Hormones and Fertility?

 What Are Endocrine Disruptors — and Why We Should We Care About Them?


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What are Endocrine Disruptors?


Endocrine disruptors — often referred to as EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) — are substances that interfere with the body’s hormonal system. They can mimic, block, or alter hormone function, especially hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which are essential for fertility, reproduction, and long-term hormonal health. EDCs can also affect growth and development, metabolism and increase disease risk.


Unfortunately, endocrine disruptors are everywhere — in our homes, food, water, personal care routines, and even the air we breathe.



Common Sources of Endocrine Disruptors


These chemicals are found in many everyday products, including:

  • Plastics – such as BPA and phthalates

  • Pesticides and herbicides – like glyphosate and banned substances such as DDT

  • Personal care products – including parabens, synthetic fragrances, and chemical sunscreens

  • Industrial chemicals and flame retardants – e.g. PFAS, dioxins, and PCBs


They’re often hiding in:

  • Plastic food containers and cling wrap

  • Non-stick cookware

  • Tinned foods with BPA-lined cans

  • Perfumed skincare and cleaning products

  • Pesticide-treated produce

  • Upholstered furniture, electronics, and fabrics treated with flame retardants



How Do Endocrine Disruptors Affect Hormones?


EDCs disrupt hormonal balance in several key ways:

  • Mimicking natural hormones like oestrogen or androgens, binding to receptors and triggering inappropriate or exaggerated responses

  • Blocking hormone receptors, preventing natural hormones from binding and carrying out their normal functions

  • Interfering with hormone production, synthesis, transport, metabolism, or signalling, leading to imbalances or disrupted communication within the endocrine system


This kind of hormonal interference can have far-reaching effects — particularly on the reproductive system in both men and women.



Reproductive Health Effects of EDC Exposure


In females or those assigned female at birth:

  • Disrupted ovulation and irregular cycles

  • Reduced egg quality and ovarian reserve

  • Higher risk of PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids and miscarriage

  • Exacerbate inflammation and pain

  • Linked to ovarian, cervical, and breast cancer


In males or those assigned male at birth:

  • Reduced sperm count, motility, and morphology

  • Hormonal imbalance and reduced testosterone

  • Increased sperm DNA damage and testicular dysfunction

  • Linked to prostate and testicular cancer


In developing babies through prenatal exposure:

  • Disrupted reproductive organ development

  • Increased risk of fertility and hormone-related disorders later in life



Microplastics in Reproductive Fluids: A Disturbing New Discovery


Two recent 2023 studies have raised serious concerns about microplastics — small plastic particles (<5 mm) — making their way into reproductive tissues:

  • Xie et al. (2023) published in Science of The Total Environment found microplastics in human semen, suggesting direct exposure that may impair sperm function and DNA integrity.

  • Ragusa et al. (2023) in Reproductive Toxicology detected microplastics in follicular fluid retrieved during IVF, meaning developing eggs are coming into direct contact with plastic pollutants.


These findings reveal that environmental exposure isn’t just external — it’s entering our reproductive systems and could be contributing to declining fertility rates.



Reducing Your Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors


While it’s impossible to avoid every source of EDCs, there are meaningful steps you can take to minimise exposure — one change at a time:


Kitchen & Food Storage

  • Choose fresh and unpackaged foods

  • Choose dry goods over canned e.g. dry chickpeas

  • Use glass or stainless steel containers

  • Store food in glass containers

  • Avoid microwaving food in plastic

  • Choose cast iron or non-toxic ceramic cookware

  • Limit BPA-lined tins (especially for tomatoes, beans, soft drinks)


Personal Care & Hygiene

  • Choose fragrance-free and paraben-free skincare, make up and personal care products

  • Avoid chemical sunscreens and synthetic perfumes

  • Try organic tampons or period underwear

  • Use low tox toothpaste

  • Some prescribed medications e.g. the oral contraceptive pill


Home & Cleaning

  • Use natural cleaning products (e.g. Koala Eco)

  • Avoid scented candles and air fresheners

  • Choose wooden utensils and chopping boards

  • Avoid non stick cooking tools as they contain PDOA, PFO

  • Use cast iron pans and avoid non stick products unless they are chemical free

  • Filter your tap water if possible


Tip: Replace products gradually — when something runs out, swap it for a safer alternative.



Helpful Tools to Get Started

  • Think Dirty App – Scan your personal care items and get a safety rating

  • EWG’s Skin Deep Database – Research ingredients and products



My Favourite EDC-Safe Swaps at Home

  • IKEA glass containers for food storage

  • Cast iron pans and Our Place cookware

  • Koala Eco cleaning products

  • Stainless steel or aluminium water bottles

  • Dermaviduals skincare

  • TOM Organic tampons and reusable period underwear

  • Wooden chopping boards and cooking utensils

  • Noosa Basics roll on natural deodorant in Sandalwood

  • Gentil Health Natural Water Based lubricant

  • Wear no fragrance or perfume

  • Organic Farmers Pick Vegetable Box (loose vegetables with minimal plastic packaging)

  • Quality practitioner only prescribed supplements and Bush Tucker Blends Protein and Collagen powders



Final Thoughts


Endocrine disruptors are one of many invisible factors that may be impacting our fertility, hormones, and long-term health. But the good news is that awareness is power — and even small, consistent changes in your environment can make a big difference over time.


If you're on a fertility journey or looking to support hormonal health, reducing exposure to EDCs is a worthwhile step in the right direction.



(03) 9132 0287

@reproductive.acupuncture





Written by Meghan Smith

BHSc (TCM)

AHPRA and AACMA


References

  • Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Bourguignon, J.P., Giudice, L.C., Hauser, R., Prins, G.S., Soto, A.M., Zoeller, R.T. and Gore, A.C., 2009. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrine Reviews, 30(4), pp.293–342. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2009-0002

  • Gore, A.C., Chappell, V.A., Fenton, S.E., Flaws, J.A., Nadal, A., Prins, G.S., Toppari, J. and Zoeller, R.T., 2015. EDC-2: The Endocrine Society's Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Endocrine Reviews, 36(6), pp.E1–E150. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1010

  • Xie, S., Li, X., Gao, S., Wu, H., Liu, X. and Wang, Y., 2023. Detection of microplastics in human semen: A pilot study in China. Science of The Total Environment, 873, p.162320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162320

  • Ragusa, A., Svelato, A., Santacroce, C., Catalano, P., Notarstefano, V., Carnevali, O., Papa, F., Rongioletti, M.C.A., Baiocco, F., Draghi, S. and D’Amore, E., 2023. Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human follicular fluid. Reproductive Toxicology, 117, pp.24–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.01.005

  • Meeker, J.D., Sathyanarayana, S. and Swan, S.H., 2009. Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), pp.2097–2113. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0268

  • Sifakis, S., Androutsopoulos, V.P., Tsatsakis, A.M., Spandidos, D.A. and Vrachnis, N., 2017. Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals: Effects on the male and female reproductive systems. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 51, pp.56–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.02.024

  • Bergman, Å., Heindel, J.J., Jobling, S., Kidd, K.A. and Zoeller, R.T. (eds), 2013. State of the science of endocrine disrupting chemicals 2012. World Health Organization/United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241505031

  • Braun, J.M., 2017. Early-life exposure to EDCs: Role in childhood obesity and neurodevelopment. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 13(3), pp.161–173. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2016.186

  • Liao, C. and Kannan, K., 2014. A survey of alkylphenols, bisphenols, phthalates, and parabens in personal care products from China and the United States. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 67(1), pp.50–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0016-8


 
 
 

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