How Endocrine Disruptors Affect Reproduction

Endocrine Disruptors are natural and/or man-made chemicals that can interfere with the body’s hormone & cell signaling system (aka: the endocrine system).  Endocrine disruptors adversely affect reproductive health by mimicking or blocking the effects of male and female sex hormones.

 

Known endocrine disruptors include chemicals such as: dioxins, BPA, arsenic, parabens, phthalates, mercury, PCBs & more. Many of us are exposed to these chemicals daily.

How are we exposed to endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are ubiquitous in our environment, and we can be exposed through AIR, WATER, FOOD, and our SKIN. Household dust, flame retardants in bedding & furniture, food packaging, agriculture runoff, pesticides, & certain ingredients in skin and beauty products can all contain endocrine disruptors.

What we know about endocrine disruptors and reproduction:

-Large body of research in animals and wildlife suggest endocrine disruptors may cause reductions in male fertility & female reproductive health issues, including fertility problems.

-Endocrine disruptors mimic estrogen, posing the greatest risk during prenatal & early postnatal development.

-Clear evidence exists that some endocrine disrupting chemicals cause effects in wildlife. Limited evidence exists for these effects in humans at environmental exposure levels.

How to minimize your exposure:

1. Choose organic food & products when possible (I love Burt’s Bee Baby for organic baby clothes).
2. Drink filter water &/or purchase a household water filter.
3. Reduce plastic use.  Do not microwave or store food in plastic.
4. Swap out nonstick cookware for ceramic, glass or cast iron (mercola.com has a variety of cookware options).
5. Switch to safer skin care that has evaluated it’s ingredients (I love Beautycounter!)
6. Eat fewer animal products.
7. Purchase a HEPA air filter.

 

Pre-conception, pregnancy, and the early postnatal period are critical windows where erring on the side of caution has benefits.  It’s the time where baby is most susceptible to physical harm that can impact long-term health.  Do what you can do prevent it now!  If you’re currently pregnant, read this post on the things NOT to do when you’re pregnant.

 

*This post contains links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

References:

• https://www.marchofdimes.org/news/learn-to-protect-your-baby-from-environmental-hazards.aspx
• https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2009/12/ewgs-10-tips-less-toxic-pregnancy
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28356401