What Endocrine Disruptors Are (and Why They Matter for Hormones)

Hormones
Written By Kathryn Hampton

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are substances (often synthetic chemicals) that interfere with the body’s hormone network known as the endocrine system.

Hormones are chemical messengers that control everything from metabolism and energy to sleep, mood, and reproductive function. When disruptors interfere, they can:

  • Mimic natural hormones (especially estrogen)

  • Block hormone receptors

  • Alter hormone synthesis, transport, or metabolism

Over time, this can contribute to imbalances that may show up as:

  • Menstrual irregularities

  • Thyroid dysfunction

  • Fatigue

  • Infertility or low libido

  • Skin changes

  • Weight gain or metabolic shifts

  • Mood disturbances (especially anxiety and irritability)

These effects can be subtle and build up over time, making them hard to trace back to one single source.

What Does the Research Say?

Scientific studies link certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to a range of hormone-related concerns. A few notable examples:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA) — Found in plastics and canned food linings. BPA mimics estrogen and has been associated with altered reproductive development and metabolic changes.
    Source: doi: 10.2174/1874467212666190306164507

  • Phthalates — Found in fragrances, soft plastics, and personal care products. Phthalates have been shown to lower testosterone and impact thyroid hormone levels.
    Source: doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129689, doi: 10.3390/toxics13030222

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins — Persistent in the environment. They accumulate in fat tissue and can disrupt thyroid and estrogen pathways.
    Source: doi: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1392257

  • Pesticides like atrazine and glyphosate — Associated with disruption of reproductive hormones and detoxification enzymes.
    Source: doi: 10.3390/toxics9090207

You don’t have to memorize these chemicals. What’s more important is knowing where they commonly show up and how to reduce your exposure over time.

Where Are Endocrine Disruptors Found?

These are the top categories to be aware of:

1. Plastics + Canned Goods

  • BPA, BPS, phthalates

  • Found in: food storage containers, water bottles, aluminum cans, canned food linings, and plastic wrap

2. Personal Care Products

  • Parabens and phthalates act as hormone mimics

  • Common in: moisturizers, deodorant, perfumes, hair products, and makeup

3. Cleaning Supplies + Laundry

  • Synthetic fragrance and surfactants can interfere with detox enzymes and hormone clearance

  • Found in: detergents, dryer sheets, air fresheners, bleach-based products

4. Food + Water

  • Pesticide residues (like organophosphates and glyphosate)

  • Antibiotics and synthetic hormones in conventional meat and dairy

  • Tap water may contain pharmaceutical residue, PFAS, chlorine byproducts, and microplastics

5. Household Products + Furnishings

  • Flame retardants (PBDEs) in furniture, mattresses, and electronics

  • Nonstick cookware (PFOA/PFOS)

  • Scented candles or plug-ins

How Do These Chemicals Actually Disrupt Hormones?

Hormones work like a lock and key, the hormone (key) binds to a specific receptor (lock) to trigger a function. Endocrine disruptors can:

  • Imitate hormones (especially estrogen), binding to receptors and giving false signals

  • Block real hormones from binding to their receptors

  • Change how hormones are made, broken down, or excreted

  • Alter gene expression, affecting how sensitive tissues are to hormones over time

Your body is always trying to maintain balance (homeostasis), but when too many false signals are coming in, that balance can be harder to maintain. This is especially important in women of reproductive age, where estrogen and progesterone levels shift naturally throughout the month.

Common Questions Clients Ask (With Grounded Answers)

“Is this something I should worry about?”

It’s not about fear. It’s about awareness. We’re all exposed, but reducing exposure can help lighten the burden on your hormone, liver, and detox systems. Even small changes can make a difference.

“Will switching out a few products really help?”

Yes. Because many EDCs are lipophilic (stored in fat) or persistent, the less you introduce into your system, the better. Even decreasing your daily intake by 20 to 30 percent can give your body more capacity to regulate naturally.

“Which swaps make the biggest impact?”

Start with things you use every day or apply to your skin:

  • Switch to fragrance-free or essential-oil based lotion and deodorant

  • Use glass or stainless-steel water bottles

  • Ditch air fresheners and plastic food containers

  • Prioritize organic, if possible, when consuming high-pesticide produce (like strawberries, spinach, and apples)

“Do I need a detox?”

In most cases, you need drainage support, not a harsh detox. Your liver, lymph, kidneys, and bowels all work together to eliminate toxins. I use gentle support like herbs, homeopathics, and frequency-based energy tools to support natural elimination without overwhelming the system.

How to Reduce Exposure: A Realistic Approach

Step 1: Start With These 5

  1. Use a glass or stainless-steel water bottle

  2. Switch to natural based deodorant and body lotion (look for labels that say fragrance-free, paraben-free, and phthalate- free)

  3. Skip the synthetic fragrance (including candles and dryer sheets)

  4. Store food in glass containers rather than plastic

  5. Buy organic when possible, for the Dirty Dozen produce:

    • Strawberries

    • Spinach

    • Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens

    • Grapes

    • Peaches

    • Pears

    • Nectarines

    • Apples

    • Bell Peppers & Hot Peppers

    • Cherries

    • Blueberries

    • Green Beans

Step 2: Focus on Drainage Support

  • Eat 25–30g of fiber daily to help with hormone clearance

  • Drink filtered water

  • Support liver health with leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and herbs like milk thistle or burdock

  • Use homeopathics or herbal formulas tailored to lymph, liver, and hormone metabolism (ask your practitioner what’s best for you)

Step 3: Take a Breath

You don’t need to throw out everything or live in a bubble. This is about reducing the burden, not eliminating every trace of exposure. Your body is resilient, and it just needs a little less interference to function how it’s meant to.

Your environment plays a big role in how you feel, how your hormones behave, and how easily your body bounces back from stress. Endocrine disruptors are real, but they’re not unbeatable. Understanding where they hide and making small, science-backed changes helps you stay in control of your health without the pressure of perfection.

Want support navigating hormone imbalance or chronic symptoms naturally? I offer personalized care that blends herbal, energetic, and homeopathic tools to support your body where it’s most stressed. You can learn more or book a session below.

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Kathryn Hampton
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