Endocrine Disruptors: What Are They and Should I Be Worried?

Dr Natalie Hutchins
Apr 22
8 min read

By Dr Natalie Hutchins and Eleanor Riches

Endocrine Disruptor Stamps — Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that interfere with your hormones.

If information about endocrine disruptors has you feeling anxious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Awareness of these chemicals is growing, and so are the questions. With so much information (and misinformation) floating around, it can be hard to know what to take away from it all: are they really as harmful as they sound? Are we all exposed? And if so, what can we do about it?

This article breaks down what we really know about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) based on current science. It’s not about fear or avoiding everything – it’s about building awareness and understanding where small, realistic changes can make a difference.

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that interfere with your hormones.

Your endocrine system is your body’s internal communication network, made up of glands and hormones.1 Your hormones act like messengers, sending signals to control important functions like metabolism, sexual development, reproduction, growth, and mood.

EDCs disrupt this messaging by mimicking, blocking, or changing how hormones are produced and behave.2 That means they have the potential to throw off a lot of these essential functions, especially during sensitive life stages like puberty, pregnancy or early development.

These chemicals aren’t rare. In fact, they show up in a lot of things we use every day. Here are some of the most common types of EDCs and where they’re found:

BPA: Found in hard plastics, canned food linings and thermal receipts.
Phthalates: Used to make plastics flexible and add fragrances to cosmetics and cleaning products.
PFAS: Known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down easily. They’re used to make products resistant to water, oil and stains – found in non-stick cookware, clothing and food packaging.
Parabens: Used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products like shampoos and lotions.
Dioxins: These are by-products released during chemical manufacturing. They can build up in the food chain, mainly in animal products.
Pesticides and Herbicides: When used in farming, these chemicals can find their way into everyday products through soil and water.

What worries people about EDCs is that these chemicals don’t just disappear. Some can build up in your body over time, and many can hang out in the environment long after their initial use.

Understanding what EDCs are, where they come from and what they do is the first step towards reducing your exposure. No panic, just awareness and smart choices.

Are We All Exposed to Endocrine Disruptors?

In short, yes, most of us are. EDCs are pretty much everywhere: in the air, our food and water, and a lot of products we use every day.3 That might sound alarming, but remember: exposure doesn’t automatically mean harm.

Most EDCs are found in plastics, but for them to pose a real risk, the particles need to be small enough to be inhaled or absorbed through the gut. The most common ways EDCs enter the body are by consuming contaminated food and drink, inhaling microplastic dust, or using certain skincare and cleaning products. Tiny amounts can also pass from mother to baby through the placenta4 or breast milk.5 While our skin is generally a strong barrier against EDCs, vulva tissue is more permeable, making period products a concern when it comes to EDC exposure.6

Hormones work in tiny doses, so our endocrine system is super sensitive. This means that even small amounts of EDCs can potentially have an impact, especially while the endocrine system is still developing, like during early development, puberty or pregnancy.7

Some of these chemicals (like PFAs and dioxins) can stay in the body for a long time, building up in fat tissue and becoming harder to break down. This is why they’re sometimes called ‘persistent’ or ‘forever chemicals’.8

But here’s the important thing to remember: being exposed to EDCs doesn’t mean you need to panic. It would be nearly impossible to avoid all EDCs in everyday life. Learning where the exposure comes from and taking small, practical steps to reduce it is a good place to start.

What Does the Research Say?

Research on endocrine disruptors is growing quickly but still has a long way to go. The main challenge is how difficult it is to measure an unknown mixture of low-dose, long-term exposure in humans. While we’re still learning, it’s increasingly clear that there’s a link between EDCs and hormone-related health issues. Let’s break it down:

1. Fertility

There’s growing evidence that some EDCs are connected to changes in reproductive hormones and fertility. Phthalates, for example, have been linked to lower levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a hormone used to measure ovarian reserve. In other words, phthalates may reduce egg quality and quantity.9

BPA, which behaves like oestrogen, can bind to oestrogen receptors and disrupt hormonal feedback loops. Research has found that women with higher BPA levels are more likely to experience disruptions in ovulation and fertility challenges.10

PFAS are also thought to interfere with reproductive hormones and have been associated with longer menstrual cycles, anovulation (absence of ovulation), and lower success rates in IVF.11 Meanwhile, pesticide exposure during pregnancy has been linked with birth defects and breastfeeding problems.12

2. Menstrual Disorders

Endometriosis is a complex condition driven by hormones, specifically oestrogen. The exact cause behind endometriosis is still uncertain, but evidence suggests EDCs might be part of the puzzle. One review found strong evidence linking exposure to EDCs (particularly BPA and phthalates) to inflammation, hormone changes, and the growth and spread of endometriosis.13

Early research also suggests that phthalates may play a role in fibroid development. By mimicking oestrogen, these chemicals can disrupt hormone signalling and trigger abnormal tissue growth in the uterus.14

Researchers also believe these effects could be down to epigenetics (when exposure to chemicals changes how our genes work without changing the genes themselves). This could help explain why early life exposure to EDCs can show up as symptoms years later.15

3. Thyroid Function

The thyroid gland is like your body’s thermostat; it’s an essential part of the feedback loop that regulates hormone production, so even minor changes can have ripple effects throughout the body.

EDCs have been shown to interfere with how thyroid hormones are made, moved, processed and used in the body.16 In some cases, they can slow the function of the thyroid, known as hypothyroidism.17 PFAS also have a similar structure to thyroid hormones and can bind to the proteins that carry them, lowering hormone availability in the body.18

Your thyroid also controls your metabolism, with EDCs being shown to trigger changes. BPA and certain phthalates are now considered “obesogens” because they influence appetite, fat storage and how our bodies regulate energy.19

4. Cancer Risk

EDCs that mimic oestrogen are being studied for their potential role in hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer. EDCs can stimulate breast tissue to grow, particularly during sensitive times like puberty or pregnancy, which may contribute to long-term cancer risk.20 Some studies have also found links between prenatal exposure to PFAS and a higher risk of breast cancer in adulthood.21

It’s really important to say: these findings don’t mean using a specific product will lead to cancer. But do highlight how small exposures over time might add up, especially when they happen during critical stages of development.

So, What Does This All Mean?

Let’s take a breath here. This topic can feel like a lot. EDCs are part of our everyday environment, and while the science is still evolving, one thing is clear: This isn’t about panicking; it’s about paying attention.

Experts consider EDCs a public health concern not because every exposure is dangerous but because of how they work over time. Here’s what that means:

Small amounts have an impact

Typically, the higher the dose of chemicals, the more harmful – but this doesn't hold up with EDCs. Because hormones work in such tiny amounts, EDCs can affect the body even at very low levels. Plus, we don’t yet know whether specific combinations of chemicals could amplify their individual effects.

Timing matters

Exposure to EDCs that might not do much to a fully grown adult could have a bigger impact during hormone-sensitive times like pregnancy or puberty, when the endocrine system is still developing.

The research isn’t saying one exposure will cause harm, but it’s clear that how much, when, and how often we’re exposed matters. This is why experts often talk about the “precautionary principle”. It means if we know something might carry a risk, and we have the chance to reduce that risk, it makes sense to do so – especially during sensitive life stages.

How Can I Reduce Exposure Without Stressing Out?

It’s not about living in fear, it’s about being aware, making informed choices where we can, and remembering that small steps really do add up. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to cut down on endocrine disruptors. It’s about making small, doable swaps that add up over time.22

Here are some ideas on where to start:

Swap plastic containers for glass or stainless steel for food and drinks. Try using water filters instead of bottled water.
Avoid heating plastic containers (even if they’re labelled microwave-safe) because heat can speed up chemical leaching.
Be mindful of other ways plastic can break down: putting containers in the dishwasher, leaving them in direct sunlight, storing acidic foods in them, or using plastic chopping boards.
Read labels and choose products that are free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances (especially period products).
Open windows regularly to clear out air pollution and dust with a damp cloth to pick up chemical particles. Consider using a HEPA air filter to help reduce airborne particles and plastic dust.
Go easy on processed and packaged foods – the less packaging, the lower the potential chemical contact.
Support better choices. Whether it’s a brand using safer ingredients or policies that push for cleaner products, your voice and your spending power matter!

The Bottom Line: Be Informed, Not Afraid

Endocrine disruptors can feel like a lot to take in, and that’s okay. The science is still unfolding, but we know enough to start making simple, smart choices. The goal isn’t perfection: it’s about being aware, tuning into what feels manageable and making small changes that support your health over time.

References