Environmental hormones, also known as “endocrine disruptors,” are chemicals that may either act like, or interfere with, your body’s natural hormones. Needless to say, given the lifelong and critical impact of hormones on women’s health, understanding what environmental hormones are and what damage they can do should be central to your overall health program. But it’s also critical to protecting the health of your children.

Potential Damage from Environmental Hormones
According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, these hormones can reduce fertility, and may play a role in the development of cancers and reproductive disorders such as endometriosis.

In addition, they may affect developing reproductive and nervous systems and organs in infants and fetuses.

What Environmental Hormones Have You Been Exposed To?
Some of the most common environmental hormones that have been shown to damage human health include:

  • DDT (officially dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), a pesticide now banned in the U.S., and several other pesticides.
  • PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), chemicals that have been banned for most uses in the U.S. but remain in the soil and water.
  • DES (diethylstilbestrol), a drug initially used to prevent miscarriages but subsequently banned in the 1970s due to adverse fetal effects. For example, the daughters of some women who took DES have developed reproductive problems and vaginal and cervical cancers.
  • Phthalates and BPA (bisphenol A), endocrine disruptors commonly used in plastics (including plastic “bottled water” containers). According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, research suggests that these chemicals may affect fetal development, and scientists are still studying these substances in order to understand their impacts on human health.


Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to Environmental Hormones
Think organic; avoid your exposure to pesticides in food and elsewhere. While you can rely on your public water system (which tests regularly for PCBs), if you have a private well, have your water tested. Avoid boiling or microwaving foods or liquids in hard plastic food containers, because this may release BPAs into your food.

In addition, because phthalates may be found in some plastic medical devices, the FDA recommends that phthalate-free equipment be used in certain medical procedures when possible – something to keep in mind if your condition brings you into regular contact with plastic medical devices.

Ways to Protect Your Children from Environmental Hormones
Studies suggest that because phthalates may affect the development of male reproductive system it’s especially important that this particular environmental hormone be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, male infants, and male children near the age of puberty.

Also, parents of babies need to take special care, because infants are especially sensitive to the effects of BPAs. You’ll want to be sure to use BPA-free plastic bottles and training cups; glass bottles or bottles with BPA-free plastic liners; and microwave-save glass or paper dishes covered with paper towels – rather than plastic – in the microwave.

And when it comes to toys, caution is your friend. It wasn’t until 1999 that U.S. toy manufacturers stopped using phthalates in pacifiers and teethers, and only California has banned the sale of toys and baby products that contain phthalates.

Your best bet?  Assume that all plastic toys and containers contain either PCBs and/or phthalates until proven otherwise, and avoid if possible.