Understanding the Connection Between Endocrine Disruptors and Menopause

From cookware to cosmetics, it may seem as if “endocrine disrupting chemicals” (EDCs) are everywhere.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), unfortunately, they pretty much are. The NIH describes EDCs, found in food, water, and even the air, and they are classified as natural or human-made chemicals that may imitate or interfere with our body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system.¹ And according to Dr. Alyssa Dweck, Chief Medical Officer at Bonafide, everyone should be aware of them— including those navigating a hormonal transition like menopause. 

“All people should be mindful of chemicals that are considered to be endocrine disruptors, which are synthetic chemicals found commonly in day-to-day products and the environment that can disrupt normal hormonal processes and signaling in the body,” explains Dr. Dweck. 

In this post, we talk more about how EDCs can impact menopause and what women can do to stay vigilant and lower their exposure, including insights from Dr. Alyssa Dweck.

What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?

Leading experts state that only one percent of the world’s 85,000 man-made chemicals have been studied for safety— among them, 1,000 or more may be classified as EDCs.² We encounter these substances through the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the products we use every single day.³ While it’s impossible to cover them all, we’ll explore some of the most common EDCs, below. 

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Food and Water

Scientific literature suggests that there are two classes of EDCs—phthalates and bisphenols— that are commonly used in plastic packaging, which can potentially penetrate into the food we eat.⁴ Foods and beverages most at risk are those packaged in plastics and/or those with long shelf-lives, such as:⁵

• Water bottles
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Snack foods wrapped in plastic 

Other types of EDCs, like Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are used as water repellents on certain types of cookware and may contaminate food cooked within them.⁶

“Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) —also known as forever chemicals because they can linger for years in the environment— are found in products such as some cosmetic and personal care products and nonstick cookware textiles,” cautions Dr. Dweck.  “Due to long term and widespread use, PFAS have been detected in water, soil, and air and can be associated with adverse health effects including cancer, which is already more common with age and reproductive hormonal shifts”.

Chemicals to Consider— Endocrine Disrupting Compounds List

The list of EDCs is long, but there are several main culprits topping the list in terms of levels of exposure and risk. A few of these more common EDCs are:

Parabens

Parabens are often used as preservatives to ward off harmful yeast, fungi, and bacteria. Some of the most commonly used parabens in packaged products include:⁷

• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Isobutylparaben

While they may extend shelf-life, parabens may pose health risks, according to Dr. Dweck. 

“Parabens are commonly used as a preservative in personal care products,” says Dr. Dweck. “Parabens can mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances and adverse health effects."

Phthalates

Phthalates, which are chemicals used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastics, are used in self-care products like deodorants, nail polish, shampoos, soaps, and similar items.⁸ In pre-clinical studies,  exposure to phthalates has been linked to developmental and reproductive issues such as early onset of puberty, congenital defects, lower sperm counts in adult males, and more.⁹

“Phthalates are occasionally used in plastics and some fragrances; exposure may be associated with reproductive or developmental toxicity, and potentially increased risk of certain cancers,” adds Dr. Dweck.

Does Endocrine Disruption Impact Menopause?

According to Dr. Dweck, hormonal changes during the menopause transition may make women potentially more susceptible to the effects of endocrine disruptors.

“Estrogen production is variable and quite volatile during perimenopause and both estrogen and progesterone levels are very low in menopause. Testosterone production also declines during midlife,” explains Dr. Dweck. “These dramatic hormone changes can make women more susceptible to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can act like or interfere with estrogen and are ubiquitous in the environment.”

These endocrine disruptions can interfere with a number of bodily systems, like metabolism, reproduction, and development, to name a few.¹⁰ 

“EDCs can interfere with metabolism and normal hormone signaling,” adds Dr. Dweck. “This disruption is in the presence of already existing hormone changes noted during menopause.”

Endocrine Changes in Menopause

According to research, EDCs may not only disrupt women’s metabolic and reproductive systems, but they may also be associated with an earlier onset of menopause.¹¹ 

In a study examining the blood and urine analysis of 5,700 women, those with the highest amounts of phthalates and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were shown to have gone through menopause an average of 2.5 years before the others.¹² Experts believe these effects are a result of EDCs blocking connections between hormones and their receptors, mimicking natural hormone activity and “tricking” receptors into action.¹³ 

Those most affected, according to Dr. Dweck, may also experience an earlier onset of menopause and menopause symptoms.¹⁴

Lowering Exposure to EDCs

While it’s likely impossible to avoid all EDCs, it is possible to lower your exposure to them.

A few things you can do to make more informed choices, according to subject matter experts are:^{15, 16, 17}

• Read product labels to see what food, cosmetics, and packaging are made of
• Minimize consumption of processed and plastic-packed food and beverages
• Store canned and plastic-packaged foods in cool, dry areas
• Avoid microwaving or heating food in plastic containers
• Consider filtering tap water
• Reduce pesticide use in the home
• Wash fruits and vegetables with water before consuming

And of course, if you have any specific questions or concerns about EDCs, it’s important to check in with your healthcare provider. They can help to provide more details, potentially determine your risk and suggest ways to avoid additional exposure.

Resources

1. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine
2. https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are/common-edcs
3. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/edcs
4. https://stop.publichealth.gwu.edu/LFD-dec21
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7394369/
6. https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are/common-edcs/pfas
7. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-parabens
8. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/research/supported/translational/peph/resources/assets/docs/phthalates_the_everywhere_chemical_zero_breast_cancer_508.pdf
9. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/research/supported/translational/peph/resources/assets/docs/phthalates_the_everywhere_chemical_zero_breast_cancer_508.pdf
10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096007601100166X
11. https://medicine.washu.edu/news/environmental-chemicals-linked-to-early-menopause/
12. https://medicine.washu.edu/news/environmental-chemicals-linked-to-early-menopause/
13. https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are/common-edcs/reproduction
14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35292812
15. https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-you-can-do#
16. https://prhe.ucsf.edu/press-release/dietary-changes-can-reduce-exposure-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-figo-study-shows
17. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/9-ways-avoid-hormone-disrupting-chemicals