Environmental Estrogens

Environmental Estrogens are man-made, chemical, synthetic versions of the naturally produced estrogen in a woman’s body. These synthetic forms are found in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the household cleaners we use, and the pharmaceutical drugs we take.

Many women, with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, are naturally more sensitive to the effects of hormones. This man-made type of estrogen can create complications associated women’s’ health, especially if she has PCOS and is taking birth control pills. The magnitude of the impact, on one’s health depends on the sensitivity of your body. However, it’s apparent that women’s bodies are becoming more sensitive to these man-made types of estrogen with the increasing difficulties of getting pregnant along with the increasing number of PCOS cases. This is only the beginning of a problem that could become much greater if people don’t become more aware of the effects of these synthetic types of estrogen.

Environmental Estrogens Can Be Found In…

• Pesticides Used to grow fruits and vegetables that aren’t grown organically.

• Pharmaceutical Drugs

• Household Products Ingredients found in household cleaners and laundry detergents.

• Plastics Found in the containers our food is packaged and stored in.

An Italian study performed in December of 2008, reported that xenoestrogens found in food-additives has been linked to reproductive problems in animals and possibly humans. Currently, there are more than 3,000 food additives used by manufactures today. Food-additives are the ingredients on a food label that you don’t have any idea, what it actually is; such as propylgallate. Food additives are used, to extend the shelf-life of a product, to add “nutritional” value, or to add color or flavor to a product.

All of the food additives and environmental estrogens in our daily lives has negatively impacted a woman’s ability to conceive naturally. It’s evident by looking around and talking with your friends, that many are facing fertility issues. A contributing factor to this could be that women are waiting longer to have children, but that alone is not the only issue responsible for this current situation.

By cleaning up your environment and your body, your hormones will be able to function properly. Over the years, since my initial diagnosis with PCOS, about ten years ago, my diet, my lifestyle, and my house has drastically changed. Most recently, I’ve started storing all of my leftover food in glass containers instead of plastic. Never, ever heat any food up in the microwave in a plastic container.

Changes to Decrease Your Exposure to Environmental Estrogens

• Buy organic produce when possible and make sure to wash ALL your fruits and vegetables with apple cider vinegar diluted in water.

• Choose foods that don’t have any preservatives, additives, or chemicals. Yes, this means you have to read the label!

• Select foods that don’t come in a lot of plastic packaging.

• Store your food in glass containers instead of plastic.

• Select an all-natural, organic, laundry detergent.

• Use body wash, face wash, shampoo, lotion, etc. that is ORGANIC. The skin is the largest organ; it’s more sensitive to chemicals and additives.

• Don’t take birth control pills; explore other methods of contraception.

• Eliminate harsh household cleaners, replacing them with natural alternatives; baking soda, lemon juice, and white vinegar with water are excellent options!

Resources Knoblauch, J. (2009). Food may contain environmental estrogens. environmental Health News, Retrieved from http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/estrogenic-food-additives

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