Are endocrine disruptors messing with your fertility?
If you're trying to conceive and feeling like you're doing all the right things—but your hormones still feel out of balance—it might be time to look at something often overlooked: endocrine disruptors.
These sneaky little chemicals are hiding in everyday products and can mess with your body's natural hormone balance, especially oestrogen! Let’s break it down together 🩷
What are endocrine disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are man-made chemicals that interfere with your body’s hormone system. Think of them as hormonal imposters or blockers. They can mimic oestrogen (hello, estrogen dominance 😫), disrupt how hormones are processed and eliminated, and throw your whole cycle off balance.
This kind of disruption can lead to symptoms like:
Irregular periods
PMS or heavy periods
Mood swings
Weight gain
and difficulty conceiving
And the tough part? These disruptors are everywhere—from what we eat and drink to the products we put on our skin.
How they disrupt oestrogen and why that matters for fertility
Endocrine disruptors often act like xenoestrogens—foreign substances that behave like oestrogen in the body. When your body thinks there’s more oestrogen than there actually is, it can tip you into a state of oestrogen dominance.
That means:
Your cycle might get longer or more painful
Your body might struggle to ovulate regularly
Your chances of falling pregnant could be affected
But the good news? You can reduce your exposure and support your body's natural detox pathways.
How can I reduce my exposure?
The fact is, avoiding endocrine disruptors in today’s environment is nearly impossible. But we can reduce our exposure and reduce the load they have on our body (think of it as the same as eating 1 Tim Tam vs the entire packet!)
Let’s take a look at some common sources of endocrine disruptors—and what you can do instead:
Plastics
Plastics break down into microplastics, which can interfere with hormone signalling. Here are a few easy swaps:
Store food and water in glass or stainless steel
Don’t microwave plastic containers (even if they say microwave-safe!)
Avoid cling wrap, especially on warm or oily foods
Say no to bottled water and takeaway cups—bring your own reusable bottle or mug
Swap tea bags for loose-leaf tea with a stainless steel infuser
Swap your plastic chopping board for a wooden one
Skip skincare with microbeads—these are often hidden microplastic sources
Fragrance
That signature scent or “fresh” smelling cleaner? Often full of synthetic chemicals that disrupt your hormones.
Choose fragrance-free or naturally-scented personal care and cleaning products
Switch to natural lubricants and non-toxic condoms without spermicide
Slowly transition your skincare & cleaning products to clean, low-tox options
Heavy metals
These can show up in your water, deodorant, and even cosmetics.
Use filtered or tank water when you can
Opt for natural roll-on deodorants without aluminium or parabens
Pesticides & hormones in food
Food is a common source of hormone disruptors, but you can reduce your intake with a few mindful swaps:
Choose organic produce when possible
Wash all fruits and veggies well
Opt for hormone-free or grass-fed meats if you can afford to
Are you worried you might have high oestrogen?
If you’re noticing signs of estrogen dominance or feel like something’s off in your cycle—you’re not alone. It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to do everything “right” and still not seeing results.
If you suspect your hormones are being impacted by endocrine disruptors (or you just want to get to the root of what’s going on), I’d love to help.
✨ Book a consultation and let’s chat about what’s going on with your cycle, your environment, and your lifestyle—so we can make a personalised plan to support your fertility naturally.
Your body wants to be in balance, and sometimes it just needs the right support to get there. Let’s do this together 🩷
