How Reproductive Health And EDCs Are Connected?

EDCs or Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals are exogenous chemicals that interfere with hormone action, thereby increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes, including cancer, reproductive impairment, cognitive deficits, and obesity. In this article, we’ll have a look at how your reproductive health can be affected by EDCs.

In some ways, it’s not surprising that EDCs cause unfortunate consequences. For instance, since human reproductive processes are similar to those of other species, many pest-control chemicals designed to harm pest reproductive systems also damage people’s reproductive systems.

Cut down EDCs from your day to day life as they can disrupt several hormones, which is why they have been linked to numerous adverse human health outcomes including alterations in sperm quality and fertility, abnormalities in sex organs, endometriosis, early puberty, altered nervous system function, immune function, certain cancers, respiratory problems, metabolic issues, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, growth, neurological and learning disabilities, and more.

Female Reproduction and EDCs

EDCs affect the duration of fertility. In girls, early exposure to DDT can lead to early puberty; once they are adults, this exposure can also prolong the menstrual cycle and accelerate menopause. Lead, another reproductive poison can shorten the reproductive life of women. Even at low levels, lead can change the reproductive hormones of healthy prepubescent girls and premenopausal women.

A recent study linked prenatal exposure to EDC used in hydraulic fracturing (hydraulic fracturing) with adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes in female mice.

The development and function of the female reproductive system depend on coordinated biological processes. If it is changed by endogenous or exogenous factors during the critical period of development or at different stages of life, it may have a significant adverse effect on reproductive health and function and the outcome of women.

The question is whether EDC can lead to the development of female reproductive disorders, especially those diseases that occur during critical periods of susceptibility: in utero, neonatal, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

More and more wild animal research and laboratory research data from rodents, ungulates, and non-human primates support the role of EDC in the pathogenesis of various female reproductive system diseases, including polycystic ovary synthesis Signs, aneuploidy, POF, genital tract abnormalities, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and ectopic pregnancy.

Male Reproductive Health And EDCs

The male reproductive system is susceptible to environmental toxins. The general population continues to be exposed to EDC through ingestion of contaminated food, inhalation of contaminated air and dust, and skin contact, while certain areas face higher risks due to geographic and cultural reasons.

Due to the temporary decline in semen quality and testosterone levels and the increase in the incidence of testicular cancer in the adult male population. Scientific researchers and the public are increasingly concerned about the potential risks of EDCs to male reproductive health.

Animal cell models and toxicological studies have shown that EDCs can adversely affect the male reproductive system. In humans, there are more and more epidemiological studies on EDC and harmful reproductive functions.

However, in the past two decades, the possible decline of human male reproductive health and the contact with endocrine active chemicals in the environment has been the subject of controversy.

At present, science, the public, and the government are all interested in the potential health risks of exposure to EDC. Human evidence regarding the association of EDC with impaired male reproductive health endpoints is still limited and, in some cases, is inconsistent across studies. More epidemiological studies on various EDCs are needed.

EDCs And It’s Impact On Hormones

Hormones are necessary for reproduction. They include the female sex hormone estrogen, male androgen (testosterone), and hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus of both sexes.

EDC blocks the connection between these hormones and their receptors, or mimics the activity of hormones and induces hormone receptors to work. Either way, EDCs will interfere with the normal operation of the hormonal system.

Here’s an instance, estrogen EDC (a chemical substance used to bind and activate estrogen receptors) is the most studied endocrine disruptor. Girls exposed to DES (a drug similar to natural estrogen) in the womb often develop reproductive abnormalities and increase the risk of rare cancers. This is why the US Food and Drug Administration urged doctors to stop prescribing DES in 1971, but only used it after 10 million women mistakenly believed it could prevent miscarriage. DES was completely banned in 2000. Other research shows how EDCs interfere with testosterone, progesterone, and other hormones.

How Can You Avoid EDCs?

It’s time to act now and prevent your exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and let’s make this world a safer place for all.

1. Look for alternatives: Some merchants, such as Purely Family sell only EDC-free household products that are 100% pure and non-toxic. Others like Trader Joe's grocery store, list certain EDCs (such as BPA) with a "yes" or "no" status for their products. If this information is still not available in the place you bought it, we suggest you ask for it.
2. Notice the labels: On plastic bottles, a #1, #2, or #4 in the recycling sign means that the product is free of BPA, a still commonly-used EDC. PVC labels for shower curtains, raincoats, floors, and outdoor furniture will be similar, and similar labels will be affixed to canned foods with non-BPA coatings. The labels on cleaning products, facial cleansers, and detergents also indicate the presence or absence of certain EDCs that are known to be potentially hazardous, such as phthalates.
3. Eat fresh: Minimize the consumption of processed foods and use filtered water instead of bottled water.
4. Avoid leaching: Precaution needs to be taken and storing canned or plastic-packaged food in hot places, such as the trunk of a car in summer should be avoided. In addition, avoid heating food in microwave ovens or plastic containers. EDC can leak out of the container and enter food and the body.
5. Do minimal or no pesticide usage: Try strategies such as plugging the hole under the sink to reduce pests and avoid the use of pesticides. For agricultural products, wash fresh fruits and vegetables with tap water to remove most of the chemicals.