Endocrine Disruptors and Fertility: What You Need to Know

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system, and growing evidence suggests they may have a serious impact on fertility for both women and men. Found in everyday products from plastics to cosmetics, these chemicals mimic or block natural hormones, altering the delicate balance required for reproduction.

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are substances that can interfere with the endocrine (hormone) system, which regulates everything from growth and metabolism to reproduction.

By imitating natural hormones such as oestrogen or testosterone, or by blocking them, EDCs can disrupt the signals that control fertility and pregnancy.

Common endocrine disruptors include:

• Bisphenol A (BPA): found in plastics and food packaging

• Phthalates: used in personal care products, vinyl, and fragrances

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): in non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics

• Pesticides and herbicides: like DDT and atrazine

• Flame retardants: used in furniture and textiles

  
  

How They Affect Fertility

Women

• Menstrual cycle disruption: EDCs can alter hormone levels, leading to irregular cycles.

• Ovarian function: Studies link BPA exposure to reduced ovarian reserve and poorer egg quality.

• Pregnancy outcomes: Phthalates and pesticides have been associated with higher risks of miscarriage and complications.

  
  

Men

• Sperm quality: Research shows links between EDC exposure and reduced sperm count, motility, and morphology.

• Hormone imbalance: Chemicals like phthalates may lower testosterone, directly affecting fertility.

  
  

Developing Children

EDC exposure during pregnancy can also affect foetal development, potentially leading to altered puberty timing, reproductive disorders, and even long-term fertility challenges.

The Evidence So Far

• The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has flagged EDCs as a significant risk factor for declining fertility rates across Europe.

• A 2022 Harvard study found higher urinary BPA and phthalate levels were associated with lower success rates in IVF treatments.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has called endocrine disruption a “global threat,” citing strong evidence of links to infertility, cancers, and developmental disorders.

  
  

What Can Be Done?

• Regulation: The EU has moved to restrict BPA, PFAS, and certain phthalates in consumer products, while campaigns push for stricter limits worldwide.

• Consumer choices: Using glass or stainless steel over plastic, avoiding heating food in plastic containers, choosing fragrance-free products, and filtering drinking water can all reduce exposure.

• Further research: Scientists stress the need for long-term studies to fully understand cumulative effects and thresholds of harm.

  
  

Moving Forward

While it’s impossible to avoid endocrine disruptors entirely, awareness and regulation are key to protecting reproductive health. With global fertility rates already declining, experts argue that reducing exposure to these chemicals should be considered a public health priority.

As Dr. Shanna Swan, an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist, wrote in her book Count Down: “If we want to safeguard fertility for future generations, tackling endocrine disruptors must be at the top of the agenda.”