How Environmental Toxins Affect Hormone Health
The world we live in is becoming increasingly toxic. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat can all contain harmful chemicals.
When the body is exposed to toxins, its first priority is to remove them from the bloodstream. To do this, the body often stores toxins in places where they cause less immediate harm—such as fat and bones. This is why standard blood tests usually only show recent or high exposures and often miss long-term toxin build-up.
There are functional tests available that can assess toxins stored in the body, including heavy metals, chemicals, and mould toxins.
Signs Your Body May Be Storing Toxins
Toxin build-up can show up as:
- Hormone imbalance
- Brain fog
- Poor sleep or insomnia
- Memory problems
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Anxiety
Notice how similar these symptoms are to those of perimenopause and menopause?
Why Toxins Matter During Perimenopause
If toxins are contributing to hormone imbalance, simply “balancing hormones” may not give lasting results. The underlying cause—toxic load—also needs to be addressed.
This stage of life is especially important to consider toxins because:
- Bone turnover increases, releasing toxins that were stored in bone earlier in life
- Bone loss accelerates from around 1% per year to 2–3% per year during the menopausal transition
- Liver function declines from perimenopause, reducing the body’s ability to detoxify
This creates a perfect storm: more toxins coming in, more being released from storage, and a reduced ability to clear them.
How Toxins Disrupt Hormones
Environmental toxins—often called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—can:
- Block hormone receptors, stopping hormones from working properly
- Act like oestrogen (xenoestrogens), confusing the body’s hormone signals
- Reduce hormone production by disrupting communication between the brain and hormone-producing glands
- Interfere with enzymes needed to make hormones
- Increase inflammation and cellular damage
Even very small amounts can have an effect over time.
Common Sources of Hormone-Disrupting Toxins
- BPA – found in plastics and receipt paper
- Phthalates – found in fragrances, cosmetics, and plastics
- Pesticides – residues in non-organic foods (e.g. glyphosate)
Key Takeaway
During perimenopause and menopause, toxin exposure can significantly affect hormone health. Supporting detoxification and reducing toxin load can be just as important as supporting hormones themselves.
For a more in-depth insight into reducing toxin exposure sign up to my CLEANSE & REBOOT programme.
