How Xenoestrogens Affects Women

How Xenoestrogens Affects Women

Menopause may not affect women the same way, but it still results in a decline in estrogen levels. That’s why some women try hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to increase estrogen levels.

But here’s some bad news: not all kinds of estrogen are good for you. 

In this post, you’ll learn about xenoestrogens and how they can affect your body.

What are Xenoestrogens?

Xenoestrogens are an endocrine disruptor that mimics the effects of estrogen in your body.

Estrogen is a female sex hormone that helps your body maintain bone density, avoids blood clots, and reduces the severity of menopausal symptoms.

But isn’t it supposed to be good to make up for the drop in estrogen levels during menopause?

Yes, except when the replacement is not biodegradable. 

Instead of regulating your body, xenoestrogen builds up in your fat cells, resulting in estrogen dominance.

Exposure to xenoestrogens leads to effects similar to menopausal symptoms: fatigue, headaches, weight gain, decreased sex drive, and breast tenderness.

Xenoestrogens List: The Most Common Culprits

Insecticides

• Nonylphenol
• Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene 
• Chlorine
• Alkylphenol
• Heptachlor 

Skincare Products

• 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC)
• Benzophenone
• Parabens

Food

• Phenosulfothiazine
• Erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
• Butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA 

Plastics

• Bisphenol-A (BPA)

How to Detox Your Body from Xenoestrogens

Given how common xenoestrogen is in everyday items, chances are you’ve been exposing yourself to it.

That’s why even if you’re actively avoiding them, you should still detox. You can get xenoestrogens out of your body through diet and exercise. 

Here’s how it works:

Exercise Regularly

The excess estrogen is stored in your fat cells. By leading a sedentary lifestyle, you’re not allowing your body to get rid of xenoestrogens.

When you exercise, make sure to do low-impact workouts. This avoids putting too much pressure on your joints. Start with light cardio, then adjust your workout intensity while listening to your body.

Eat a Fiber-rich, Plant-based Diet

Fiber is excellent for managing levels of estrogen in your body. It allows you to get rid of toxic chemicals and other harmful bodily waste through your bowels.

Without a regular and healthy bowel movement, estrogenic chemicals would be reabsorbed into your bloodstream.

If you’re eating a lot of canned foods, switch to organic foods. These will also keep you from taking xenoestrogen in your body.

Although scientists already identified many potential sources of xenoestrogen, one study admitted that they still don’t know every existing source. 

How to Avoid Xenoestrogens

Still, there are ways that you can avoid exogenous estrogen by making these few changes:

Go for Organic Personal Care Products

With the number of ingredients every product has, it’s hard to keep track if it contains xenoestrogen or not.

Make the job easier by replacing your personal care products with organic ones. You can do it gradually if you’re worried about its cost.

Use Chemical-free and Chlorine-free Household Products

This goes for toilet paper, pesticides, detergents, and anything else that could potentially contain xenoestrogens.

Be Wary of Plastic

This is especially true if you’re using a plastic container for drinking. Don’t freeze water or any liquid inside a water bottle.

And if the bottle’s meant to be disposable, don’t refill it.

Xenoestrogens have become a part of our lives, so we have to control various aspects of our lifestyle to minimize our exposure.

If you’re already having severe menopausal symptoms, symptoms of estrogen dominance can make the experience even worse.

But remember, you don’t have to go at it alone!