Substances that damage the endocrine system and polycystic ovaries - is there a causal relationship?

Today, there is an increasing number of compounds labeled as "endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)" in the world.
Among them, the most common are:
- bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and phenol - in toys for children and plastics,
- parabens - personal hygiene products,
- triclosans - anti-bacterial soaps, some toothpastes,
- pesticides - DDT, glyphosate,
- polychlorinated biphenyls - solvents in industry, cooling materials in transformers.

All of these substances are metabolized inside the body and create estrogen-like substances. Estrogen-like substances further disrupt the entire endocrine axis in the body of both men and women of all ages.

By disrupting the endocrine axis, these substances lead to a number of disorders in the human body such as:
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOs) and consequent fertility problem,
- impaired blood sugar metabolism and the appearance of insulin resistance,
- obesity,
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels,
- increased risk of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women,
- thyroid disease, etc.

Studies conducted on an animal model (Baret and Sobolewski, 2014) indicated that BPA exposure during fetal development led to significant ovarian dysfunction with consequent reproductive problems in females.

Akgul and his associates in December 2019. published the results of a study aimed to analyze the value of BPA and phthalates in adolescents with PCOs. The study enrolled a group of 62 girls with PCOs and 33 girls who did not have PCOs; the age of the respondents ranged from 12 to 18 years. Urinary elimination of BPA and phthalate metabolites was measured. The researchers found that girls with PCOs had significantly higher urinary BPA than girls without this syndrome (15.89 μg / g creatinine ± 1.16 versus 7.30 μg / g creatinine ± 1.38; p = 0.016).

Scientist Moneret from the Curie Institute, Paris, published his observations regarding these compounds in September 2017. He believes that EDCs are substances that are the product of human activity and which, after being introduced into the body, are inserted into the metabolism and disrupt the activity of hormones produced by the endocrine glands of the body. As a consequence of this, there are developmental disorders, reproductive disorders, neurological outbursts, autoimmune diseases, developmental disorders in children, etc.

In August 2017, researcher Nasan and his colleagues published the results of the "EARTH study", which was conducted in Boston, USA. The study lasted from 2004 to 2015 and included 400 men who used 14 different kinds of cosmetics. The researchers determined the concentration of 9 phthalate metabolites in their urine, as well as paraben metabolites - methylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. Phthalates and parabens are preservatives that are added to intimate hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, and even food. Some experimental works point to the fact that they work by imitating estrogens in the body. This brings them in connection with the disorder of the number of spermatozoides in men, endometriosis in women and the appearance of insulin resistance. This study found that the largest jump in monoethyl phthalate occurs due to the use of colognes / perfumes and deodorants. In contrast, the largest increase of parabens and its metabolites has been associated with the use of skin tanning lotions and creams to prevent the effects of sunlight UVC rays. The highest concentration of these metabolites was reached in the urine about six hours after the moment of taking any of the cosmetics.

Researcher Berger and a team of associates from the University of California - Berkeley, USA, published the results of a study called HERMOSIS in January 2018. The study included 100 female volunteers. The researchers analyzed the relationship between the frequency of use of cosmetics (results were obtained by completing a specially designed questionnaire by study participants) and the concentration of metabolites of phthalates, parabens, triclosane and benzophenone-3 in the urine of the subjects. Respondents who answered in the questionnaire that they use make-up "every day", compared to those who use it "rarely" or "never", had a significantly higher concentration of monoethyl phthalate metabolites, methyl parabens and propyl parabens in their urine. Of particular interest was the fact that girls who used blushes and mascaras had a significantly higher concentration of monoethyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate, methyl paraben and propyl paraben. The authors of this study state that the use of personal hygiene products has been linked to increased exposure to phthalates, parabens, and other phenols. This is of special health importance for girls in development, since these chemical compounds interfere with the endocrine system function and can lead to numerous health effects, including sterility.

Also, very interesting study results regarding these substances were presented by researcher Meserlian and his team from Harvard Medical School in the USA. In November 2017, this team published the results of a study that analyzed possible relationship between medical procedures and the absorption of phthalates and phenols in the body of the subjects. The researchers focused on pregnant women undergoing routine ultrasound examinations and on ultrasound gel, as a possible source of phthalates and phenols. They proved that the concentration of phthalate in the urine increased from 3.1 ng / mL before the ultrasound examination, to 7.1 ng / mL after 7-12 hours after the ultrasound examination. In addition, the concentration of propylparaben jumped in the urine of these subjects. According to the authors of this study, these changes in the values of phthalates and phenols in the urine of pregnant women can occur for some other reason, and not only due to the application of ultrasound gel. In conclusion, the authors state that new studies with a larger number of subjects are needed, in order to better examine new possible sources of phthalates and parabens among pregnant women undergoing routine ultrasound examinations.

Based on all these researches, the following can be concluded:
- endocrine disrupting chemicals are a large group of chemical compounds that, after ingestion, are broken down and form estrogen-like substances; in this way they disrupt the normal values of female sex hormones in the body of both women and men with various health issues;
- that is why there is an increasing number of researches that intensively study the influence of these substances on the development of PCOs, but also other health problems.

Additionally, it can be concluded that, we all need to be detoxified from pollution we took by breating, water, food, pesticides, smoking etc.

Also, there are several tips how to reduce further intake of these toxins in your body:
- replace plastic bottles and food boxes with glass or ceramic ones,
- avoid drinking hot teas / water from plastic cups,
- food should not heated in plastic bowls by microwave ovens,
- replace toys with toys made of BPA-free plastic (or, best of all, wooden toys),
- use phthalate-free shampoos...