10 Hormone Disruptors to Ditch for Better Balance
Living in Rhythm: How Your Body Works in Every Phase
Your body isn’t random—it’s rhythmic.
Each phase of your cycle brings real shifts in hormones, mood, energy, and cravings.This series breaks it down simply—so you can understand what’s happening and support your body with food, lifestyle, and flow.
Because when you know your rhythm, you thrive with it.
Your hormones are the unsung heroes of your well-being—
regulating everything from mood and energy to skin health, PMS symptoms, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and even long-term vitality. Yet, daily exposure to certain chemicals can throw this delicate balance off-kilter.
Let's explore eight common hormone disruptors and how to steer clear of them.
⚠️ The Worst Offenders (Start Here)
If you're just getting started, prioritize these first. They're the most common, most toxic, and most likely to disrupt your hormones:
PFAS – Found in nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics, and some cosmetics. Persistent in your body and environment.
Phthalates – Lurking in fragrance-heavy products, especially perfume and lotions. Strong estrogen mimics.
Bisphenols (BPA + cousins) – Found in plastic containers and receipts. Disrupt estrogen, thyroid, and more.
Pesticides + Atrazine – Present in conventional produce and grains. Linked to fertility and hormone issues.
Synthetic Fragrance + Parabens – Found in nearly all mainstream beauty products. Hormone mimics with long-term risks.
1. Phthalates
Found in: Fragranced products like perfumes, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and hair sprays.
Why they’re harmful: Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormone production and reproductive health. (NIH Source)
Avoid by: Choosing products labeled "phthalate-free" and opting for unscented or naturally scented items.
2. Parabens
Found in: Preservatives in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and creams.
Why they’re harmful: Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances. (PubMed Study)
Avoid by: Looking for products labeled "paraben-free" and checking ingredient lists for methylparaben, propylparaben, etc.
3. Bisphenols (BPA + Sneaky Cousins like BPS, BPF, BPAF)
Found in: Plastic food containers, water bottles, canned food linings, receipts (thermal paper), and even some dental sealants.
Why they’re harmful: You’ve probably heard of BPA—a known endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen in the body. But here’s the plot twist: Many “BPA-free” products are now made with BPS, BPF, BPAF, or BPB—which research shows can be just as hormonally disruptive, if not worse. (Environmental Health Perspectives)
These bisphenol analogs can:
Disrupt estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone function
Interfere with reproductive development
Accumulate in body fat and tissues
Avoid by:
Skipping plastic food storage when possible—use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic
Never heating food in plastic (even “BPA-free”)
Saying no to receipts when you can (especially with food or skincare hands)
Choosing brands that are “bisphenol-free,” not just BPA-free
⚠️ Heads up: “BPA-free” is not the green light you think it is. Look for truly non-toxic materials—not just better-marketed ones.
4. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Found in: Non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and some cosmetics.
Why they’re harmful: PFAS can interfere with hormone function and are persistent in the environment. (CDC Report)
Avoid by: Choosing PFAS-free products and avoiding non-stick cookware (like Tefal)
Swap: Instead of traditional non-stick pans, try brands like Our Place (ceramic-coated, non-toxic), Caraway, or GreenPan.
5. Triclosan
Found in: Antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, and deodorants.
Why they’re harmful: Triclosan can disrupt thyroid hormone metabolism. (FDA Information)
Avoid by: Using plain soap and water for handwashing and selecting triclosan-free personal care products.
6. Synthetic Fragrances
Found in: Perfumes, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, air fresheners, and scented candles.
Why they’re harmful: "Fragrance" can be a catch-all term for numerous chemicals, including phthalates, many of which are endocrine disruptors. (EWG Report)
Avoid by: Choosing products that disclose all fragrance ingredients or are labeled "fragrance-free."
Swap: Try natural cleaning brands like Spruce or Blueland, which offer fragrance-free or essential oil-based scents.
7. Pesticides
Found in: Conventionally grown produce.
Why they’re harmful: Certain pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors. (NIH Pesticides and Hormones)
Avoid by: Buying organic produce when possible and thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables.
8. Fluoride
Found in: Tap water, toothpaste, and certain teas.
Why it’s harmful: Emerging research indicates that excessive fluoride exposure may disrupt thyroid function, leading to hormonal imbalances. Studies have shown that high fluoride levels can increase thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and decrease T3 and T4 hormones. (PubMed Study)
Avoid by: Using fluoride-free toothpaste and considering water filtration systems that remove fluoride.
9. Gum (with Artificial Sweeteners)
Found in: Sugar-free gums and mints containing aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium.
Why it’s harmful: Artificial sweeteners may interfere with insulin response, disrupt gut microbiota, and indirectly affect estrogen metabolism. (PubMed Review)
Avoid by: Choosing natural chewing gums sweetened with xylitol or stevia (e.g., Simply Gum, Glee Gum).
10. Atrazine
Found in: A common pesticide found in non-organic corn, grains, and contaminated drinking water.
Why it’s harmful: Atrazine is a known endocrine disruptor that has been linked to reduced fertility, birth defects, and hormonal changes—especially in reproductive organs. (NIH Source)
Avoid by: Drinking filtered water (especially if in agricultural areas), choosing organic grains and corn, and checking your local water quality reports.
Long-Term Risks of Hormone Disruptors
Over time, chronic exposure to endocrine disruptors doesn’t just mess with your monthly cycle—it can contribute to serious long-term health risks. These include:
Irregular or painful periods
Infertility and difficulty conceiving
Increased risk of PCOS or endometriosis
Higher rates of miscarriage or pregnancy complications
Breast and reproductive cancers
Thyroid disorders
Metabolic dysfunction and weight gain
Mood disorders like anxiety and depression
Your hormones are part of a delicate ecosystem. And when they’re constantly thrown off by hidden toxins? Your whole system pays the price—often years down the line.
🧼 Bonus: Clean Home & Laundry Swaps
It's not just what's in your food or beauty routine—your cleaning products and laundry detergent matter too. These are often hidden sources of hormone-disrupting chemicals that stay on your clothes, your bedding, and your skin.
🚫 What to Watch Out For:
Conventional laundry detergents like Tide and Ariel often contain synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and harsh surfactants.
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets can coat your clothes in quats and phthalates.
Lysol, Clorox, Febreze
✅ Better Choices:
Tru Earth laundry strips – ultra-clean, fragrance-free option
Ecover Zero – plant-based and dermatologist-tested
EcoRoots – plastic-free and gentle
Norfolk Natural Living – plant-based, fragrance-free, and free from hormone disruptors
Spruce - plastic-free, plant-based, fragrance-free, and free from hormone disruptors
Kinfill - plastic-free and gentle
Purdy & Figg, - plant-based, fragrance-free, and free from hormone disruptors
Attitude, Seventh Generation, or Molly’s Suds – also great low-toxin options – ultra-clean, fragrance-free option
Ecover Zero – plant-based and dermatologist-tested
Branch Basics
EcoRoots – plastic-free and gentle
Seventh Generation, or Molly’s Suds – also great low-toxin options
Branch Basics
Blueland, Spruce
✨ Final Thoughts
Yes—it’s a lot. And it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you realize how many everyday things are silently impacting your hormones. But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to be aware.
Start with one small change—your toothpaste, your perfume, your cookware—and build from there. These small shifts can make a massive difference in how you feel, cycle, and show up in your body.
Want to ease PMS, support fertility, or feel more vibrant long-term? This is where it starts.
🎁 Bonus: Download our free Clean Swaps Checklist or share this post with a friend who lives in leggings and chews gum all day. (We love her. She deserves better too.)
Start syncing with your cycle today:
Track where you are in your cycle right now
Adjust your meals, movement, and mindset with each phase
Follow @mymoonaffair for more education and daily tips
Your rhythm is wisdom. Trust it. Live it. Thrive with it.