From an article published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology (please see citation below).

Key Points

• Exposure to chemicals that disrupt the hormone system (endocrine-disrupting chemicals; EDCs) contribute to the growing prevalence of female reproductive disorders globally.
• Exposure to EDCs is linked with reproductive disorders such as early puberty, early menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Studies clearly show that exposure to EDCs during early life as well as in adulthood can negatively affect the supply of eggs in ovaries, as well as our body's ability to control of puberty and ovulation.
• Future studies are needed to better understand the effect of in utero exposure to EDCs on female reproductive health later in life and in future generations.

Have you noticed friends or family members talking about how they, or someone they know is having a hard time getting pregnant? It's not just a coincidence. Exposure to some kinds of chemicals used in household products as well as pollution in our environment are linked to health impacts that can make it harder for women to concieve. Chemicals that mess with our body's ability to manage our hormones (also known as our endocrine system) are one of the culprits. These include groups of chemicals used in plastics and scented products like phthalates.

In our homes, we try and limit our exposures to these kinds of chemicals by choosing products that have trustworthy ingredient safety certifications like EWG VERIFIED and Made Safe, avoiding products made of plastic in the kitchen, and choosing fragrance-free or unscented products. Ingredient safety is a big part of our company ratings, so looking for products made by companies that are rated as "Recommended" is also a good option.

Parent, AS., Damdimopoulou, P., Johansson, H.K.L. et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and female reproductive health: a growing concern. Nat Rev Endocrinol21, 593–607 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-025-01131-x