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When I first started going low-tox I was doing it for my MTHFR mutation. I was learning that my body could not detoxify efficiently and that reducing what I was asking it to process made a real and measurable difference in how I felt. The endometriosis piece felt separate, a different problem with different causes that I had mostly accepted as something I would just have to manage.
Then I started reading the research. And the two stopped feeling separate at all.
This post is about what the science actually says about the relationship between environmental chemicals and endometriosis, not anecdote, not wellness marketing, peer-reviewed research, and what that means practically for anyone living with this disease.
What Endometriosis Is and Why Estrogen Matters
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder, and in some cases on more distant organs and structures. It affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women globally, though that figure is likely an undercount given how frequently it is missed or dismissed in clinical settings.
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. The endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus responds to the same hormonal signals as the tissue inside it, it grows under estrogen stimulation, bleeds during menstrual cycles, and is driven by the hormonal environment of the body. This is why estrogen suppression through hormonal treatments is a common management strategy, and why anything that elevates estrogen exposure or impairs estrogen clearance is directly relevant to the disease.
This is also where environmental chemicals enter the picture.
What Endocrine Disruptors Are
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, also called EDCs, are substances in the environment, food, personal care products, and manufactured goods that interfere with the normal function of your body’s hormonal system. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization identified 800 chemicals as potential endocrine disruptors.
EDCs work through several mechanisms. Some mimic estrogen, binding to estrogen receptors in the body and triggering estrogenic responses even though they are not the body’s own estrogen. These are called xenoestrogens, literally “foreign estrogens.” Others block hormone receptors, preventing the body’s natural hormones from binding. Others interfere with hormone production, transport, or metabolism.
For someone with an estrogen-dependent disease like endometriosis, daily exposure to chemicals that mimic estrogen or impair estrogen clearance is not a theoretical concern. It is a direct biological problem.
What the Research Says
A 2025 peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences conducted a thorough review of experimental, epidemiologic, and mechanistic research on the association between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and endometriosis. The findings are worth knowing about.
Among the primary endocrine-disrupting compounds under investigation are polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, phthalates, and bisphenol A. Despite methodological variation across studies, epidemiologic evidence supports a positive association between elevated levels of BPA, phthalates, and dioxins in urine or blood and endometriosis.
A separate systematic review found that most of the studies reviewed showed an association between exposure to BPA and phthalates and endometriosis. In the case of phthalate exposure, the reviewed studies found an association between the concentration of at least one phthalate metabolite and endometriosis. A significant relationship between paraben exposure and endometriosis was also found.
A 2025 committee opinion published by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics synthesized high-quality evidence linking environmental exposures to common gynecologic conditions, noting that women are exposed across their lifespan to a wide range of environmental toxicants including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, air pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial compounds, which influence hormonal function, ovarian reserve, and disease risk, with underlying mechanisms including endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modification.
The three chemicals that appear most consistently across the research:
BPA and BPA analogs — found in plastics, food can linings, receipts, and many food containers. Acts as a xenoestrogen, binding directly to estrogen receptors. BPS and BPF, the replacements used in “BPA-free” products, have shown similar estrogenic activity in research.
Phthalates — plasticizers used to make plastic flexible, found in plastic food packaging, plastic wrap, personal care products, synthetic fragrance, and vinyl flooring. Associated with endometriosis in multiple independent studies.
Dioxins and PCBs — industrial pollutants that accumulate in fatty tissue and persist in the body for years. Found primarily in animal products from conventionally raised animals and in some fish. Highly estrogenic.
The MTHFR Connection
For people with MTHFR, this matters even more than it does for the general population.
Methylation is one of the primary pathways through which your body processes and eliminates excess estrogen. When methylation is impaired, estrogen clearance slows and estrogen accumulates. This creates an internal hormonal environment that is more estrogenic than it should be, before any external chemical exposure is even factored in.
Add daily exposure to xenoestrogens from plastics, personal care products, and conventional food packaging to a body that is already impaired in its ability to clear estrogen, and the cumulative picture becomes clear. Reducing toxic load is not a wellness trend for people with MTHFR and endometriosis. It is addressing a direct biological mechanism.
Where These Chemicals Actually Come From in Daily Life
This is the practical part, because knowing that BPA and phthalates are associated with endometriosis is only useful if you know where they actually show up.
Plastic food containers and wrap — BPA and phthalates leach from plastic into food, particularly when food is fatty, acidic, or warm. Heating food in plastic accelerates leaching significantly. The “microwave safe” label means the plastic will not melt, not that it will not leach.
Conventional personal care products — phthalates are commonly found in synthetic fragrance, which appears in shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, and nearly every scented personal care product. Parabens, another class of chemicals associated with endometriosis in research, are widely used as preservatives in conventional cosmetics and personal care.
Conventional cleaning products — synthetic fragrance in cleaning products carries the same phthalate concern as personal care products, with the added factor that cleaning products are sprayed into the air and onto surfaces you touch.
Non-stick cookware — PFAS from conventional non-stick coatings are persistent endocrine disruptors that accumulate in the body and are associated with hormonal disruption and reproductive health concerns.
Conventional menstrual products — this one is particularly relevant for endometriosis specifically. Conventional tampons and pads are made from conventionally grown cotton treated with pesticides, may be bleached with chlorine producing dioxin byproducts, and often contain synthetic fragrance. Given that the vaginal and cervical tissues are among the most absorptive in the body, what comes into contact with them during menstruation matters directly and significantly.
Receipts and thermal paper — BPA and its analogs coat thermal paper receipts and transfer readily to skin through touch. A small exposure but a daily one for many people.
Conventionally raised animal products — dioxins and PCBs accumulate in animal fat. Choosing organic, grass-fed animal products where possible reduces this exposure.
The Period Product Problem Nobody Talks About
This deserves its own section because it is one of the most direct and most overlooked exposures for anyone with endometriosis.
Your menstrual products are in contact with some of the most absorptive tissue in your body for multiple hours at a time, multiple days per month, for decades. The vaginal mucosa has significantly higher absorption rates than skin. Whatever is in those products has a more direct pathway into your body than almost any other consumer product you use.
Conventional tampons are made from a blend of conventionally grown cotton and rayon, often bleached with processes that produce trace dioxin byproducts, the same class of chemicals associated with endometriosis in research. They may contain pesticide residue from non-organic cotton. They often contain synthetic fragrance added for odor control.
Cleaner alternatives:
Menstrual disc: Hello Disc — I have used the Hello Disc for over a year now and it is the single most impactful period product swap I have made. One change in the morning and one at night. No synthetic materials against your tissue, no chemicals, no applicator. I went from hemorrhaging through a super tampon and period underwear within hours to having exactly one significant bleed event in the entire time I have used it.
Organic tampons: Natracare Organic Cotton Tampons and Tampon Tribe Organic — 100% organic cotton, no synthetic fibers, no chlorine bleaching, no synthetic fragrance. If you prefer tampons, these are the standard to look for.
Organic pads: Natracare Organic Cotton Pads — 100% organic cotton, chlorine-free, and fragrance-free, the same clean standards as their tampons. If you prefer reusable, GladRags Reusable Cloth Pads are made from organic cotton, last for years, and keep synthetic materials away from your most absorptive tissue entirely.
Period underwear: Bambody Period Underwear — PFAS-free, which matters more than most people realize. Some period underwear brands have faced scrutiny for using PFAS as a waterproofing treatment, so Bambody’s explicit PFAS-free construction makes them a trustworthy choice, especially for anyone with endometriosis who is already working to reduce xenoestrogen exposure.
Reducing Toxic Load — Where to Start for Endometriosis Specifically
Given what the research says, these are the highest-leverage swaps for someone with endometriosis:
1. Switch your period products first. The tissue exposure during menstruation is the most direct. Organic cotton tampons, a menstrual disc, or organic pads are the most immediately relevant change you can make.
2. Replace plastic food storage with glass and non-toxic alternatives. This directly addresses BPA and phthalate exposure from food. Every time you store leftovers in plastic, wrap food in plastic wrap, or use plastic bags, chemicals migrate into your food, especially with fatty foods, acidic foods, or anything stored warm. Swapping to glass and non-toxic alternatives removes one of the most consistent daily xenoestrogen exposures in your kitchen.
Stasher Premium Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags — platinum silicone, completely plastic-free, dishwasher and freezer safe
Ello Duraglass Refresh Meal Prep Containers — borosilicate glass containers perfect for meal prepping and everyday leftovers
Ziruma Non-Toxic Glass Food Containers with Lids — airtight, oven safe, and completely free of plastic contact with your food
Ball Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars — the most affordable and versatile glass storage option for pantry items, leftovers, and meal prep
Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Food Wraps — a natural reusable alternative to plastic wrap made from organic cotton, beeswax, and tree resin
3. Switch your cookware. Non-stick cookware containing PFAS is both a xenoestrogen source and a direct hormonal disruptor, and it is one of the most direct daily exposures since you are literally cooking your food in it. Every scratched non-stick pan is actively shedding particles into your meals.
- GreenPan Lima Ceramic Nonstick — PTFE-free, PFAS-free ceramic nonstick for eggs and delicate foods. The safe nonstick option that actually works.
- Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel — no coatings of any kind, triple-ply construction, lasts decades. The everyday workhorse.
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet — zero coatings, naturally nonstick when seasoned, lasts generations. The gold standard.
- Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven — glass-based enamel coating, non-reactive, no seasoning required. Worth the investment for soups, stews, and braising.
- AIUHI Natural Teak Wood Utensil Set — because metal utensils scratch ceramic surfaces and start the degradation process. Safe utensils matter as much as safe pans.
Find all cookware recommendations on my Non-Toxic Kitchen and Cookware page.
4. Switch your personal care products. Phthalate-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free personal care reduces a daily ongoing exposure that is going directly onto and into your skin. Conventional shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, and makeup all contain synthetic fragrance which is one of the most concentrated sources of phthalates in daily life, and you are applying these products to your skin every single day.
- Shampoo and conditioner — look for fragrance-free, paraben-free formulas from brands like ATTITUDE
- Body wash — fragrance-free and SLS-free. ATTITUDE Body Wash is EWG Verified and gentle enough for sensitive skin
- Deodorant — aluminum-free and fragrance-free. Humble Aluminum-Free Deodorant and ATTITUDE Baking Soda Free Deodorant are both solid options
- Dental care — fluoride-free toothpaste, PFAS-free floss. Davids Fluoride Free Toothpaste and Cocofloss are what I recommend
- Makeup — if you wear it, look for brands with clean transparent ingredient standards. Well People is the brand I feature most on my clean beauty page, EWG Verified, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from the synthetic fragrance, parabens, and endocrine-disrupting ingredients that conventional makeup routinely contains. For a certified organic option, Ogee carries NSF Organic Certified makeup and skincare.
Everything I personally use and recommend is on my Personal Care page and my Clean Beauty page.
5. Switch your cleaning products. Synthetic fragrance in cleaning products is a phthalate source you are spraying directly into your air and onto every surface in your home. Whatever lands on your floors, counters, and bathroom surfaces gets absorbed through your skin on contact. For anyone with endometriosis already managing xenoestrogen exposure this is one of the most impactful swaps you can make.
- Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit — one plant-based concentrate replaces every cleaner under your sink. No synthetic fragrance, no phthalates, no harsh surfactants. This is what replaced every conventional cleaner in my home.
- Bon Ami Powder Cleanser — five ingredients, EWG Grade A, for scrubbing without harsh chemical abrasives
- Blueland Dishwasher Tablets — no PVA plastic film, no synthetic fragrance, no chlorine bleach
- Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder — four ingredients, EWG Grade A, because what you wash your clothes in sits against your skin all day
Find all my cleaning product recommendations on my Low-Tox Cleaning Products page.
What Helped My Endometriosis Symptoms Specifically
I want to be clear that I am not a doctor and nothing here is medical advice. But I also want to be honest about my own experience because that is the whole reason this blog exists.
I have had endometriosis since before I knew what it was. The pain progression over the years, the hemorrhaging, the impact on my quality of life and eventually my fertility, I wrote about all of it in my full endometriosis post for anyone who wants that whole story.
What changed my symptoms was a combination of things working together. Reducing my toxic load removed a source of ongoing estrogenic exposure my body was already struggling to clear because of MTHFR. Switching to the Hello Disc eliminated hours of direct chemical contact during my period. And magnesium glycinate, which I started for MTHFR and not for endometriosis, accidentally eliminated my menstrual pain entirely.
I have now been on magnesium glycinate for just over a year. My cramps are still gone. Not reduced. Gone. Every single month for over a year. I take Optimal Magnesium by Seeking Health — 150mg in the morning and 150mg at night. You can find it and others on my Supplements and Wellness page.
The mechanism makes sense: magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant that regulates prostaglandin synthesis, the compounds that trigger uterine contractions during menstruation. When magnesium levels are adequate, those contractions are regulated. For endometriosis specifically, the anti-inflammatory properties of magnesium also matter, since inflammation is a central driver of endo pain.
None of this means endometriosis is caused by magnesium deficiency or toxic overload alone. It is a complex disease with genetic, immunological, and environmental components. But the environmental component is real, it is researched, and it is actionable in ways that excision surgery or hormonal suppression are not.
The Bottom Line
The research connecting endocrine-disrupting chemicals to endometriosis is not fringe. It is peer-reviewed, published in major journals, and accumulating rapidly. The 2025 study specifically named BPA, phthalates, dioxins, and PCBs as having epidemiologic evidence supporting a positive association with the disease.
You cannot change your genetics. You cannot undo years of exposure. But you can change what comes into your home, onto your body, and into your food starting today.
Every swap you make reduces the burden on a body that is already working hard. For a disease that is driven by the hormonal environment you live in every day, that matters. 🌿
— Ashley
Find all my low-tox recommendations for endometriosis and women’s health at lowtoxliving.carrd.co
Please note: I am not a doctor or medical professional. Everything I share is based on my personal experience and research. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your endometriosis treatment and management.
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