Environmental estrogen
Environmental estrogen refers to a class of compounds, also known as xenoestrogens, that are structurally similar to the natural estrogen hormones produced in the body and can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system. These compounds can be either synthetic or naturally occurring and are found in a variety of sources including industrial compounds, pharmaceuticals, and natural foods.
Sources of Environmental Estrogen[edit | edit source]
Environmental estrogens can be found in a variety of sources. Some of the most common sources include:
- Pesticides: Many pesticides contain compounds that can act as environmental estrogens. These can enter the body through the food chain or through direct exposure.
- Plastics: Certain plastics, particularly those containing Bisphenol A (BPA), can leach environmental estrogens into food and drink.
- Pharmaceuticals: Some pharmaceuticals, particularly those used in hormone replacement therapy and birth control, contain environmental estrogens.
- Industrial Compounds: Many industrial compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, can act as environmental estrogens.
Effects of Environmental Estrogen[edit | edit source]
Environmental estrogens can have a variety of effects on both humans and wildlife. These effects can include:
- Endocrine Disruption: Environmental estrogens can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, leading to a variety of health problems.
- Reproductive Issues: Exposure to environmental estrogens can lead to reproductive issues in both males and females, including decreased fertility and abnormal development of reproductive organs.
- Cancer: Some studies have suggested a link between exposure to environmental estrogens and an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer.
Regulation and Mitigation[edit | edit source]
Efforts to regulate and mitigate the effects of environmental estrogens are ongoing. These efforts include:
- Regulation: Many countries have regulations in place to limit the use of certain compounds known to act as environmental estrogens.
- Research: Ongoing research is being conducted to better understand the effects of environmental estrogens and to develop safer alternatives.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This environment-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
