In my last post you learned how dioxins, phthalates, and BPA are some (of many) parties responsible for the creation of an endo-like cell. Unfortunately, those with endometriosis are shown to have more of these chemicals in our bodies than those without endo, either in our blood, urine, fat stores, and even in the peritoneal cavity (where many of us have active endo lesions). Coincidence? Probably not.

So, since we know these chemicals are partly responsible for the creation of an endo-like cell, and we also see us with endo have more of them in our bodies, it’s time we actively sought to remove them from our lives.

Here are a handful of easy first steps (yes, there are a lot more ways to help, but let’s start simple) in reducing exposure and supporting natural elimination of these commonly used toxins.

Dioxins and Endometriosis

Dioxins cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, interfere with hormones, and may help create and endo-like cell, yet they are still used in many popular herbicides sprayed near crops. Additionally, because dioxins sit in the environment for a long time, they blow around with the wind and land in soils and water—ultimately leading to exposure. Unfortunately, they’re everywhere. And while we’ve mainly been told to avoid eating animal products to lessen dioxin exposure, it turns out that both plant and animal products may be equally contaminated (see  blog post here for more on this). And so are we, as dioxins levels have been found higher in blood and fat stores of those with endometriosis.

Limit exposure to dioxins in food: Simply to cooking your food may reduce dioxins by up to 44%, which is an easy thing to do for meat and fish that have the opportunity to bioaccumulate higher levels. Second, consider supplementing with chlorella, a type of seaweed that comes in pills or capsules. When taken with your meal, chlorella may prevent your body from absorbing up to half of the dioxins found in your food. I recommend 3g per day to start

Support the body in eliminating dioxins: Chlorella can also help your body eliminate dioxin stores it already has. In fact, chlorella can help the body excrete 9x more dioxins than those not eating chlorella, and reduce the amount of dioxins stored in the liver by nearly 1/3! 

Reduce damage associated with dioxins: Dioxin damage may be mitigated by adding in more antioxidants to our diets. For example, certain antioxidants found in heart and liver (CoQ10) or cocoa and blueberries (resveratrol) were shown to prevent dioxin related damage. Again, why diet is a foundational pillar in healing. (1-7)

Phthalates and Endometriosis

A 2021 review pointed out 13 different studies showing that phthalates levels are higher in the blood, urine, and peritoneal fluid of those with endo. That’s a lot of studies, and something to really consider since phthalates are shown to change some of the behaviors of a normal endometrial cell into a cell more like endometriosis, cause cellular damage, immune dysfunction, fertility problems, and more.

Why are we so saturated with phthalates? A big reason is thanks to all these products with “fragrance/parfum” listed as an ingredient. Even (angrily) if the product says it’s “phthalate-free”! This is thanks to a little-known trick of the fragrance industry. To keep ingredients secret (so no one knows that special je ne sais quoi in your favorite perfume), companies don’t have to disclose ingredients. So even though fragrances are rich in phthalates (because phthalates give fragrances staying power), companies don’t have to disclose using them. My rule of thumb is that if it smells like perfume—and lasts—then it’s probably due to a hidden chemical component—even if you bought it at Whole Foods in the organic/all natural section. Sigh.

Unfortunately, each product with fragrance can add a lot of phthalates to your body. In fact, phthalate levels in the body may increase 33% per chemical-laden product used, demonstrating how multiple exposures can add up fast (like, if you use 10 body care products before you even leave the house).

So while avoiding phthalates will take some grit, at least initially (but don’t worry, once you find swaps you won’t have to think about it anymore!), it can make a big impact! That’s because women avoiding scented lotions and perfumes had 167% less phthalates in their urine. This is a great reminder that even if we can’t change all the environmental pollutants we’re in contact with, we can make changes at home that can indeed remove an enormous chemical burden from our body. There’s hope.

Reduce exposure to phthalates: Consider all the products you use that have fragrance: dish soap, hand soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, hair products, body spray, laundry detergent, fabric softener. You may have a long list… don’t worry. Now you can take your time (as budget allows) in replacing those with products that are either fragrance-free OR scented with ingredients that don’t contain endo-provoking toxins (like essential oils or fruit extracts). For a list of alternative from a trusted source who has already done the investigative work for you, check out the Environmental Working Group list of pre-certified products. They make it SUPER easy for us. If you remove phthalates from all your personal and home care, you can make a big dent in how much exposure you have.

Sweat to remove existing phthalates: That’s right, sweating is your detoxification friend! A quick and easy route to escort phthalates out of the body. If you’re a couch potato, don’t argue, it's time you got up and tried to sweat at least once per day through physical activity ;) If you’re in too much pain (or any other serious issues preventing movement) don’t fret, you can take the easier pass! Simply take a hot bath or shower at least once per day, long enough to heat to the point of sweating. Always cool off and rise before leaving the bath so that the eliminated toxins from the sweat don’t reabsorb into your body. (8-11)

BPA and Endometriosis

Since just about 100% of plastics contain BPA (and phthalates), you can imagine we have a lot of exposure to it—plastics are everywhere, after all. And us with endo may have even more exposure than those without, since BPA levels have been found to be higher in the blood and urine of those with endo.

In the kitchen BPA is found in the obvious plastics: canisters, cups, plates, utensils, cling wrap, water/soda bottles, or plastic baggies. But it’s also hidden to line canned foods in your pantry and beverage cans. Even if you’re a self-proclaimed hippie, you’ll find BPA lining your organic almond milk or soy creamer container, and even your can (not glass) of kombucha. 

What about BPA-free plastic? These don’t get a pass because the industry replaced BPA with BPS or BPAF, products similar to BPA that have already been shown in studies to inflict similar harm. Basic rule of thumb: if it’s plastic, it will have unwanted chemicals in it, even if it’s “BPA-free”. Time to go plastic free!

Reduce exposure to BPA: Store as much food as you can in glass containers. Many stores sell sets of glass storage containers alongside their plastic counterparts. If  these are  out of budget for now, consider purchasing simple glass Mason jars with metal lids, or even reusing glass jars from spaghetti sauce and such. 

Instead of drinking out of canned beverages or boxed (these are all lined with BPA, from soda to kombucha to boxed water!), try sparkling water purchased in glass containers and add a fresh squeeze of grapefruit or lime. 

Also because BPA is found lining many pre-packaged foods, you will  naturally minimize your exposure when you begin to cook more fresh, homemade meals from scratch, rather than out of a box or can.

BPA is also concentrated in thermal receipt paper, which is weird, but a serious reason to not touch these receipts with your bare hands (if you work with receipts like this, please wear gloves!!!!!)

Detoxify BPA from the body: Sweating is also a great way to eliminate BPA stores from the body. Follow the rules mentioned previously.

In addition, Vitamin A is absolutely essential for being able to eliminate BPA. This is a problem when 51% of us don’t get enough. The best sources of Vitamin A are liver, egg yolks, 100% grass-fed butter, cod liver oil (Rosita’s brand)and LIVER. One reason of many reasons why I always recommend these foods, and again why diet is foundation to help heal. (12-16)

Start With One Step In The Right Direction

If you’re overwhelmed with where to start, just start…anywhere. Choose one thing and go for it! Stop buying canned beans and soak your own. Or, stop using that laundry scent refresher on all your clothes and sheets. There you go, two exposures gone. Now consider other scented products, or how much soda you drink that could be replaced by water in a glass jar. See? More exposures eliminated.

When you work like this, taking a big lifestyle swap step by step (rather than all at once, which will paralyze the best of us) we can slowly but surely make gains toward healing our endo.

For more tips and information on all these chemicals and their association with endo, stay tuned for my new book (Heal Endo: A Modern Roadmap to Healing From Endometriosis) out late Summer!

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8 Chou, Y. C., & Tzeng, C. R. (2021). The impact of phthalate on reproductive function in women with endometriosis. Reproductive medicine and biology, 20(2), 159–168. https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12364

9 Braun, J. M., Just, A. C., Williams, P. L., Smith, K. W., Calafat, A. M., & Hauser, R. (2014). Personal care product use and urinary phthalate metabolite and paraben concentrations during pregnancy among women from a fertility clinic. Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 24(5), 459–466. https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.69

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13 Simonelli, A.; Guadagni, R.; De Franciscis, P.; Colacurci, N.; Pieri, M.; Basilicata, P.; Pedata, P.; Lamberti, M.; Sannolo, N.; Miraglia, N. Environmental and occupational exposure to bisphenol A and endometriosis: Urinary and peritoneal fluid concentration
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14 Huang, M., Liu, S., Fu, L., Jiang, X., & Yang, M. (2020). Bisphenol A and its analogues bisphenol S, bisphenol F and bisphenol AF induce oxidative stress and biomacromolecular damage in human granulosa KGN cells. Chemosphere, 253, 126707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126707

15  Genuis, S. J., Beesoon, S., Birkholz, D., & Lobo, R. A. (2012). Human excretion of bisphenol A: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study. Journal of environmental and public health, 2012, 185731. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/185731

16 Shmarakov, I. O., Borschovetska, V. L., & Blaner, W. S. (2017). Hepatic Detoxification of Bisphenol A is Retinoid-Dependent. Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology, 157(1), 141–155. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfx022