Samara Geller, EWG Database and Research Analyst on BPA, shares the dangers of BPA and how you can take measures to avoid it.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting 10-15 percent of women and upward of seven million women in the U.S. alone.

The condition affects a woman’s entire body, with symptoms such as weight gain, irregular periods, infertility, acne, hair growth on the face (hirsutism), and hair loss. 

PCOS also steps-up a woman’s risks for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease as she gets older.

And, it doesn’t go away after menopause. 

While there are genetic links, environmental factors like endocrine disruptors (both natural and man-made) also impact PCOS. Endocrine disruptors are everywhere; however, there are ways you can reduce your exposure to them. 

Some things you can do include avoiding plastics in your food or when cooking and being mindful of the beauty products and household cleaners you use. 

Keep reading for some steps you can take to avoid exposure.

Samara Geller, EWG Database and Research Analyst on BPA, shares the dangers of BPA and how you can take measures to avoid it.

What are the top 10 endocrine disruptors you might be unfamiliar with, even though they are quite common?

How can you avoid exposure to BPA and its just-as-harmful replacement BPS?

The chemicals found in food packages can have as big of an impact on your health as your food choices.

Plastic has become extremely unavoidable and could be the reason you're not feeling well.

How closely do you pay attention to the number within the triangle on the bottom of plastic containers? Do you know what each means?

If you've purchased a plastic water bottle lately, you may have noticed it is labeled "BPA-Free." What exactly is BPA, and why would you want to be free of it?

Did you know that you could be giving the gift of cancer without even knowing it? Learn the toxic substances to avoid in the products you give as gifts.

Dogs that chew on plastic toys may be exposed to hormone-altering chemicals. Is your furry friend at risk?

We’ve talked frequently on YOU The Owner's Manual Radio Show about the feminization of male tadpoles when exposed to ponds with plastic bottles made with BPA.  

BPA is a plasticizer common in baby bottles in the plastic baby bottle era of 1970 to 2008, and is common in thermal receipts.  

It acts to disrupt testosterone function and maybe to mimic estrogen. Those changes are thought to be very powerful: it appears male infants function with certain brain structures more like females - more of the FOX2 protein, which leads to more chatter (I kid you not) when the mom has a high blood level of BPA during pregnancy.  And more asthma in such children too.

Now something even more serious.

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and it’s cousin BPS in the womb or as an infant increases the risk of childhood learning disorders, by changing the function of a gene important to learning in kids (and even us adults.)

These genes produce a protein that gets chloride out of cells. Not enough chloride out, poor development of connections, which means poor learning.

Small amounts of BPA and BPS seem to interfere with brain development by blocking these genes.

Even worse, maybe this endocrine disruptor is responsible for some of the substantial increase in autism in the last two decades.

The BPA chemical is under attack, but are we still underestimating the potential effects? We share simple steps you can take to minimize your exposure.