Dot Moorhouse, 41, from Totnes, says removing toxins from her life helped end a 15-year struggle with endometriosis and PCOS. “As soon as my periods started when I was 13, they were problematic. I was put on the pill at 14 to ‘manage my symptoms’ but the pain persisted. At 20, I was told I had endometriosis. A few years later, I also found out I had polycystic ovarian syndrome and that it would be highly unlikely I’d be able to conceive naturally. “Then in 2013, I had a cancer scare when I found blood in my stools – my dad had died from bowel cancer when I was a child. Thankfully, I got the all-clear but I went on a mission to cancer-proof my life and after reading the book Clean by Alejandro Junger, I decided to remove as many toxins from my life as possible. “I bought organic food, swapped my cleaning and beauty products to ‘low tox’ alternatives, and stopped using bleach and scented candles. Then I came off the pill, and eight weeks later, my partner Maarten and I found out I was pregnant with our daughter. “Two years later, we left London for Devon to access nature and cleaner air, then I fell pregnant with our son. For the past seven years I’ve had a healthy menstrual cycle with no noticeable symptoms of endometriosis or PCOS and we’ve continued to refine our environment. “I work to support those who want to switch out toxic products. We also have an online community called The Holistic Health Club where we share information on everything from DIY skincare to managing the menstrual cycle.” Forget about burglars and the bogeyman, the real villains are already inside your home, potentially causing damage to your health. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, are currently a hot topic as they've been associated with declining fertility rates and an increased occurrence of hormone-sensitive cancers. But what exactly are they and how can we steer clear? EDCs are synthetic or man-made chemicals that have the ability to block or mimic the action of hormones. This messes with the delicate balance of our endocrine system, which is in charge of regulating many biological processes in our bodies. "EDCs affect the natural functioning of our hormones and their feedback mechanisms," explains Grace Kingswell, a nutritional therapist who specialises in fertility (gracekingswell. com). In today's world, it's difficult to avoid them – particularly around Easter when we usually kick off the big "spring clean". From beauty products in the bathroom cabinet to cleaning supplies under the sink, they're lurking in nearly every corner of your home. "[EDCs] are in a variety of products such as plastics, cosmetics, food, toys, clothing, cleaning products, furnishings, and electronics," says Christina Hawkes, founder of the natural cleaning brand Greenscents." Research, including a study from the Endocrine Society in collaboration with the International Pollutants Elimination Network, indicates that exposure to these toxins can affect female reproduction. The studies have pointed out girls hitting puberty earlier and menopause symptoms intensifying, as well as conditions like endometriosis. EDCs have also been held responsible for the decreasing sperm count and sperm quality in men. Alarmingly, some EDCs are known or suspected carcinogens, and exposure has been associated with an increase in ovarian and breast cancer, as well as testicular and prostate cancer. Let's explore ways to detoxify your home.... Part ways with plastic Endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA (Bisphenol A) in plastic is bad news for our health. If you are storing food in plastic containers, make sure it is cold before it goes in, and never use plastic containers to heat things in the microwave. Grace says, “When plastic is heated, the BPA(or nasty BPA cousins) leach out and end up in your food. Use glass or stainless steel containers.” Stick with it While non-stick pans are undoubtedly easier to use than their non-coated counterparts, they may not be the safest way to cook. Some non-stick coatings contain EDCs called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which could leach into your food while cooking. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they can stay in our bodies for a long time. Stainless steel or cast iron pans are safer options. Be scent-sible “Artificial fragrances are a huge no for hormones,” says Grace.“ [The phthalates in them] have been extensively linked to sperm damage in men and also have an endocrine-disrupting effect in women, which affects the menstrual cycle and healthy ovulation.” Avoid anything that has “parfum”, “perfume” or “fragrance” in the ingredients list. Clean things up “Conventional cleaning products contain a toxic cocktail of chemicals that include triclosan, triclocarban and many other EDCs,” says Christina. “If you are going to use [them], make sure there is sufficient ventilation. ”But the best thing to do is look for natural products that are certified by recognised organisations.“This is the only way you can be sure that all the ingredients are listed on the label and the products do not contain EDCs,” says Christina. You can make your own chemical-free products with vinegar, lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda. Get save about skincare On average, women use around 16 beauty products every day, which equals a whole lot of EDCs being absorbed into our skin. Choose products with organic or naturally-derived ingredients, and those labelled as phthalate, BPA and paraben-free. This is especially important for pregnant women, because exposure to EDCs while pregnant has been shown to harm foetal development.