Women Today Are More Likely To Have Hot Flashes — Are EDCs To Blame?

Using data on 50-year-old women from four different population studies within the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden, the prospective longitudinal study compared the prevalence of daily hot flashes for women in earlier-born cohorts (1918 and 1930) to those in later-born cohorts (1954 and 1966). 

Researchers found that later-born women were nearly twice as likely to experience daily hot flashes as earlier-born women, even after adjusting for potential hot flash predictors (e.g., smoking, body composition, perceived level of high stress). 

As the name implies, endocrine-disrupting chemicals are compounds in our environment, food, personal care products, and manufactured goods that interfere with healthy endocrine function. Exposure to EDCs has been found to have a profound impact on hormonal health and, if left unchecked, can lead to long-term endocrine health implications1.

According to previous research, the conjecture that EDCs may be contributing to increased hot flashes isn't far-fetched: A 2016 2Reproductive Toxicology2 study2 found that women who used personal care products with phthalates (a type of EDC mainly added to plastic)—specifically, those derived from the parent phthalate DEP—were more likely to experience hot flashes.

Whether looking at fertility outcomes or menopause side effects, it's becoming more and more apparent that modern toxins like EDCs are affecting our hormones in undesirable ways.

Luckily, our bodies have an innate and elaborate detoxification system that helps rid us of these unwanted compounds. The problem? With so many modern environmental toxins to eliminate, our natural detox processes could use a little help these days.

Hot flashes are twice as prevalent among menopausal women as they were 50 years ago, and evidence suggests EDCs may be contributing to this concerning increase.