The Unspoken Stressor, Part 2: How Household Chemicals Can Affect Male Hormonal Health

Hormones regulate far more than we tend to realize, from energy, sleep and mood to fertility, metabolism and growth. In boys, men, and anyone assigned male at birth, hormones like testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid hormones work together to support everything from physical development to emotional and cognitive function. Yet these systems may be more vulnerable to everyday exposures than we think.

Many common household products, such as cleaners, plastics, furniture foams and finishes, contain synthetic substances known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals can interfere with the body’s hormonal signaling. When exposure is low but consistent, research suggests they may affect hormonal balance over time, especially during early life, when hormones play an outsized role in growth and brain development. John Peterson Myers, Ph.D., Board Chair and Chief Scientist of Environmental Health Sciences who “began working on endocrine disruption in 1989, when it didn’t have a name” states that, “the crucial exposure is when the baby is in the womb. The impacts manifest later in life.”

This article explores how indoor environmental exposures may impact the hormonal health of men and boys. While everyone’s experience is different, and we are not medical professionals, growing awareness of these hidden stressors can help support long-term wellbeing through informed, everyday choices.

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the body’s endocrine system, the network that governs how hormones are produced, transported and received by cells. Some EDCs imitate natural hormones like estrogen, while others block androgen receptors, suppressing testosterone’s normal function.

In males, these disruptions have been linked to delayed or early puberty, reduced sperm count, thyroid dysfunction and even increased risk of testicular and prostate conditions. Evidence also suggests that exposure during key developmental periods, from fetal development through adolescence, can have long-term consequences for reproductive health. 

Some of the most well-known endocrine disruptors include:

• Phthalates – Common in soft plastics and fragranced products, phthalates have been linked to decreased production of androgens, the hormones responsible for male reproductive development. Dr. Shanna Swan, Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at Mount Sinai School of Medicine says, phthalates “are of paramount concern” for the reason that “they lower testosterone and so have the strongest influences on the male side, for example diminishing sperm count.”
• Bisphenol A (BPA) – Originally created as a synthetic hormone, BPA is still used in many rigid plastics. It binds to hormone receptors in ways that may disrupt the balance of signals needed for sperm development, testicular function and even mood regulation. Dr. Swan states that “men occupationally exposed to BPA have shown decreased sperm quality, reduced libido and higher rates of erectile dysfunction.”
• Flame Retardants – Used in electronics, furniture foam and textiles, these persistent chemicals accumulate in fat tissue and indoor dust. They have been associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels, which are critical for neurological development in boys.
• Parabens – These antimicrobial preservatives, often found in personal care products, have been detected in urine and blood samples across all age groups. 

Where Are These Chemicals Encountered at Home?

Exposure to endocrine disruptors doesn’t usually come from one dramatic source, it’s the slow, repeated contact with ordinary objects and routines that adds up. According to Dr. Leo Trasande, Director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU School of Medicine, “we used to think endocrine disruption only had consequences at very high levels of exposure. Now we realize that synthetic chemicals can scramble molecular signals at much lower levels of exposure.” For men and boys, these exposures often happen through daily habits, materials we spend time on, and the air we breathe indoors.

• Food Containers and Wraps: Plastic is a major source of exposure, particularly when used to store hot or oily foods. Many containers are made with BPA which can leach into food.
• Home Tech: Laptops, TVs, consoles and cables are often treated with flame retardants. These chemicals break down over time and settle into household dust, where they’re inhaled or ingested.
• Furniture and Mattresses: Sofas, mattresses and cushions are often made with polyurethane foam and chemical flame retardants. These degrade over time and release particles that accumulate in indoor air.
• Paints and Solvents: Paint thinners, sealants, glues and varnishes often contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and solvents that can interfere with hormone metabolism and thyroid function. 
• Everyday Dust: Household dust is a major carrier of synthetic chemicals. It gathers substances from all the above sources and more, making it easy to inhale or ingest small amounts during daily life.
• Personal Care Items: Shaving products, hair gels and scented body washes often contain parabens and undisclosed ‘fragrance chemicals’, which may contribute to hormone disruption over time.

The Cumulative Impact of Low-Level Exposure

One of the biggest challenges with endocrine disruptors is that their effects are rarely immediate. Instead, they act subtly over time, building up in the body and influencing hormonal signalling in complex ways.

Unlike acute toxins that cause clear and rapid symptoms, EDCs work silently, altering how the brain communicates with the testes, how testosterone is produced and how cells respond to hormonal cues. Their effects impact the whole body, however. Dr. Myers points out that “plastic chemicals may be driving the increases in Obstructed Bladder Syndrome (OBS), where men have difficulty urinating.” He also says that “levels of BPA measured in adult men was a strong predictor of heart disease victims a decade later.”

From a fertility perspective, meta-analysis found that sperm counts among men had declined by over 50 percent in four decades. While many factors are involved, endocrine disruptors are considered a key contributor. According to Dr. Myers, “if current trends continue, average sperm counts around the world will approach zero by 2045.”

For adolescent boys, exposure during puberty, a period of rapid hormonal recalibration, may influence not only reproductive health but also muscle growth, body composition and mood regulation. In adults, chronic exposure has been associated with decreased libido, metabolic disturbances and fatigue.

Of course, every individual is different. Genetics, nutrition, stress levels and overall lifestyle all modulate how the body processes and responds to these substances. Still, the evidence underscores a simple truth, that reducing daily exposure to EDCs can meaningfully support long-term hormonal health.

Hormone Series Articles:

Part 1: The Unspoken Stressor: How Household Chemicals Can Affect Female Hormonal Health

Part 3: The Unspoken Stressor: Supporting Hormonal Health at Home

Photography: Caleb Jones/Unsplash

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult appropriate professionals or experts for specific advice tailored to their individual circumstances.