How Do Endocrine Disruptors Impact Our Health?

Dr. Mary Rosser, obstetrician gynecologist and director of Fazzalari Women’s Health at NewYork-Presbyterian The One and Columbia, joins us to explain how the endocrine system functions and how external chemicals can disrupt hormonal signals that influence metabolism, fertility, cancer risk, and long-term health.

She details the most common sources of endocrine disruptors — including plastics, personal care items, cleaning products, and pesticides — and shares clear, manageable strategies for reducing everyday exposure. Dr. Rosser’s guidance empowers listeners to make small, sustainable changes that can help protect hormonal well‑being.

 

Chapters:

00:00:00 — Understanding Hormones and Endocrine Disruptors

00:05:01 — Health Effects Linked to Endocrine Disruptors

00:09:55 — Everyday Sources and How to Reduce Exposure

00:17:28 — Can the Body Recover? Practical Steps and Final Takeaways

 

Key Topics Covered

• What hormones are and how the endocrine system works
• What endocrine disruptors are and how they interfere with hormone signaling
• How endocrine disruptors enter the body (skin, food, air)
• Health impacts: metabolism, fertility, cancer risk, and chronic conditions
• Common sources of disruptors (plastics, BPA, phthalates, cosmetics, cleaning products, pesticides, microplastics)
• Practical ways to reduce exposure in daily life
• How to monitor hormone health and when to talk to a doctor
• The body’s ability to recover once exposure is reduced

 

Takeaway Message
This episode empowers listeners to understand how everyday chemicals can interfere with the body’s delicate hormonal system — and shows that small, practical changes in the products we use and the foods we choose can meaningfully reduce exposure.

 

Expert Guest

Dr. Mary L. Rosser, M.D., Ph.D., NCMP is an obstetrician gynecologist and the director of Fazzalari Women’s Health at NewYork-Presbyterian The One and Columbia. She is the Richard U. and Ellen J. Levine Assistant Professor of Women's Health (in Obstetrics and Gynecology) at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. She joined the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University in April 2018 to provide routine gynecology care and to further develop a comprehensive well-woman program. She has been a practicing obstetrician gynecologist for more than 20 years, starting in private practice and then joining the faculty at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. While at Montefiore, she created, launched, and led the forty-person Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Rosser received her undergraduate degree at Emory University and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology at the Medical College of Georgia. She attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Emory University. She is also a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner, able to provide high-quality care for patients at menopause and beyond.

Primary care and heart disease in women have always been areas of focus for Dr. Rosser. She conducted basic science research on heart disease during graduate school and was the Chair of the "Women & Heart Disease Physician Education Initiative" for District II of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. She continues to conduct clinical studies around patient awareness and understanding of heart disease and well-woman care. Dr. Rosser serves on the Medical Leadership Team of the Go Red for Women movement of the American Heart Association and she is ACOG's liaison to the American College of Cardiology.