Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals or substances that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. These disruptors can mimic or block hormones, leading to various health effects.
Related terms
Hormones: Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in our bodies that regulate various bodily functions.
Estrogen Mimics: Estrogen mimics are endocrine disruptors that imitate estrogen, a hormone responsible for reproductive development and other physiological processes.
Developmental Disorders: Exposure to endocrine disruptors during critical periods of development can lead to developmental disorders such as impaired growth, cognitive deficits, and reproductive abnormalities.