SARMs Glossary – Endocrine Disruption

What It Means, How It Happens & Why It Matters in Research

Endocrine disruption refers to the process by which external chemicals interfere with the body’s hormonal (endocrine) system — often with far-reaching health effects. These disruptors can mimic, block, or alter hormone signals, leading to changes in development, fertility, metabolism, or even behaviour.

If you’re working with hormone-related compounds like SARMs, SERMs, or synthetic hormones, understanding endocrine disruption is essential.

🧬 What Is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system is the body’s network of glands that produce and regulate hormones. These hormones control:

• Growth and development
• Reproduction and fertility
• Metabolism and energy use
• Mood and cognitive function
• Immune response

Key components include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenals, testes/ovaries, and feedback loops that tightly control hormone levels.

🧪 What Is an Endocrine Disruptor?

An endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) is any substance — natural or synthetic — that can interfere with this hormonal signalling.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

“An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance that alters the function of the endocrine system and causes adverse health effects.”

EDCs can:

• Mimic natural hormones (e.g., estrogens or androgens)
• Block hormone receptors
• Disrupt hormone synthesis or clearance
• Alter receptor sensitivity or gene expression

🧭 Examples of Known Endocrine Disruptors

🔬 How Does Endocrine Disruption Happen?

Disruption can occur at multiple levels:

• At the hypothalamus or pituitary, altering hormone signalling (e.g., LH, FSH)
• At the receptor level, mimicking or blocking normal hormone action
• At the gene expression level, by altering transcription of hormone-responsive genes

Some compounds, like SARMs, are designed to act on androgen receptors, but may also impact endogenous testosterone production, which is a form of endocrine modulation — or disruption, if unregulated.

📚 See PMC8960645 – Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals for an in-depth review.

Further reading : Enclomiphene Mechanism

⚠️ Health Risks Associated with Endocrine Disruption

The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) lists potential effects of endocrine disruptors:

• Male and female infertility
• Altered puberty or sexual development
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Metabolic disorders (e.g., obesity, insulin resistance)
• Neurological and behavioural changes
• Hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, prostate)

Further reading: Ostarine Side Effects

⚖️ Regulatory Perspective

Many endocrine-disrupting chemicals are restricted or banned in the EU, UK, and US due to reproductive toxicity or carcinogenic potential.

The EU’s REACH regulation defines an EDC as a substance of very high concern (SVHC).

• UK REACH continues to evaluate and restrict EDCs post-Brexit.
• The FDA and EPA in the US maintain databases of suspected EDCs (e.g., EDSP list).

📘 UK/EU researchers should consult:

• UK REACH Guidance
• ECHA EDC Classification

Further reading : UK Sarms Law

🧾 Summary: What You Should Know About Endocrine Disruption

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