A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reveals a potential connection between exposure to endocrine-disrupting phthalates and a decrease in women’s fecundability, or the likelihood of achieving pregnancy during a menstrual cycle.
Carrie Nobles, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, shared insights into the study’s findings. Data from 12,228 women involved in the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction (EAGeR) trial from 2007 to 2011 were analyzed. The trial, targeting women aged 18 to 40 with regular menstrual cycles, aimed to assess the effects of low-dose aspirin on pregnancy outcomes.
Results indicated that higher preconception exposure to phthalates correlated with elevated inflammation, oxidative stress, changes in reproductive hormones, and an extended time to pregnancy. Notably, each increase in exposure to specific phthalates, including mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, mono-butyl phthalate, and mono-benzyl phthalate, was associated with reduced odds for fecundability.
The study also highlighted associations between phthalate exposure and lower levels of estradiol across menstrual cycles, higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and inconsistent associations with progesterone.
Furthermore, cross-sectional analyses revealed links between certain phthalate metabolites and increased levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, indicating potential impacts on inflammation.
Nobles emphasized the broad-reaching effects of phthalates on menstrual cycle function and women’s reproductive health. While the study primarily focused on preconception exposure, it suggests that phthalates may have broader implications deserving further exploration.
The findings raise awareness about the potential risks associated with exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their impact on women’s reproductive health, emphasizing the need for continued research in this area.
