Early menopause is associated with exposure to chemical compounds
Researchers at the University of Washington Medical School have found that a high content of a number of chemical compounds in women's tissues is associated with the early onset of menopause. These compounds are part of plastic products, personal hygiene products and other items that are widely used in everyday life and found in the environment.
The authors, working under the guidance of Dr. Amber Cooper, analyzed the content in the blood and urine of 111 compounds in women suspected of having the ability to influence the production and distribution of hormones in the body. While several smaller studies have analyzed the relationship between menopause and compounds affecting the endocrine balance of the body, the new work was the first to conduct a large-scale analysis of the relationship between menopause and individual chemicals using a nationally representative sample, which included women living throughout the United States.
To do this, the researchers analyzed data collected in the period 1999-2008. within the framework of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Program conducted by the Center for Disease Control of the United States.
A total of 31,575 women were included in the study, 1,442 of whom were in the post-menopausal period at the time of the research. The average age of the latter was 61 years, while none of them underwent hormone replacement therapy with estrogen preparations and did not undergo surgery to remove the ovaries.
Blood and urine samples of the participants were analyzed for the content of 111 mainly artificial compounds, including those known as toxins affecting the reproductive system and/or decomposing for a year or more. The analyzed compounds were divided into the following categories: dioxins/furans (by-products of industrial combustion), phthalates (included in plastics, common household items, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, including lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, nail polishes, liquid soap and hair sprays), phytoestrogens (estrogens of plant origin), polychlorinated biphenyls (cooling agents), phenol derivatives (phenols, industrial pollutants), organophosphate pesticides, surfactants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (combustion products).
The analysis revealed 15 compounds – 9 polychlorinated biphenyls, three pesticides, 2 phthalates and 1 furan – requiring more detailed study, as demonstrating a pronounced association with the early onset of menopause (2-4 years earlier than in women whose samples contained low concentrations of the corresponding compounds) and potentially having a detrimental effect on ovarian function.
Fading ovarian function not only reduces the likelihood of fertilization, but can also lead to the early development of osteoporosis, heart disease and other health problems. Previously, the relationships between a number of compounds and the development of certain types of cancer, metabolic syndrome and early puberty in young girls have already been identified.
According to the authors, many of the analyzed compounds are prohibited for use in the United States, but they are still used in other countries of the world and end up in the environment. We cannot fully control the effects of potentially toxic chemicals on the body, as they are contained in soil, water and air. However, we should pay more attention to everyday products and items. For example, it is much safer to use paper packaging or glassware instead of plastic containers for heating in a microwave oven. Also, before purchasing, you should carefully study the composition of cosmetics, personal hygiene products and food packaging.
Article by Grinder NM et al. Persistent organic pollutants and early menopause in U.S. women is published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Washington University School of Medicine:
Earlier menopause linked to everyday chemical exposures.
06.02.2015