Chemical exposure and menstrual regulation

It is estimated that individuals are exposed to hundreds of harmful chemicals at any given time, where it is nearly impossible to find unexposed populations anywhere in the world. Exposure routes include eating, drinking, breathing, and dermal absorption. After chemicals enter the body, their impact depends on their properties, whether they are excreted or stored, and their rates of entry and excretion. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of particular concern, as they may impact metabolism and interfere with homeostatic feedback regulation of various endocrine organs by interfering with hormone production. In women, this may increase the risk of negative reproductive health outcomes, such as during the menstrual cycle. Despite the inevitable exposure to EDCs, there is limited research that examines exposure routes and assesses which may have the greatest impact on female reproductive health. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to see if different levels of chemical exposure can cause menstrual irregularities and if additional factors modulate these effects. Using an online survey, we collected information about lifestyle, nutrition, health status, and chemical exposure in women aged 18-35 who experience a menstrual cycle. The survey included questions regarding reproductive health, product use, general health, mental health, work, and additional factors that are known to impact reproductive health. The survey data was analyzed using a regression analysis to see which exposure routes, health statuses, or additional factors may contribute to menstrual irregularities, and which may not. A correlation was found between increase in age and a decrease in the risk of experiencing dysmenorrhea from 56% to 45% (p=0.016, OR=0.907). A correlation was found between high chemical exposure and a decrease in the risk of experiencing dysmenorrhea from 56% to 14% (p=0.015, OR=0.274). A correlation was found between menstruation that lasts eight or more days and an increase in the risk of both dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia from 56% to over 100% (p=0.014, OR=3.969) and 20% to over 100% (p<0.001, OR=17.943), respectively. A correlation was found between moderate alcohol consumption and a decrease in the risk of experiencing menorrhagia from 20% to 2% (p=0.001, OR=0.106). A correlation was found between moderate to heavy drug use and a decrease in the risk of experiencing menorrhagia from 20% to 4% (p=0.010, OR=0.210), and a correlation was found between moderate stress and a decrease in the risk of experiencing menorrhagia from 20% to 4% (p=0.016, OR=0.220). Our study aims to encourage future research in the field of women’s health, where research in this area is often limited, especially regarding research looking at women’s health under a more holistic lens.