Exposure to phthalates, an endocrine disruptor found in some household chemicals, impacts female reproductive hormones, reducing the chances of getting pregnant, a study finds.
- Phthalates are endocrine disruptors found in soft plastics.
- According to a new study, they impact female reproductive hormones.
- Researchers observed that exposure to phthalates reduced the risk of becoming pregnant.
In France, around one in eight couples consults due to difficulty conceiving a child, according to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). The decline in fertility can come from different factors according to health insurance : age, consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol, lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle, overweight, diet), exposure to pollutants and endocrine disruptors, i.e. substances that alter the production of certain hormones, such as parabens, bisphenol A or phthalates.
Phthalates found in many household chemicals
A new study carried out by researchers from University of Massachusetts Amherstin the United States, shows that exposure to certain household chemicals containing phthalates can reduce the chance of getting pregnant.
In their work, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, they demonstrate the particularly harmful role of phthalates. Most are classified as “substances toxic to reproduction” according to Public Health France. They are particularly present in soft plastics and therefore in certain household chemicals.
“Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine disruptors and we are exposed to them daily“, explains Carrie Nobles, lead author, in a communicated.
To measure the impact of phthalate exposure on reproduction, scientists analyzed data from 1,228 participants over six menstrual cycles while they were trying to get pregnant. Those who succeeded were followed throughout their pregnancy.
Phthalates impact reproductive hormones
In the body, phthalates are broken down into metabolites which are then excreted through urine. Thus, by analyzing this liquid, the researchers observed the presence of 20 phthalate metabolites in the urine samples taken when participants enrolled in the study. “As exposure increased, we saw more and more effects” on how long it takes to get pregnant, notes Carrie Nobles.
Scientists also observed that women at higher risk had lower estradiol levels and higher follicle-stimulating hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, which plays an important role in ovulation and time to get pregnant. . In other words, exposure to phthalates impacts reproductive hormones.
“This profile – low estradiol and high follicle-stimulating hormone – is something we see in women with ovarian failure, which can occur with age or due to other factors, underlines Carrie Nobles. Ovulation just doesn’t happen as well as it used to.“
Another finding: Participants with greater exposure to phthalates had higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to organ and tissue damage and, ultimately, disease.
For the authors, regulations should be reviewed because the omnipresence of phthalates has an impact on the reproductive function of women.
