Pollutants in the air would increase the risk of pain during menstruation.
- About one in four women suffers from dysmenorrhea.
- Nitrogen oxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particles increase the risk of suffering from it.
- According to the World Health Organization, nine out of ten people breathe polluted air.
Cramps in the stomach, hips or lower back: dysmenorrhea can manifest itself in different ways. These characteristic menstrual pains affect many women and can become debilitating. For 2 to 29% of the women concerned, according to studies, they require a modification of daily tasks, which become too difficult to carry out. According to Chinese researchers from the University Hospital of Taiwan, these pains could be linked to air quality. Nitrogen, carbon monoxide and fine particles increase the risk of suffering from dysmenorrhea. The results of this study have been published in Frontiers in Public Health.
Multiple causes
“Studies have already shown that women who smoke or drink during their period, those who are overweight, or who have their first period very young have a higher risk of dysmenorrhea.says Professor Cung Y. Hsu, one of the authors of this study. Women who have never been pregnant are also at higher risk.“Sometimes, this pain can also be a sign of endometriosis or hormonal disorders. In most cases, the contraceptive pill or anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the intensity of the pain or even eliminate it.
A risk multiplied by pollution
In this study, Taiwanese scientists looked at air pollution and its consequences. They analyzed health data from nearly 300,000 women aged 16 to 55 over a 13-year period. They cross-referenced this information with that of the air quality database, collected by the local environmental protection agency. According to their results, the risk of dysmenorrhea was 33 times higher for women living in areas most affected by air pollution.
Fine particles, particularly dangerous
Scientists have found that different pollutants are responsible for increasing the risk, but fine particles are the most dangerous. “Our results show that the overall impact of air quality on human health, but specifically on the risk of dysmenorrhea in women and girls, emphasizes Professor Hsu, co-author. It is a clear illustration of the need for action by government agencies and citizens to reduce air pollution.“In China, 2.8 million people died in 2015 due to air pollution, according to a report by German and Cypriot researchers.
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