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Polychlorinated biphenyls and menstrual cycle characteristics
Glinda S Cooper1, Mark A Klebanoff, Joanne Promislow
1Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. cooper1@niehs.nih.gov
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|February 11, 2005
Summary
Low-level exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may disrupt menstrual cycles in women, potentially increasing cycle length and irregularity. This human study supports prior animal research on PCB effects on reproductive health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Animal studies suggest organochlorine pollutants, like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), affect menstrual cycles.
- Human studies on PCB exposure and menstrual cycle effects are limited.
- Persistent organochlorine pollutants are widespread environmental contaminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exposure to PCBs and p,p'-DDE and menstrual cycle characteristics in women.
- To examine if low-level environmental pollutant exposure impacts human reproductive health.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 2314 pregnant women in the Collaborative Perinatal Project (1960s).
- Assessment of prepregnancy menstrual cycle length, regularity, and bleeding duration.
- Measurement of serum PCBs and p,p'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene) during pregnancy.
- Multivariate regression analysis adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Higher PCB levels were associated with increased menstrual cycle length (0.7 days longer).
- Increased frequency of irregular menstrual cycles observed with higher PCB exposure (OR=1.5).
- Limited evidence for associations between PCBs/DDE and bleeding duration or dysmenorrhea.
Conclusions:
- Findings support experimental data in nonhuman primates regarding PCB effects on menstrual function.
- Low-dose PCB exposure may influence menstrual cycle regularity and length in humans.
- Further research is warranted to understand the full impact of environmental pollutants on female reproductive health.