---
title: Can air pollution affect how long the phases of the menstrual cycle last?
description: Air pollution may slightly extend the follicular phase (the time before ovulation) by 0.7 to 1.6 days depending on pollutant type, but this finding needs conf
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/can-atmospheric-pollutants-influence-menstrual-cycle-function-2020/
---

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- Can air pollution affect how long the phases of the menstrual cycle last?

Cohort study, 2020

# Can air pollution affect how long the phases of the menstrual cycle last?

Air pollution may slightly extend the follicular phase (the time before ovulation) by 0.7 to 1.6 days depending on pollutant type, but this finding needs confirmation in larger studies.

 Moderate study design

184 women not using contraception

## What they did

Cohort study of 184 women not using contraception tracked through one menstrual cycle. Women collected urine samples every other day to measure a hormone showing cycle timing. Researchers estimated air pollution exposure (nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter) from monitoring stations and models for the 30 days before the cycle.

## What they found

For each 10 unit increase in nitrogen dioxide, the follicular phase lengthened by 0.7 days (95% CI 0.2 to 1.3). For each 10 unit increase in particulate matter, it lengthened by 1.6 days (95% CI 0.3 to 2.9). Exposures in the week before the cycle also associated with longer follicular phase. No clear link found with luteal phase or total cycle length.

## What it means for you

This is one of the first studies suggesting air pollution might slightly delay ovulation. Main limits are that each woman was followed for only one cycle, the study was done in one region, and findings need confirmation.

0.7 day

Follicular phase increase per 10 μg/m³ nitrogen dioxide

1.6 day

Follicular phase increase per 10 μg/m³ particulate matter

184

Number of women

## About the study

Original title Can atmospheric pollutants influence menstrual cycle function? Authors Giorgis-Allemand L, Thalabard JC, Rosetta L et al. Journal Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) Year 2020 Study design Cohort study Participants 184 What was tested Exposure to atmospheric pollutants (nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113605](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113605)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)

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