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.
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