---
title: Does exposure to PFOS or PFOA chemicals affect menstrual cycles?
description: Higher exposure to PFOA was linked to longer menstrual cycles. However, this was a cross-sectional study that cannot prove the chemicals caused the change.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-characteristics-in-fertile-women-from-greenland-poland-and-2014/
---

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- Does exposure to PFOS or PFOA chemicals affect menstrual cycles?

Cohort study, 2014

# Does exposure to PFOS or PFOA chemicals affect menstrual cycles?

Higher exposure to PFOA was linked to longer menstrual cycles. However, this was a cross-sectional study that cannot prove the chemicals caused the change.

 Early or limited evidence

1,623 pregnant women from Greenland, Poland, and Ukraine

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 1,623 pregnant women from Greenland, Poland, and Ukraine enrolled between June 2002 and May 2004. Blood samples were tested for PFOS and PFOA levels, and women answered questions about their menstrual cycle length and irregularities.

## What they found

Women with the highest PFOA exposure had 1.8 times higher odds of having long menstrual cycles (32 or more days) compared to those with the lowest exposure. PFOS showed no significant association with menstrual cycle characteristics, though there was a tendency toward more irregular cycles.

## What it means for you

PFOA might affect menstrual cycles, but this study cannot prove cause and effect because of its design. It only studied pregnant women, so findings may not apply to all women. Response rates varied greatly between countries (91% in Greenland to 26% in Ukraine), and the study lacked information about stress and other health conditions that affect cycles.

1623

Pregnant women studied

1.8

Increased odds of long cycles with highest PFOA

45.3%

Overall response rate

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle characteristics in fertile women from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine exposed to perfluorinated chemicals: a cross-sectional study Authors Lyngsø J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Høyer BB et al. Journal Human reproduction (Oxford, England) Year 2014 Study design Cohort study Participants 1,623 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det390](https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det390)

## Topics

[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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