Associations of exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols with gynecological disorders

• Published in: Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-08, Vol.95, p.19-28
• Main Authors: Lee, Jangwoo, Jeong, Yunsun, Mok, Sori, Choi, Kyungho, Park, Jeongim, Moon, Hyo-Bang, Choi, Gyuyeon, Kim, Hai-Joong, Kim, Su Young, Choi, Soo Ran, Kim, Sungkyoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Benign diseases; Endocrine Disruptors - urine; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental phenols; Environmental Pollutants - urine; Female; Genital Diseases, Female - epidemiology; Genital Diseases, Female - urine; Humans; Middle Aged; Personal care products; Phenols - urine; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids - urine; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Women of reproductive age
• ISSN: 0890-6238; 1873-1708
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.04.076

•Phthalates and environmental phenols may play a role in reproductive hormone release.•The association between these compounds and gynecological disorders were examined.•DEHP metabolites, ethyl paraben and 3,4-DHB showed associations with some disorders.•Always user of Personal care products had a higher odd ratio in uterine leiomyoma. Phthalates and environmental phenols might be associated with some benign diseases that have been found to be hormone-sensitive. Current knowledge on adverse effects of these chemicals among reproductive women is limited and often controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the urinary concentration of phthalates and environmental phenols and gynecological disorders from 512 women of reproductive age. The association between chemical concentration and disease in the control and case groups was statistically determined with the questionnaire survey data and measurements using the LC–MS/MS. The results have shown that DEHP metabolites, ethyl paraben and 3,4-DHB showed significant direct associations with leiomyoma and benign ovarian tumors (p < 0.05). We found statistically significant positive relationships between exposure to chemicals (some DEHP metabolites, DHB) and prevalence of gynecologic disorders (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ORs for leiomyoma associated with these compounds in always user for personal care products (PCPs) was higher than those of sometimes user. High levels of urinary concentrations of these compounds such as DEHP metabolites and parabens and their metabolites showed significant associations with leiomyoma and benign ovarian tumors.