Chemicals in menstrual products: A systematic review.
BJOG
; 131(5): 655-664, 2024 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37743685
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
From menarche until menopause, the average menstruator will use over 11 000 tampons or sanitary pads. Vaginal and vulvar tissue is highly permeable, and chemicals are absorbed without undergoing first-pass metabolism.OBJECTIVES:
To conduct a review of the literature to determine exposure to environmental chemicals in menstrual products. SEARCH STRATEGY This review identified 15 papers over the past 10 years. SELECTION CRITERIA Papers that measured chemicals in menstrual products and that measured human biomarkers of chemical exposure were included. Papers had to also be available in English. DATA COLLECTION ANDANALYSIS:
Reviewers assessed the articles and data provided. Multiple chemical groups were found. MAINRESULTS:
Phthalates, volatile organic compounds, parabens, environmental phenols, fragrance chemicals, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds were detected in menstrual products. Research gaps were identified, including the lack of studies on newer products such as menstrual underwear and cups/discs. In addition to measuring chemicals in these products, future research should focus on clarifying the exposure per menstrual cycle to these chemicals to understand how menorrhagia and cycle length influence exposure from menstrual products.CONCLUSION:
Menstrual products contained measurable levels of a range of endocrine disrupting chemicals including phthalates, phenols and parabens. This reflects a potentially important route of exposure to chemicals that can impact women's reproductive health.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ácidos Ftálicos
/
Productos para la Higiene Menstrual
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BJOG
Asunto de la revista:
GINECOLOGIA
/
OBSTETRICIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos