Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Menstrual Cycle Characteristics in Midlife Women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 2026, v. 141: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Menstrual Cycle Characteristics in Midlife Women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.
• Journal Article:
  Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)
• Personal Author:
  Harlow, Siobán D. ; Hood, Michelle M. ; Brooks, Rachael ; Calafat, Antonia M. ; Randolph, John F. ; Gold, Ellen B. ; Park, Sung Kyun
• Description:
  Evidence suggests exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), may disrupt ovarian function and influence menstrual bleeding. PFAS have been associated with reproductive aging; however, longitudinal data on PFAS and menstrual cycle characteristics (cycle length, bleeding patterns) are limited.
  
  We examined 952 women aged 45-55 years from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, with seven PFAS concentrations measured in serum collected in 1999-2000. Menstrual cycle data were collected prospectively using monthly calendars for two years following PFAS measurement. Menstrual cycle length (MCL) was evaluated using linear quantile mixed models at the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. Bleed length and binary bleeding outcomes (long and heavy) were analyzed using linear and generalized linear mixed models. Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, education, physical activity, menopause status, smoking status, body mass index, and baseline menstrual characteristics.
  
  Higher perfluorooctane sulfonic acid concentrations were associated with shorter short cycles (MCL at the 25th percentile) (-0.52 days; 95% CI, -1.09-0.05) and longer long cycles (MCL at the 90th percentile) (2.77 days; 95% CI, 1.96-3.58). Perfluorononanoic acid was associated with longer short cycles (0.56 days; 95% CI, 0.06-1.05). No PFAS was associated with median MCL. Most PFAS, except 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid, were associated with shorter menses and lower odds of long or heavy bleeding.
  
  PFAS exposure may be associated with increased menstrual cycle variability and reduced bleeding. Further research in younger cohorts is needed.
• Content Notes:
  Author manuscript
• Subjects:
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Middle Aged
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Women's Health
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Longitudinal Studies
• Keywords:
  • Menstrual bleed length
  • Menstrual cycle length
  • Midlife women
  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
  • Menstrual cycle
• Source:
  Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 2026, v. 141
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2026.109207
• ISSN:
  0890-6238 ; 1873-1708
• Pubmed ID:
  41763333
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC13229287
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  R01 ES035087/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; P30 ES017885/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; R01 ES026578/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012505/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG12539/NH/NIH HHSUnited States/ ; T42 OH008455/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012495/NIH/ ; U01 AG012535/NIH/ ; U01 AG012554/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012554/NH/NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012535/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012553/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 NR004061/NR/NINR NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012539/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; R01 ES026578/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012546/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U19 AG063720/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012495/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG012531/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; R01 ES026964/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 AG017719/AG/NIA NIH HHSUnited States/
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Pages in Document:
  109207 (19 pdf pages)
• Volume:
  141
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/260761/cdc_260761_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 369.08 KB]
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:747f1f597bb2cf49430534773ede9c0ee6a66774ae7809944e8b30db562ebc1b4f683efee2af5ef1309ed8964aa7cb89c5e1cb4671205570c1501197b74d8a52