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Irregular menstruation is when the length of the cycle is more than 35 days, or if the duration varies. © Shutterstock
The air your teenage daughter breathes may be causing irregular menstrual cycles, say researchers as negative health effects from air pollution exposure include infertility, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.
This study is the first to show that exposure to air pollution among teen girls (ages 14-18) is associated with slightly increased chances of menstrual irregularity and longer time to achieve such regularity in high school and early adulthood.
The study was published in the journal of Human Reproduction.
The menstrual cycle is responsive to hormonal regulation. Particulate matter air pollution has demonstrated hormonal activity. However, it was not known if air pollution was associated with menstrual cycle regularity, until now.
The researchers used health and location data gathered in the Nurses' Health Study 2 plus air pollution exposure metrics from the EPA air quality monitoring system to understand a participants' exposure during a particular time window.
They found exposure to air pollution in during high school was correlated with menstrual cycle irregularity.
"Implications on human disease may come through reducing emissions on a global and individual level," said Mahalingaiah.