The University of Boston discovered that exposure to pollution not only causes cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases

Leer en español: La polución afecta gravemente la salud femenina

Exposure to pollution can have serious consequences for women's health. According to a study conducted by Boston University, the negative effects of pollution for women include

• Infertility
• Metabolic syndrome
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Menstrual irregularity

These diseases usually affect adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age, whose menstrual cycle is affected. According to the Eurekalert portal, "particulate air pollution has shown hormonal activity. However, it was not known if air pollution was associated with the regularity of the menstrual cycle, until now".

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The discovery means that women in adolescence are susceptible to develop hormonal diseases that will affect their sexual and reproductive health. The researchers, whose study was published in Human Reproduction, found that "exposure to air pollution during high school correlated with the irregularity of the menstrual cycle."

How was this result achieved?

The researchers used "health and location data collected in the Nurses' Health Study 2 plus air pollution exposure metrics from the EPA air quality monitoring system to understand the exposure of the participants over a period of time. determined".

The information collected led them to conclude that beyond the pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases that are known to be exposed to pollution, there are other diseases that attack the reproductive system.

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What can be done?

Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, MS, assistant professor at Boston University, stresses that the most effective solution is to reduce gas emissions globally and locally. In this way, the different diseases caused by pollution will be reduced.

On a personal level, it is recommended not to live in areas with high levels of contamination. In case of doing so, it is recommended to go to a doctor and consult the opinion of a professional both to prevent and treat pollution's consequences.

LatinAmerican Post | Marcela Peñaloza
Translated from "La polución afecta gravemente la salud femenina"