Effect of Environmental Contaminants on Female Reproductive Health: A Narrative Review
Azra Yaqoob, Gh Jeelani Mir, Sharief-ud-din Khan, Bashir Ahmad Dar
Abstract
This narrative review explores the intricate relationship between some abundant environmental contaminants and the female reproductive system. Environmental toxicants have demonstrated significant adverse effects on female reproductive health. For instance pesticides are consistently associated with early pregnancy loss, heightened leukemia risk, intrauterine growth restriction, poor brain development, and congenital abnormalities. These contaminants can disrupt hormonal balance critical for reproductive function, exacerbating unexplained infertility in 15–30% of couples. Environmental contamination, encompassing chemical, biological, and physical constituents, exerts adverse effects on ecosystems and human health, with infertility emerging as a less recognized consequence. Various factors, including heavy metals (e.g., cadmium and lead), air pollutants, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors, uniquely impact female reproductive health. Heavy metals act as endocrine disruptors, leading to hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities. Simultaneously, air pollution is correlated with adverse fetal outcomes, emphasizing its relevance in the context of reproductive health. This narrative review underscores the multifaceted adverse effects of some relevant environmental contaminants on female reproductive health and the need for a comprehensive approach to mitigate these impacts and protect women's reproductive well-being.