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Review
. 2019 Apr 30;23(2):154-164.
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20190016.

Environmental toxins and the impact of other endocrine disrupting chemicals in women's reproductive health

Mauri José Piazza  1 , Almir Antônio Urbanetz  1
Affiliations
Review

Environmental toxins and the impact of other endocrine disrupting chemicals in women's reproductive health

Mauri José Piazza et al. JBRA Assist Reprod. .

Abstract

This review aimed to look into agents and mechanisms characterized as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These agents are known to cause several harmful effects to the reproductive system of women and wildlife. There is a wide range of chemicals, developed for commercial use mainly in agriculture, which may cause endocrine disruption. Numerous studies show evidence of environmental contamination. However, no one is being held liable for the damages. The most important potentially harmful agents are identified and described, along with the different effects they have on the female genital area. Brazil is a large consumer of pesticides and others chemicals that may interfere with a normal women's life. We analyzed and described the mode of action and the impacts of different EDCs (bisphenols, phthalates, atrazine, polychlorinated and polybrominated biphenyls, DDT-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; DDE-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDD-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; and DES-diethylstilbestrol) on the genital area, ovarian steroidogenesis, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, the structure of the uterus and the vagina, and on the formation of leiomyomas.

Keywords: endocrine disrupting chemicals; environmental pollution; environmental toxicants; human reproduction; reproductive health.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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