In utero exposure to a mixture of phthalates, parabens, and other phenols and menstrual cycle characteristics in adolescents

Phthalates, parabens, and other phenols are present in consumer products humans use every day, including personal care products and food packaging. Exposure to these chemicals may have endocrine disrupting effects. The menstrual cycle is guided by the rise and fall of hormones, which may be disrupted by exposure to these chemicals. Urinary concentrations of metabolites of phthalates, parabens, and phenols in mothers during pregnancy and several menstrual cycle characteristics in their daughters at age 16 were examined in a predominantly Latino farmworker cohort. The association between the chemicals and each outcome was examined using logistic regression. Bayesian hierarchical modeling was used to model the chemical mixture's associations with each outcome. All models were adjusted for poverty level during pregnancy, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, and fast-food consumption at adolescent age 9. Results showed a positive association between mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, propylparaben, and bisphenol-A and heavy menstrual flow. Exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenol was positively associated with short cycle length. Mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were positively associated with long cycle length. These results suggest in utero exposure to phthalates, parabens, and other phenols may be associated with abnormal menstrual cycle characteristics in adolescents.