FIGO Committee Opinion: Environmental Drivers of Gynecologic and Reproductive Health

作者：Nathaniel G. DeNicola, J Zhang, Annette Hasenburg, R Schwab, K Gupta, Ditas Decena, F Edna, D Graham, Edward Morris, Blami Dao · 发表于：Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1097/01.ogx.0001181240.13163.ff · 研究领域：Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals、Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity

Throughout their reproductive years, women are exposed to a variety of factors that can impact hormone signaling, reproductive organ function, and systemic metabolic regulation, such as industrial chemicals, heavy metals, air pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. Recent years have seen an acceleration in exposure to these factors, especially microplastics, which have been shown to be present in utero and beyond. This article is a FIGO opinion aimed to link a wide range of environmental drivers of maternal and child health with familiar health outcomes in women’s health. It focuses on chemicals and pollutants with the most evidence of exposure, but there are many factors that have no data surrounding their exposure and effects. Common mechanisms for environmental exposures include disrupting endocrine signaling, contributing to oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modifications. Certain chemicals can also contribute to the production of reactive oxygen species, which can cause cellular damage resulting in mutation or cell death; air pollutants in particular can induce oxidative stress and inflammation that can impair fertility. During the creation of this article, evidence was reviewed for environmental influences on infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menopause, and gynecologic cancer. More evidence for the role of environmental factors in fertility continues to emerge over time, showing that air pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, p...