PESTICIDES AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Pesticides and Reproductive Health 

Most people are unaware of the countless health problems that can be caused by pesticide exposure. Particularly, many menstruators don’t realize the impacts that pesticide usage has on their hormones/endocrine systems. At least 50 pesticides have been identified as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals enter the bloodstream and then do one of three things:

1. Replicate a hormone, wrongly triggering the body to do an action connected to that hormone

2. Block receptors so body hormones can’t function as they are meant to

3. Affect the production and movement of hormones, which throws off the natural balance of hormones 

All three of these actions can cause health problems for menstruators. Exposure to pesticides has countless health issues; studies have shown that it is linked to fertility issues including low sperm effectiveness, chronic hormonal diseases like endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and cancer. 

Pesticides in our menstrual products 

So, besides the food we eat and the grass we sit on, how do pesticides get into our bodies? Crops, like cotton, are sprayed with toxic synthetic pesticides and then used to make products, like menstrual products, that come in contact with sensitive areas of our bodies. Despite being only 2.4% of cultivated land, cotton farms use 16% of the world’s insecticides. These pesticides remain in the cotton when it is manufactured into menstrual products. Vaginal and vulvar areas are particularly permeable and can allow chemicals to enter the bloodstream without being broken down. Because many pesticides contain these endocrine disrupting chemicals, the people who use these products are at risk of exposure-related health issues. One study found that just about 50% of pads, 22% of tampons, and 65% of period underwear had PFAs in them. PFA’s or ‘forever chemicals’ are per and polyfluoroalkyl substances that can cause various health issues including endocrine disruption. This is not necessarily shocking when over 1400 pesticides were found to have at least one of 55 PFAs. A major cause for concern is that these products aren’t strictly regulated despite the risk that consumers face when using them. 

Fertility Issues

Pesticide exposure has been linked to countless reproductive issues. This includes decreased fertility, spontaneous miscarriages, stillbirths, low birth weight, premature births, and developmental abnormalities. Studies have shown that increased exposure to pesticides decreases the likelihood of both conception and a healthy pregnancy/birth. Additionally, if someone’s exposure to pesticides leads to endometriosis or PCOS they will face reproductive issues that are more likely due to these endocrine disorders including ectopic pregnancies. A Harvard study found that people who ate more high-pesticide produce were 18% less likely to become pregnant and 26% less likely to have a live birth than people who ate one serving of the produce or less. Recent research has revealed a link between pesticide exposure and issues with sperm efficacy. The researchers found that certain chemicals in pesticides are intended to impact the reproduction of pests but have made their way into humans and are impacting not just sperm count but also the DNA of the sperm itself. 

Endometriosis and PCOS

Endometriosis is a chronic disease where the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus begins to grow outside of the uterus and attach to other organs in the body. This condition can vary in intensity but for many causes debilitating pain, painful periods, and infertility. Endometriosis is heavily influenced by estrogen in the body. Because of this, researchers began to investigate pesticides that have similar properties to the hormone. When researchers looked further into this they found that two pesticides- beta-hexachlorocyclohexane and mirex, led to a 30- to 70-percent increase in endometriosis risk in those exposed, further correlating endometriosis risk and pesticide exposure.

PCOS is another chronic condition that up to 5 million people face. Unlike endometriosis, there is less understanding of the cause of PCOS. Due to this and a lack of research, it is hard to say if there is a direct relation between pesticide exposure and PCOS, but new evidence has shown that those with PCOS show higher amounts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A) and phthalates which are commonly found in pesticides. More research on this topic needs to be done, but the early research shows that pesticides, and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals they contain, like dioxins, PFAs, phthalates, etc. lead to an increased risk of endocrine disorders.

Cancer 

Pesticides have been linked to causing cancers for a very long time. Despite that, these chemicals are still allowed around young people while their bodies are still developing, being used in most gardens, schools, and sports fields. The exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and chemicals that cause mutations during puberty has been linked with ovarian cancer. Pesticides have also been linked to breast cancer by mimicking oestrogen in the body and triggering cancer. A different study found that parental exposure before a child is even conceived leads to a higher risk of a child having cancer. 

What Can You Do

A great option would be to get organic, non-bleached, unscented period products. Mamavation has done extensive research and compiled lists of pads, tampons, and period underwear that they have found to be safe options. These products decrease your exposure to pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Further, using products like menstrual cups that have no cotton in them decreases your chance of pesticide exposure. 

Reaching out to companies that use chemicals that can cause reproductive issues and letting them know that you will not be buying their product for that reason holds them accountable for their disregard for consumer health. Further, buying organic produce and food/clothing products will prevent you from eating pesticide residues or putting them on your skin. This limits your exposure and also supports farmers and businesses that value consumer health.