Pollution is bad. We know this. But do we really know why it’s so bad?
OK, we know some things.
We know pollution is bad for the planet; that it’s contributing to the warming of the Earth’s surface and the melting of the ice caps. We also know it’s bad for our lungs and can cause respiratory illnesses. We know it’s even bad for our skin, clogging our pores and causing dullness and breakouts.
But what else are air pollutants doing to our bodies?
Well, pollution could be wreaking utter havoc on our hormones and reproductive systems. Not good news, particularly if you happen to live in a city that has been fondly nicknamed The Big Smoke.
A new report has found that air pollution can raise the risk of a miscarriage by more than 50 per cent. The study of more than a quarter of a million pregnant women, found that living on a busy road was more dangerous to the health of their baby than smoking.
It’s worrying, and it doesn’t only impact expectant mothers. We all have hormones, and for all of us, they play a vital role in keeping us healthy.
The widespread lack of awareness about the effects of pollution on hormones and reproduction is definitely concerning.
How does pollution impact our hormones?
‘In our bodies, we have hormone receptors on almost every kind of tissue you can imagine,’ explains Dr Shruthi Mahalingaiah, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.
‘There are oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors on many cells in the body, particularly on hormone responsive tissues such as breast tissue, bone tissues or reproductive tissues.
‘Historically, it has been shown that some types of pollutants can actually bind to hormone receptors. If there are other chemicals in our environment that can cross react or bind to hormone receptors, this can cause problems as your body ends up receiving the wrong signals.’
Shruthi says that the most important thing to consider is that everything is interconnected when it comes to hormone systems and signalling. Our reproductive function is intricately linked to what we are exposed to, including pollutants.
‘What has been most surprising to me is realising how penetrable our reproductive systems actually are,’ says Shruthi.
‘I really thought that the uterus and fallopian tubes were this kind of pristine, maternal environment. And the research over time has shown that it’s really not protected. It’s not a black box.
‘Things that we inhale, for example, aerosolized heavy metals, metabolites of tobacco smoking like cotinine or nicotine… Some of these persistent organic pollutants are found in the fluid surrounding a developing egg.’
In fact, a study earlier this month found carbon particles from pollution inside the placentas of pregnant women.
Additionally, Shruthi and her team looked at air pollution exposure in the high school age range and risk of menstrual irregularity later on in life.
‘We found that increased exposure to the whole amount of particles in the air we breathe does seem to influence risk for menstrual irregularity later on in life,’ she says.
‘With that same cohort of women, we did find an increased risk of infertility, if you live closer to a major roadway. There was a 10 per cent compared to those living farther away (greater than 200 meters).’
The effects of pollution on our hormones
The studies show that increased exposure to pollution can cause:
- An increased risk of infertility
- A higher likelihood of irregular periods
- One study found that it can raise the risk of a miscarriage by more than 50 per cent
- Confused hormonal signals being sent around the body
Shruthi does say that there are many important considerations when doing this type of research, and that further research is needed to know whether the findings can be replicated.
‘The menstrual cycle hasn’t been previously evaluated in a lot of large-scale research. I’m really excited to inspire people to use it as a marker of health and to incorporate it into research studies in the future.’
What can we do to protect ourselves from pollution?
If you live in a big city your options for avoiding air pollution are limited. We still have to go outside and breathe the air, no matter how gross and smoggy it gets.
But Shruthi says that your risk is dependent on where you are in the world.
‘It depends on what kind of governmental structures are in place to reduce emissions or enhance water quality,’ she explains. ‘This means that someone coming from a country that’s historically tried to optimize air and water quality would receive a very different kind of recommendation from me than someone who might be using wood burning fuel in their home.’
Thankfully there are some strategies you can use to minimise your exposure.
‘Try to avoid jogging during rush hour on a major roadway,’ suggests Shruthi.
‘Make sure your ventilation system in your home is appropriately maintained.
‘If you feel like you’ve been experiencing menstrual irregularity you should see your doctor to get a full assessment including a history, a physical hormonal assessment and recommendations.’
Which pollutants should we aim to avoid?
Some nasty pollutants are easier to avoid than others, but Shruthi has some words of warning about the worst culprits. She says she does her best to avoid air pollutants and pesticides.
‘My main concern is limiting exposure to dietary related chemicals,’ she says. ‘I try to buy organic foods and milk and reduce the chemical burden from what I eat. Also, when I’m driving and get stalled in traffic, turning on internal circulation only, instead of getting exhaust fumes pumped right into the car, is something that’s important to me.’
A really interesting point that Shruthi makes is about the possibly damaging effects that beauty products can have on our hormones and reproduction – particularly anti-ageing products.
‘A lot of the products that are on the market promote youthfulness or age defying qualities,’ says Shruthi. ‘Some of those actually can bind to oestrogen receptors to give that oestrogen-dominant look.
‘It’s almost like trying to recreate this very hyped-up hormonal state.
‘So that’s one of the things I’m interested in learning more about, especially as cosmetics and personal care products are generally unregulated.’
Shruthi says that since beginning her research in this area she has really started to reduce her cosmetic purchases.
‘It means redefining what you think of as beautiful and really considering what you need to put on your face and body.’
What are the next steps?
Women have been having menstrual cycles since the origin of the human species – but people are still scared to talk about it. (Hands up if you still hide your tampons up your sleeve when you go to the bathroom at work so as not to terrify the men…)
Stigma and taboo prevents hormonal and menstrual health from being discussed more widely, and Shruthi thinks that really needs to change.
‘Work still needs to be done,’ she says. ‘It’s important to raise the awareness that this is a really key function and shouldn’t be hidden or shamed.’
She says there’s also a growing awareness that the menstrual cycle is a marker of whole body health, but progress is slow.
‘It has been unfortunately understudied and part of that is due to a lack of recognition when it comes to the importance of the menstrual cycle as a key part of the physiology of the body,’ says Shruthi.
‘My main goal is to increase awareness about this as we’re introducing new chemicals and technologies into the environment that may not traditionally be included in some of our ingestion or air – like nanotechnology, or fibres that biodegrade.
‘How does this affect the whole ecosystem? What happens if these things get concentrated in our water supply? I’d like to have awareness about women’s reproductive health in the menstrual cycle included in those discussions, as we decide how to handle these chemicals.’
The intricate link between hormones and pollution is just one of the topics that are going to be covered in depth by a new podcast, Hormonal, created by female health app Clue.
The weekly podcast, hosted by author Rhea Ramjohn, will explore the different ways in which hormones impact our lives and psyches.
Other topics will include the effects of hormones on your skin and how sexism affects your PMS symptoms.
‘Every single person on the planet is affected by hormones, yet relatively few of us know how they work and how they affect our perception of the world around us,’ says Ida Tin, Clue CEO.
‘With our podcast, we aim to share some of the knowledge we’ve accumulated through our scientific partnerships and showcase some of the leading experts within the field of endocrinology and female health.’
Source: Read Full Article
