REVIEW PAPER
Environmental exposure to selected non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review
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Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Department of Chemical Safety)
Online publication date: 2025-04-07
Corresponding author
Magdalena Ozga
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Chemical Safety, św. Teresy 8, 91–348 Łódź, Poland
HIGHLIGHTS
- Exposure to selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may contribute to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) development.
- Bisphenol A, phthalates, and octocrylene were associated with PCOS.
- No correlation between parabens and PCOS was found.
- There is an urgent need for further studies on the impact of EDCs and PCOS.
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ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder manifesting with symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism,
and/or polycystic ovaries. The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic predisposition,
insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and excessive androgen production. Various environmental factors, especially endocrine-disrupting
chemicals (EDCs), in addition to genetic and hormonal ones, also may influence PCOS. This is one of the first systematic reviews dealing
with the exposure to non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and PCOS. The review summarizes the existing knowledge about the
association of EDCs with PCOS based on significant findings on the toxicity of various non-persistent environmental EDCs and polycyclic ovarian
syndrome risk. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in order to identify proper studies using PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, and
Springer databases. The results of the studies suggest that there is a positive association between bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, octocrylene,
and PCOS. The data concerning triclosan and PCOS were inconclusive. Additionally, no link between the exposures to parabens and PCOS was
observed. These results of the presented studies highlight the urgent need for continued research on EDCs and their role in PCOS. Int J Occup
Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2)