The influence of environmental factors on premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian aging.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic and observational literature without systematic review methodology.
PubMed 37925867 · doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107871
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature examining the influence of environmental exposures—including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (such as bisphenol A and phthalates), socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle choices (obesity, stress, smoking, alcohol)—as well as epigenetic mechanisms on premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian aging.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative outcome data or pooled effect sizes. It notes the baseline prevalence that premature ovarian insufficiency affects approximately 1 in 100 women by age 40. The review describes qualitative mechanistic links showing that endocrine-disrupting chemicals disrupt hormone signaling pathways, which impairs ovarian reserve, oocyte quality, and folliculogenesis.
Why it matters
Identifying modifiable environmental and lifestyle contributors to ovarian aging helps inform preventive public health guidance and clinical strategies to protect reproductive lifespan.
Limits
The paper is a non-systematic narrative review lacking structured search methodology, study quality grading, or meta-analytic risk estimates. No new clinical or experimental data are presented.
Cited by
- supports Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are associated with an increased risk of premature ovarian insufficiency.