Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41763333›Full record

ArticleReproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)2026

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and menstrual cycle characteristics in midlife women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Siobán D Harlow, Michelle M Hood, Rachael Brooks, Antonia M Calafat, John F Randolph, Ellen B Gold, Sung Kyun Park

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Siobán D HarlowDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Michelle M HoodDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Rachael BrooksDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Antonia M CalafatDivision of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
John F RandolphDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Ellen B GoldDepartment of Public Health Sciences, University of California, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
Sung Kyun ParkDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States. Electronic address: sungkyun@umich.edu.

Funding

The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN): The Impact of Midlife and the Menopause Transition on Health and Functioning in Early Old AgeU19AG063720 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI SHERRI-ANN M BURNETT-BOWIE · 2020 to 2026
$61.3M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--COORDINATING CENTERU01AG012553 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI BROOKS, MARIA MORI · 1994 to 2019
$37.7M
SWAN Repository IVU01AG017719 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI HARLOW, SIOBAN D · 2000 to 2020
$25.0M
Strategic Vision & Impact on Environmental HealthP30ES017885 · NIEHS · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI Dana Dolinoy · 2011 to 2026
$21.3M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--ENDOCRINE LABU01AG012495 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI MCCONNELL, DANIEL S · 1994 to 2018
$18.8M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--PITTSBURGHU01AG012546 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI MATTHEWS, KAREN · 1994 to 2019
$16.2M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--UCDAVISU01AG012554 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS · PI GOLD, ELLEN B. · 1994 to 2019
$14.5M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--UCLAU01AG012539 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · PI GREENDALE, GAIL A · 1994 to 2018
$13.7M
THE STUDY OF WOMEN'S HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION-MICHIGANU01NR004061 · NINR · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI HARLOW, SIOBAN D · 1994 to 2018
$12.9M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--CHICAGOU01AG012505 · NIA · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · PI KRAVITZ, HOWARD M · 1994 to 2019
$11.9M
WOMENS HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION--MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HU01AG012531 · NIA · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI FINKELSTEIN, JOEL S · 1994 to 2019
$10.7M
Women's Health Across the Nation-New Jersey SiteU01AG012535 · NIA · UNIV OF MED/DENT OF NJ-NJ MEDICAL SCHOOL · PI DERBY, CAROL A. · 1994 to 2019
$9.2M
NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012495NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012505NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012531NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012535NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012539NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012546NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012553NIA NIH HHS U01 AG012554NIA NIH HHS U01 AG017719NIA NIH HHS U19 AG063720NIEHS NIH HHS P30 ES017885NIEHS NIH HHS R01 ES026578NIEHS NIH HHS R01 ES026964NIEHS NIH HHS R01 ES035087NIH U01 AG012495NIH U01 AG012535NIH HHS U01 AG012554NIH HHS U01 AG12539NINR NIH HHS U01 NR004061NIOSH CDC HHS T42 OH008455
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveEvidence suggests exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), may disrupt ovarian function and influence menstrual bleeding. PFAS have been associated with reproductive aging; however, longitudinal data on PFAS and menstrual cycle characteristics (cycle length, bleeding patterns) are limited.

methodsWe examined 952 women aged 45-55 years from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, with seven PFAS concentrations measured in serum collected in 1999-2000. Menstrual cycle data were collected prospectively using monthly calendars for two years following PFAS measurement. Menstrual cycle length (MCL) was evaluated using linear quantile mixed models at the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. Bleed length and binary bleeding outcomes (long and heavy) were analyzed using linear and generalized linear mixed models. Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, education, physical activity, menopause status, smoking status, body mass index, and baseline menstrual characteristics.

resultsHigher perfluorooctane sulfonic acid concentrations were associated with shorter short cycles (MCL at the 25th percentile) (-0.52 days; 95% CI, -1.09-0.05) and longer long cycles (MCL at the 90th percentile) (2.77 days; 95% CI, 1.96-3.58). Perfluorononanoic acid was associated with longer short cycles (0.56 days; 95% CI, 0.06-1.05). No PFAS was associated with median MCL. Most PFAS, except 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid, were associated with shorter menses and lower odds of long or heavy bleeding.

conclusionPFAS exposure may be associated with increased menstrual cycle variability and reduced bleeding. Further research in younger cohorts is needed.

Indexed as

Endocrine DisruptorsEnvironmental PollutantsFluorocarbonsMenstrual CycleAlkanesulfonic AcidsFemaleHumansMiddle AgedWomen's HealthAlkanesulfonic AcidsEndocrine DisruptorsEnvironmental PollutantsFluorocarbonsMenstrual bleed lengthMenstrual cycleMenstrual cycle lengthMidlife womenPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Identifiers

PMID41763333
PMCPMC13229287

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.