The Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Women’s Reproductive Health

Abstract

Individuals are exposed to many environmental toxins daily in their home, workplace, community and farmland. Several studies have demonstrated that women in their physical, biological, social, cultural and technological interactions with the environment, are exposed to various harmful environmental contaminants which act as endocrine disrupters in their bodies. They tend to affect endocrine homeostasis and impair reproductive functions. When they gain access into the body , they interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism and other actions performed by the body’s natural hormones leading to hormonal disorders, reduced fertility, preterm delivery and  uterine cancer later in life.  Lifestyle modifications through health  education  programmes could help to minimize the level of exposure and risks to these environmental chemicals.

Key words:  Environment, Contaminants, Women, Reproductive health