title: Chemicals and menopause: effects on age at menopause and on health status in the postmenopausal period.
abstract: Menopause, a natural stage in women's lives, signals the cessation of fertility and causes changes in health status for many women. Chemical exposures may induce early or premature menopause and increase the risks of morbidity and mortality in the postmenopausal period. Chemicals that are toxic to follicles can lower the age of menopause by depleting the ovary of oocytes. Women may be exposed to these chemicals in the workplace, at home, and through exposure to contaminated drinking water near hazardous waste sites, as well as by direct or indirect exposure to cigarette smoke.
authors: Program in Human Health and the Environment, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
authors: E K
authors: EK
authors: Silbergeld
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Flaws
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008594:Menopause, Premature; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011379:Prognosis; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances