Phthalates, pregnancy loss, and gestational diabetes

Harvard.edu | 11-8-2016

New studies related to phthalates in plastics and women’s fertility have shown that those with the highest concentrations of the phthalate DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl)) were 60% more likely to lose a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks than those with the lowest concentrations. A second study focused on phthalates found in cosmetic products. This study found that women who are pregnant with the phthalate MEP (monoethyl phthalate) had twice the risk of excessive weight gain during pregnancy than those with the lowest concentration. Following this, those with high mid-pregnancy concentrations of MEP had 7-fold higher odds of developing higher-than-normal blood glucose levels than those with the lowest concentration. Ultimately these chemicals, specifically DEHP and MEP are debilitating women's reproductive health during pregnancy and setting these women and families up for complications with the pregnancy. Reducing the exposure to phthalates through decreased consumption of processed and packaged foods along with avoiding buying cosmetic and household products with phthalates (non-PVC and fragrance free products) can aid in healing women’s reproductive health.