Organochlorine Exposure in Relation to Timing of Natural Menopause
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Women's Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Reproductive |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | Any |
| Updated: | 4/6/2019 |
| Start Date: | March 1, 2003 |
This study will examine whether exposure to organochlorines (certain chemicals such as PCBs
and DDE, used in pesticides or other industrial applications) is related to age at natural
menopause. It is known, for example, that smokers experience menopause 1 to 2 years earlier
than do non-smokers. This study will look for a similar association between organochlorine
exposure and menopause. It will also look for possible associations between specific factors,
such as pregnancy history and weight change, and changes over time in blood organochlorine
levels.
Women who participated in the North Carolina Infant Feeding Study between 1978 and 1982 are
eligible for this study. Participants will be interviewed over the phone for information
about their reproductive and menstrual history, as well as additional information that may be
related to age and menopausal status. Specifically, the interview will cover the following
areas: 1) pregnancy and breastfeeding history; 2) menstrual periods and menopause; 3) use of
birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy; 4) surgeries on the uterus or ovaries,
such as hysterectomy or oophorectomy, or both; 5) smoking and alcoholic beverage consumption;
6) physical activity; 7) weight history; and 8) medical history. About one-half of the
participants will have a blood sample drawn for analysis of the reproductive hormones FSH
(follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (leuteinizing hormone) and of DDE and PCB levels.
and DDE, used in pesticides or other industrial applications) is related to age at natural
menopause. It is known, for example, that smokers experience menopause 1 to 2 years earlier
than do non-smokers. This study will look for a similar association between organochlorine
exposure and menopause. It will also look for possible associations between specific factors,
such as pregnancy history and weight change, and changes over time in blood organochlorine
levels.
Women who participated in the North Carolina Infant Feeding Study between 1978 and 1982 are
eligible for this study. Participants will be interviewed over the phone for information
about their reproductive and menstrual history, as well as additional information that may be
related to age and menopausal status. Specifically, the interview will cover the following
areas: 1) pregnancy and breastfeeding history; 2) menstrual periods and menopause; 3) use of
birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy; 4) surgeries on the uterus or ovaries,
such as hysterectomy or oophorectomy, or both; 5) smoking and alcoholic beverage consumption;
6) physical activity; 7) weight history; and 8) medical history. About one-half of the
participants will have a blood sample drawn for analysis of the reproductive hormones FSH
(follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (leuteinizing hormone) and of DDE and PCB levels.
Smoking has been shown in many studies to be associated with a 1-2 year decrease in age at
natural menopause. However, relatively little is known about the effect of other potential
toxicants, including organochlorines such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 1, 1
dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p -DDE, referred to subsequently as DDE). We
will assess timing of menopause among women who participated in the North Carolina Infant
Feeding Study (total n = 865). Recruitment for this study was conducted between 1978 and
1982. PCB and DDE levels were analyzed in blood and breast milk samples around delivery and
after pregnancy. The median age of the women as of March, 2002, is 50 years. Data will be
collected in a telephone interview focusing on reproductive and menstrual history with
additional information collected on demographic, social and behavioral factors that could
affect timing of menopause. A blood sample will be collected from approximately 50% of
participants based on sampling strata that involve criteria relating to age and menopausal
status. Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone will be measured in these
samples in order to classify menopausal status of women who had undergone hysterectomy with
retention of at least one ovary, women who are currently using hormone replacement therapy
whose use began while still having periods, and women who report very short, very long, or
irregular menstrual cycle lengths during the past 12 months. PCB and DDE levels will also be
determined in these samples, allowing us to assess the correlation between current and
baseline (1978-1982) PCB and DDE measures. The purpose of this study is to assess the
association between the baseline organochlorine measurements and timing of natural menopause.
A secondary aim will be to conduct exploratory analyses of the association between specific
factors (e.g., pregnancy history, weight change) and rate of change in organochlorine levels.
natural menopause. However, relatively little is known about the effect of other potential
toxicants, including organochlorines such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 1, 1
dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p -DDE, referred to subsequently as DDE). We
will assess timing of menopause among women who participated in the North Carolina Infant
Feeding Study (total n = 865). Recruitment for this study was conducted between 1978 and
1982. PCB and DDE levels were analyzed in blood and breast milk samples around delivery and
after pregnancy. The median age of the women as of March, 2002, is 50 years. Data will be
collected in a telephone interview focusing on reproductive and menstrual history with
additional information collected on demographic, social and behavioral factors that could
affect timing of menopause. A blood sample will be collected from approximately 50% of
participants based on sampling strata that involve criteria relating to age and menopausal
status. Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone will be measured in these
samples in order to classify menopausal status of women who had undergone hysterectomy with
retention of at least one ovary, women who are currently using hormone replacement therapy
whose use began while still having periods, and women who report very short, very long, or
irregular menstrual cycle lengths during the past 12 months. PCB and DDE levels will also be
determined in these samples, allowing us to assess the correlation between current and
baseline (1978-1982) PCB and DDE measures. The purpose of this study is to assess the
association between the baseline organochlorine measurements and timing of natural menopause.
A secondary aim will be to conduct exploratory analyses of the association between specific
factors (e.g., pregnancy history, weight change) and rate of change in organochlorine levels.
- INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
There will be no exclusions based on age, ethnicity or race/ethnicity. Participants who are
unable to complete a telephone interview because of chronic illness (including cognitive
impairment) or language or hearing difficulties will not be eligible.
There are 8 women in the cohort whose study children are known to have died. We will
exclude these women from this follow-up study.
This leaves 857 women that are eligible for tracing the follow-up interview.
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