• New research found that heavy metal exposure may be linked to earlier menopause.
• Earlier menopause is characterized by quicker ovarian aging and a decline in ovarian egg reserve.
• Experts recommend reducing exposure to heavy metals found in certain foods, beverages, and substances.

Heavy metal exposure may be linked to earlier menopause in middle-aged women, a new study finds.

The new research, published earlier this year in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that women with higher levels of heavy metals in their urine were likely to have hormone levels that indicate diminished ovarian reserve.

“This is the first study to show that widespread heavy metals, especially cadmium, arsenic, and mercury, are linked with lower levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and quicker declines in AMH in middle-aged women during this phase of the lifespan,” said study author Sung Kyun Park, ScD, MPH, associate professor in the department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

AMH is a marker of ovarian reserve—an estimate of the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries.

“A progressive decrease in the ovarian reserve indicates ovarian aging,” he told Health.  

Here’s why heavy metals can impact AMH levels and ovarian aging, as well as how to find your ovarian age and which specific heavy metals to watch out for.

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Heavy Metal Exposure and Ovarian Aging

According to Park, heavy metals can affect ovarian aging in several ways, including disrupting hormone homeostasis and leading to endocrine imbalance.

Heavy metals are considered endocrine disruptors or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

EDCs are substances that can mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormone and endocrine system, impacting various aspects of health, including fertility, Lisa Becht, MD, FACOG, a reproductive endocrinologist, told Health.

“They can be naturally occurring (e.g. phytoestrogens in soy and oats) or are more often synthetic chemicals such as BPA, PCBs, and phthalates in plastics, packaging, pesticides, and other sources,” she said.

Becht explained that the theory is that EDCs can lead to more oxidative stress and free radicals that decrease ovarian follicles and decrease Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) production.

All of this can lead to ovarian aging.

Additionally, women who are close to menopause are more sensitive to free radical exposure because they have very few eggs remaining in the ovaries, said Mark Surrey, MD, FACOG, FACS, a fertility specialist and co-founder of Southern California Reproductive Center.

Other Factors Contributing to Early Menopause

Certain factors, aside from heavy metal exposure, can contribute to or induce earlier menopause. These factors include genetics, smoking cigarettes and second-hand smoke, and medical interventions such as chemotherapy for cancer treatment or surgical removal of both ovaries.

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Checking Your Ovarian Reserve

If a woman wants to know more about their ovarian reserve or remaining egg count, Becht recommends a simple blood test to check AMH levels.

“If she is on any type of hormones, such as birth control, the result may look less than it truly is, so she should get this done with an OBGYN or a fertility doctor to have an appropriate interpretation of her result,” she said.

An antral follicle count (AFC) or ultrasound to count the follicles that house the eggs can also be done for another value in interpreting ovarian reserve, Becht added.

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Sources of Heavy Metal Exposure to Watch For

There are still a lot of unknowns about heavy metal exposure, including how much is safe. So it’s best to avoid exposure as much as possible.

According to Park, major sources of toxic heavy metals include cigarette smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke and consuming contaminated foods such as animal organ meats and root and leafy vegetables.

He explained that two major sources of arsenic exposure are drinking water and rice.

A major source of mercury is predatory fish. The older and larger the fish, the greater the potential for high levels of mercury. This is because when predatory fish consume smaller varieties, they accumulate methylmercury in their tissues.

E-cigarettes or vapes have also been shown to contribute to heavy metal exposure in users.

“Specific things such as cigarette smoke (has cadmium), rice (can have traces of arsenic), lead paint, and fish with high mercury (e.g., mackerel, tilefish, swordfish) can be avoided,” Becht told Health.
“Still, many other exposures with low concentrations are unfortunately unavoidable.”

She added that other sources of exposure include pollution, industrial sources, and environmental factors.

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Reducing Exposure to Heavy Metals

There are steps to take to reduce exposure and protect against the effects of heavy metals.

“Individual women may reduce exposure by avoiding foods contaminated with toxic metals and limiting the use of the known sources of metals,” said Park.

In addition to avoiding the known exposures previously mentioned, Becht recommends the following:

• Make wise dietary choices like avoiding processed foods and eating organic food
• Use a water filter
• Avoid the use of toxic substances (e.g., cigarettes and vapes)
• Dispose of hazardous wastes (e.g., batteries) appropriately

It’s important to make these changes as soon as possible, to reap the benefits for your overall well-being as well as your ovarian health.

“Women of all ages should avoid exposure to heavy metals and make sure their diets are rich in antioxidants,” said Surrey.

In addition to avoiding exposure and lifestyle changes, women can also prioritize boosting antioxidant levels for the sake of their ovarian reserve.

Studies have shown specific antioxidants including resveratrol, quercetin, and curcumin may be particularly beneficial in protecting against oxidative stress and slowing ovarian aging.

“It is unclear if heavy metal exposure at a younger age would have the same impact on the ovaries, but we do know that antioxidants, which help the body to combat free radicals, are beneficial for women who are trying to conceive,” Surrey told Health. “Antioxidants can be found in berries, green tea, and supplements such as CoQ10.”

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