Scientists at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recently found that women the had high levels of an endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemical, phthalate, had a low sex drive. Barrett, the researcher, believes that certain phthalates may lead to decreased sex drive in women. Women that had high levels of a certain phthalate metabolite in their urine had a 2 and 1/2 times lower sex drive than women with low levels of this same phthalate in their urine.

Researchers tested phthalate metabolite concentrations in pregnant women in 4 different cities in America. They also assessed their sex drive or libido through questionaries that focused on sexual problems that they had in the months leading up to conception.

Age, number of children, education, race, stress, and antidepressant drugs were all taken into account.

46 women out of 360 women stated they had a lack of sex drive or libido for months right up to conception. 37 women reported vaginal dryness.

The study showed that women in highest quartile of mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexly phthalate (MEHHP) were 2.58 (two and one half times) times more likely to report low libido or low sexual interest.

Also, the study showed that women in highest quartile of mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexly phthalate (MEOHP) were 2.56 (two and one half times) times more likely to report low libido or low sexual interest.

Vaginal dryness was unrelated to phthalates, it seemed.

Rebecca Z. Sokol, MD, MPH, president of ASRM, agreed with this study. She believes that we should all avoid phthalates to preserve human health and our reproductive potential. She believes that we need to protect ourselves from endocrine disrupting chemicals and find alternatives.

References

1. Barrett ES et al. Abstract P-321. Presented at: American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 2014 Annual Meeting; Oct. 18-22, 2014; Honolulu.