{"id":38242,"date":"2025-04-17T00:01:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T04:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=38242"},"modified":"2025-07-24T14:33:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T18:33:00","slug":"findings-show-endocrine-disrupting-glyphosate-weed-killer-threatens-womens-reproductive-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/04\/findings-show-endocrine-disrupting-glyphosate-weed-killer-threatens-womens-reproductive-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Findings Show Endocrine-Disrupting Glyphosate Weed Killer Threatens Women\u2019s Reproductive Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

(<\/span>Beyond Pesticides<\/span><\/i>, April 17, 2025) A literature review in <\/span>Reproductive Sciences<\/span><\/i><\/a> finds glyphosate (GLY) and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) impact women\u2019s <\/span>reproductive health<\/span><\/a>, adding to the long list of <\/span>documented harm<\/span><\/a> from this widely used weed killer. The authors note, \u201c<\/span>Considering the widespread use of GLY, the controversy regarding its endocrine-disrupting potential and reproductive toxicity, and the innumerable lawsuits filed against Bayer and Monsanto by consumers for morbidities related to Roundup™ exposure, the purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on the potential adverse effects of GLY and GBHs on the female reproductive tract and discuss possible clinical implications on reproductive health outcomes, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and female fertility.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (<\/span>AMPA<\/span><\/a>), the primary <\/span>metabolite<\/span><\/a> (breakdown product) of GLY, are found throughout the environment in soil and water, as well as in samples of <\/span>blood<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>urine<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>seminal plasma<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>breast milk<\/span><\/a>. Studies have detected residues in <\/span>farmworkers<\/span><\/a>, as well as “in the urine of 60\u201380% of the general public in the USA, including pregnant women and children.\u201d (See studies <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.) The ubiquitous use of GLY and GBH, and subsequent persistence, threatens the health and well-being of all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Previous studies<\/span><\/a> have found a wide range of health and environmental effects with GLY exposure, ranging from <\/span>cancer<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>neurotoxicity<\/span><\/a> to leaching in <\/span>groundwater<\/span><\/a> and threats to <\/span>pollinators<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>aquatic organisms<\/span><\/a>, despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reaffirming that glyphosate meets regulatory standards. As the researchers state, \u201cSeveral studies have demonstrated the harmful effects of GLY and GBHs on the male reproductive system and fertility.\u201d [See studies <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They continue: \u201cHowever, a comprehensive review of the data on the effects of GLY on the female reproductive system and reproductive health outcomes is lacking… The continued debate regarding the effects of GLY exposure makes establishing the impacts of GBH on female reproductive health, the consequences on human fertility, and the epigenetic effects a pressing public health issue.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through a review of over 80 current studies in scientific literature, the authors find associations between GLY and adverse impacts on the <\/span>female reproductive system through \u201cincreased oxidative stress, endocrine disruption of reproductive hormones, histological changes in ovarian and uterine tissue, and diminished ovarian function in human cell lines and animals.\u201d They continue by saying that this \u201cgrowing evidence suggests GLY and GBH possess cytotoxic, genotoxic, and <\/span>endocrine-disrupting effects<\/span><\/a>, potentially impacting human health and reproductive function.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oxidative Stress and Epigenetics<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cytotoxicity refers to the ability of a substance to cause damage to cells. GLY\u2019s cytotoxic effects are \u201cprimarily mediated by a heightened state of <\/span>oxidative stress<\/span><\/a> arising from an imbalance [of] reactive oxygen species (ROS).\u201d The increasing levels of ROS, which are highly reactive molecules that are harmful in elevated concentrations, can cause cellular, protein, and <\/span>DNA damage<\/span><\/a>. Increased ROS production is a key oxidative stress mechanism that studies (see below) link to GLY and GBH exposure. This can, in turn, “induce <\/span>endocrine disruption<\/span><\/a>, neurotoxicity, cell death, metabolic alterations, and potential epigenetic alterations.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As summarized by the researchers, \u201c<\/span>Epigenetics<\/span><\/a> refers to heritable changes in gene expression that occur without changing the DNA sequence.\u201d Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, are linked to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) such as GLY. (See studies <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.) \u201cThese epigenetic modifications may influence the expression of genes involved in female reproduction and development, which can promote the transgenerational inheritance of disease,\u201d the authors state. These impacts highlight the threats to future generations even long after exposure has ended.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Important study results include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n