---
title: Air Pollution and Menopause Symptoms
date: 2026-05-01T10:11:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/air-pollution-menopause-symptoms"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Air Pollution and Menopause Symptoms

Air pollution can worsen menopause symptoms. That is the finding of a study by researchers at the University of Michigan, published in the academic journal "Science of Total Environment."

In menopause, levels of the hormone estrogen decrease. The study measured sex hormones in 1,365 women before, during, and after the menopause transition. Researchers identified two specific air pollutants, nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, that make estrogen decline faster. Air pollution might lead to menopause happening at earlier ages as well.

The study highlights the need to further explore the relationship between pollution and menopause. Decreased estrogen, a feature of menopause, has links to cardiovascular disease, bone health problems, and Alzheimer’s disease. By causing a faster decline in estrogen, air pollution might increase the risks of developing those health conditions too. By the same token, managing exposure to air pollution may help us to manage menopause symptoms.

> Menopause is an important predictor of future chronic disease... The management of menopause is really important to the woman’s health later in life. If air pollution plays a role, we need to take care of that.

[Read the full article ](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/01052024/air-pollution-menopause-symptoms/)

SOURCE: Inside Climate News • AUTHOR: Gina Jiménez • LAST UPDATED: May 1, 2024

![An older woman stands in a circle of smoke in a city](data:image/png;base64,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) Joel bubble ben/Adobe Stock

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ menopause & perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menopause-perimenopause)
- [ signs & symptoms of perimenopause & menopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/signs-symptoms-perimenopause-menopause)
- [perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/perimenopause)
- [estrogen](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/estrogen)
- [environmental health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/environmental-health)
- [public policy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/public-policy)
- [activism](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/activism)
- [menopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/menopause)

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We have the right to form and raise families in safe, healthy environments that are free of toxic chemicals. This fact sheet from “In Our Own Voice” shows how reproductive justice and environmental justice intersect.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/black-women-reproductive-justice-and-environmental-justice)

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This fact sheet by UN Women explains the connections between violence against women and girls (VAWG) and climate change.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/climate-change-and-violence-against-women-and-girls)

[ResourcesRead

## We Need Legal Menopause Protections

U.S. law, government, and employers offer few accommodations for menopause symptoms in the workplace.

![A woman sitting at a desk fanning herself](data:image/png;base64,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)

U.S. law, government, and employers offer few accommodations for menopause symptoms in the workplace.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/legal-menopause-protections)

[ResourcesRead

## Period Products and Climate Change

Scholars based in France and the US have completed a comparative study that measures how climate-friendly different menstrual products are.

![A pink background with white period products and pink flowers](data:image/png;base64,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)

Scholars based in France and the US have completed a comparative study that measures how climate-friendly different menstrual products are.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/period-products-and-climate-change)

[ResourcesRead

## A National Paid Leave Program Would Help Workers, Families

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities examines the benefits that would result from a national paid parental leave program.

![22 A National Paid Leave Program Would Help Workers Families 22 scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities examines the benefits that would result from a national paid parental leave program.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-national-paid-leave-program-would-help-workers-families)