Understanding how chemicals in personal care products affect women's fertility
Official title: Mapping the cosmetic chemical exposome and its role in female fertility
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11075338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in personal care products might affect women's fertility, especially their ovarian health, by testing samples from women to see how these chemicals could impact their ability to conceive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $122,941 |
| NIH project number | 5K99ES036289-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women experiencing infertility, particularly those who use personal care products regularly.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using personal care products or those not experiencing fertility issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of various chemicals found in personal care products on female fertility, particularly focusing on ovarian function. By analyzing blood and follicular fluid samples from women, the study aims to identify how exposure to thousands of chemicals may influence reproductive health. Utilizing advanced mass spectrometry and machine learning, the research will create a comprehensive database linking chemical exposure to fertility outcomes, which could help in understanding the disparities in reproductive health among different racial and ethnic groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for women facing infertility due to chemical exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that certain chemicals can negatively impact fertility, but this research aims to explore a broader range of exposures, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Anna Swift — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Young, Anna Swift
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.