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Identification and Characterization of Microplastics in Human Cervicovaginal Lavage Fluids Using Raman Spectroscopy: A Preliminary Study
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In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers detected microplastic particles in the cervicovaginal fluid of all 10 women tested, with polypropylene and polystyrene being the most common types. One participant who regularly used a menstrual cup had significantly more microplastic particles than others. The findings confirm that the female reproductive tract is exposed to microplastics, raising questions about potential effects on reproductive health.
Microplastics have been detected in various human organs, and studies on their impact on human health are ongoing. However, few studies have researched microplastics in the cervicovaginal area. In this study, we aimed to assess their presence in human cervicovaginal lavage fluid. This prospective study was conducted at a single tertiary medical center, enrolling 10 participants aged 27-49 years. Human cervicovaginal lavage fluid samples were collected from the patients by a single skilled obstetrician. Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze and characterize microplastic particles detected in the samples. Ninety-one microplastic particles were detected in 10 samples. More than 50% of the microplastic particles were identified in a single patient who regularly used menstrual cups. The mean number of microplastics was 9.10 ± 14.96 per 10 g sample. Most of the microplastics were <50 μm in size, and polypropylene and polystyrene were the most predominant types. Raman analysis detected microplastic particles in human cervicovaginal lavage fluids, suggesting that the human cervicovaginal area is exposed to microplastics. The number of detected particles varied significantly among individuals. This study highlights the need for further research on the effects of microplastics on the female reproductive system using cervicovaginal lavage fluid.
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