28.05.25

Subject: MIT Publish New Research, Linking Rise in Air Pollution to Menstrual Cycle Health | Largest Women’s Health Study of its Kind

Hi Claudia,

A landmark new study (attached) from MIT’s Senseable City Lab, the University of Colorado Denver, and the Clue app has found a clear link between air pollution and menstrual irregularities.

Published in The Lancet, the study analysed 2.2 million menstrual cycles from Clue users in 230 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. 

The results show that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is tied to more frequent irregular and longer cycles— a possible sign of hormone disruption.

Key findings:

• Cycle irregularities increased in participants living in areas with elevated air pollution levels.
• Short-term exposure (within the same cycle) did not show immediate effects, but exposure in prior cycles appeared to impact future cycle length.
• The study analysed 2.2 million cycles from 92,550 Clue users across 230 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil.
• This is the largest study to date investigating the impact of air pollution on menstrual health.
• Findings suggest air pollution may act as an endocrine disruptor, influencing reproductive health through environmental stress.

~

Air pollution’s impact on reproductive health has been greatly under-researched, reflecting a persistent gender gap in health studies.

The research showcases how digital health data from apps like Clue can power rigorous population-level research that fills critical gaps in science.

Full release on the research attached, let me know if you’d like to speak with Clue's Head of Research, Amanda Shea. 

Warmest,

Aish

AISH SHAH