A new study has found evidence that exposure to PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," during pregnancy may increase the risk of developing polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) later in life.

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affects an estimated 13% of women worldwide. Despite its prevalence, many cases remain undiagnosed, and the underlying causes of the condition are still not fully understood.

The peer-reviewed research, led by Harvard University scientists, analyzed data from approximately 325 mother-daughter pairs. Researchers found that women with higher PFAS concentrations in their blood during pregnancy were more likely to have daughters who developed PMOS and moderate-to-severe acne during adolescence.

The findings add to growing evidence that environmental chemical exposure may contribute to hormonal and metabolic disorders. While the researchers emphasize that additional studies are needed to confirm the relationship, they suggest PFAS exposure could be an important factor in the development of PMOS.

Public health experts note that previous studies have linked PFAS to hormonal disruption and reproductive health problems, but this is the first research to specifically examine prenatal exposure and the subsequent development of PMOS years later.

PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals widely used in products designed to resist water, grease, and stains. Because they persist in the environment for decades and accumulate in the human body, they have been associated with numerous health concerns, including cancer, birth defects, immune dysfunction, elevated cholesterol levels, and kidney disease.

PMOS is characterized by symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, acne, and infertility. Medical experts recently adopted the new name PMOS to reflect the condition's broader hormonal and metabolic nature rather than focusing solely on the ovaries.

The study was based on participants enrolled in Project Viva, a long-term research initiative launched in the Boston area in 1999 to investigate how early-life exposures influence health later in life.

Researchers found that daughters whose mothers had higher PFAS levels during pregnancy were between 2.3 and 2.7 times more likely to develop PMOS or significant acne during their teenage years.

Among the chemicals examined, elevated prenatal exposure to N-EtFOSAA was associated with a higher risk of PMOS. This compound is commonly found in stain-resistant coatings, pesticides, water-repellent textile treatments, and paper-product coatings. In the environment, N-EtFOSAA can degrade into PFOS, one of the most extensively studied and potentially harmful PFAS compounds.

Another PFAS chemical, PFNA, was linked to an increased likelihood of moderate-to-severe acne.

Because PFAS are present in a wide range of consumer products, avoiding exposure can be challenging. Experts recommend reducing contact with stain-resistant treatments, choosing PFAS-free waterproof clothing and textiles whenever possible, and consuming minimally processed foods prepared at home to limit exposure from food packaging and industrial processing.