A Systematic Literature Review of Reproductive Toxicological Studies on Phthalates

Phthalates are widely used plasticizers recognized as endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with well‐documented adverse effects on reproductive health. These compounds act on the organism either directly or through their metabolites and can influence various biochemical pathways. Key phthalates that have been associated with potential toxic outcomes include Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), and Diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP). The presence of these compounds in everyday consumer products has been associated with various adverse outcomes in human reproductive health. Such effects include hormonal disruption, issues in gonadal function or other hormone related problems. The current systematic review aims to investigate the most recent research regarding phthalate reproductive toxicity, covering the range between January 2020 and June 2024. The scope is to provide a solid correlation between phthalate exposure and reproductive health outcomes across genders and highlight the factors, such as age, sex and intake dosage, that may affect the outcome in various individuals. The reported studies focus on the gender-specific outcomes of various phthalates, while the epidemiological data reveal the importance of exposure duration and age. The reported results highlight the need for strict regulations regarding phthalate usage and importance of developing safer alternatives.