The consequences of the extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure on physiological processes in the uterus: novel insights and implications

PAPER manual Frontiers in Physiology 2026 Review Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1753084 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF), ranging from 1 Hz to 300 Hz, is prevalent in modern environments, yet its biological effects on the production remain insufficiently explored. This mini-review summarizes recent findings on ELF-EMF-induced alterations in the biological processes involved the uterus. It has been documented that the exposure to the ELF-EMF has been linked to significant changes in alterations of transcriptomic profile, histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA pathways in the uterus, which may disrupt uterine contractility, secretory activity and hormonal signalling. Furthermore, the ELF-EMF influences myometrial and endometrial steroidogenesis, interferes with calcium ion channel regulation, elevates oxidative stress, apoptosis and cell proliferation, raising concerns about uterine tissues integrity. While direct evidence of ELF-EMF-induced tumorigenesis in the myometrium and the endometrium is lacking, its potential role in disrupting the mRNA transcript abundance involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis and cell proliferation underscores the need for further investigation. This review highlights the potential reproductive risks associated with the ELF-EMF exposure and calls for additional in vivo studies to elucidate its long-term effects on female fertility and reproductive health. Effect: Harm

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Review

Effect direction

harm

Population

uterine tissue / female reproductive system

Sample size

—

Exposure

ELF

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 40% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

ELF-EMF exposure is linked to molecular and cellular changes in the uterus that may disrupt physiological processes such as contractility, hormonal signalling, and tissue integrity. Although direct evidence of tumorigenesis is lacking, the exposure influences pathways related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell proliferation, indicating potential reproductive risks.

Outcomes measured

transcriptomic profile alterations
histone modifications
DNA methylation changes
microRNA pathway alterations
disrupted uterine contractility
altered secretory activity
hormonal signalling disruption
myometrial and endometrial steroidogenesis changes
calcium ion channel regulation interference
elevated oxidative stress
increased apoptosis
increased cell proliferation
potential disruption of uterine tissue integrity

Limitations

Review summarizes existing studies but direct causal evidence in vivo is lacking
Lack of direct evidence for tumorigenesis in uterine tissues
Calls for further in vivo studies to clarify long-term effects

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.6)
ELF-EMF exposure is common in modern environments, including occupational settings.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "uterine tissue / female reproductive system",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "transcriptomic profile alterations",
        "histone modifications",
        "DNA methylation changes",
        "microRNA pathway alterations",
        "disrupted uterine contractility",
        "altered secretory activity",
        "hormonal signalling disruption",
        "myometrial and endometrial steroidogenesis changes",
        "calcium ion channel regulation interference",
        "elevated oxidative stress",
        "increased apoptosis",
        "increased cell proliferation",
        "potential disruption of uterine tissue integrity"
    ],
    "main_findings": "ELF-EMF exposure is linked to molecular and cellular changes in the uterus that may disrupt physiological processes such as contractility, hormonal signalling, and tissue integrity. Although direct evidence of tumorigenesis is lacking, the exposure influences pathways related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell proliferation, indicating potential reproductive risks.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Review summarizes existing studies but direct causal evidence in vivo is lacking",
        "Lack of direct evidence for tumorigenesis in uterine tissues",
        "Calls for further in vivo studies to clarify long-term effects"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.40000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "uterus",
        "reproductive health",
        "oxidative stress",
        "apoptosis",
        "steroidogenesis",
        "epigenetic modifications"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "ELF-EMF exposure is common in modern environments, including occupational settings."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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