Article: Chemicals in beauty products tied to early puberty in girls

[hexeengel.livejournal.com]

Just thought this would be of interest to the community at large, discussion/safe-space debate welcome.

Chemicals in beauty products tied to early puberty in girls

Thu, Apr 8, 2010 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to chemicals found in a wide range of consumer products may lead to delayed or early puberty in girls and increase their risk for health problems later in life, U.S. researchers say.

The three common classes of chemicals -- phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens -- are known as endocrine disruptors because they interfere with the body's endocrine, or hormone, system. They're found in many consumer products such as nail polishes, cosmetics, perfumes, lotions and shampoos. Some are used in plastics or as coatings on medications or nutritional supplements to make them time-released.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/prettyhowtown_/]

I started to develop breasts around age 8 or 9... pubic hair at age nine... and period at age 10. That's a couple years earlier than the norm, I believe.

I have no doubt that my body fat percentage played a part in that. I was a little heavy for my size. I am currently in the "healthy" range and I feel pretty healthy. My breasts are only finishing up their development and I'm nearly 22. My mom died of metastatic breast cancer at age 41, so I try to be careful about lifestyle choices.

I've switched to organic and chemical free personal and beauty care products--- even makeup. I try not to drink or eat from plastic containers. I try, also, not to fret about my risk for breast cancer. There's only so much that can effectively be done to prevent it, and at that point it's more or less up to chance.

[archangelbeth]

It's not earlier than the norm anymore, actually. Doctors don't worry about periods much unless they start earlier than 7, these days.

Me, I started at 13, and I'm hoping that my kid, miss skinny-genetics, won't be any earlier.

(Thinking good-thoughts about your health, too.)

[kriscynical.livejournal.com]

My sister died of metastatic breast cancer at 41, too. I know a couple other people who died at that same age from the same thing as well... seems to be an unofficial favorite age. :|

[doomweasel.livejournal.com]

What's especially troubling is that some other studies have shown that certain racial/ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, may be more sensitive to endocrine disruptors than others.

However, it may be that African-American tend to be exposed to toxins a lot more than whites because of various socioeconomic factors.

Shitty situation all around.

[spicytoys.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say that if you look further into endocrine disruptors, you'll find that they're just about everywhere. It's easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you can't do anything to protect yourself from them. But you can get a BPA-free water bottle, stop using nail polish, use organic lotions, or use the "no 'poo" method of hair care. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to get away from all of these chemicals, but getting away from some of them is better than nothing!