Killing beauty

New research has found that chemicals in cosmetic products can harm women’s fertility or cause breast cancer. 

“This study confirmed, we should be much more careful with the chemicals in beauty and personal care products that we use on the regular basis” 

Researchers at George Mason University in Virginia have found connection between chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products, and changes in reproductive hormones. 

The team analyzed urine samples from 143 women aged 18 to 44 years who did not have known chronic diseases and did not use contraceptives. Those who had chemicals such as parabens (a preservative widely used in cosmetic products), benzophenones (used as UV filters) and bisphenol A, had abnormal amounts of reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone in their urine. 

An excess of estrogen was associated with myoma and irregular menstrual periods, while too little prevented the maturation and release of eggs from the ovary. 

Too much progesterone is associated with both breast cancer and unusual vaginal bleeding, although bisphenol A (BPA), known as a chemical that affects sex, is thought to affect male breast growth, can cause fertility problems. 

Dr. Anna Pollack, Assistant Professor at the Department of Global and Public Health at George Mason University, said: "This study is the first to look at mixtures of chemicals that are widely used in personal care products for hormones in healthy women of reproductive age using multiple measures effects during the menstrual cycle, which improved after studies that were based on one or two chemical indicators. What we need to learn from this study is that we clearly need to be careful with the chemicals in beauty and personal care products that we use. We have clear indications that chemicals like parabens can increase estrogen levels. If this result is confirmed by additional research, it may be relevant for estrogen-related diseases such as breast cancer. "