Chemicals in Personal Care Products Tied to Early Puberty in Girls

Precocious puberty is defined as the onset of menarche before 9 years of age, or the appearance of secondary sex characteristics before 8 years of age. It is associated with many psychosocial disturbances and adverse health outcomes such as: cardiovascular disease, shorter adult stature, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and breast cancer. There is a general tendency to a progressive decrease in age of reaching puberty, specifically the onset of thelarche and menarche, girls being 10 times more affected than boys. This actual tendency can be explained by the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and also by increasing environmental exposure to endocrine disruptor chemicals in household and personal care products.Phenols, phthalates, parabens and other compounds, such as polybrominated biphenyls and diethylstilbestrol are associated with precocious onset of puberty in girls, in case of in-utero or peripubertal exposure. These chemicals are frequently found in toothpaste, cosmetics, soups, shampoos, perfumes and other personal care products, interfering with sex hormones and puberty timing. This is why pregnant women should be more aware and avoid products based on these chemicals.