A leading doctor has called for people to stop using cologne and perfume because of “irrefutable evidence” they are linked to cancer and infertility.
Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said that while a quick spray may seem harmless, even small amounts of these products could contain harmful “permanent chemicals,” also called PFAS.
These substances have always been labeled as chemicals because they do not break down in the body, where they cause untold damage.
He said the most concerning chemical in perfumes is phthalates, which are used to make the scent last longer.
Studies have shown that they mimic the body’s hormones and interfere with the production and response to natural hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
He pointed to a statement from the Endocrine Society, which said these studies show “irrefutable evidence” that endocrine-disrupting chemicals lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, infertility and various forms of cancer.
As evidence grows, Dr. Pasricha recommends staying away from fragrances altogether, especially if you have young children who could develop problems later in life.
Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, warned against using personal care products with phthalates. Phthalates are synthetic chemicals intended to make plastic more durable and give shampoos a more flexible consistency. These are found in personal care products and even some ultra-processed foods.
In a column for Washington PostDr. Pasricha pointed to a recent study of 200 adolescents in Open JAMA Network.
The report notes that higher urinary concentrations of phthalates found in personal care products such as deodorants were linked to a 25 percent increase in the risk of hyperactivity problems.
AND another study from the same group found that greater exposure to these chemicals was associated with worse performance in mathematics, especially among those under more stress.
These concerns about childhood exposure have led to three forms of phthalates being banned in children’s products in the United States. The United Kingdom has banned four types.
These chemicals have also been associated with fertility problems in both men and women.
A study in the magazine Toxicological SciencesFor example, he discovered that female mice exposed in utero to the same phthalate mixtures detected in pregnant women were born with fertility problems, which they then passed on to their female offspring.
Additional investigation has found that higher levels of phthalates in women’s urine could reduce the chance of becoming pregnant and increase the risk of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation.
Meanwhile, a Polish study showed that exposure to phthalates in men reduced sperm quality and count, decreasing the chances of conceiving.
Phthalates are also considered possible human carcinogens, meaning they may increase the risk of some forms of cancer, specifically those related to hormone production such as thyroid and breast cancer.
A study in the magazine. Breast cancer researchFor example, it found that higher levels of phthalates in urine were associated with up to a 32 percent increase in the risk of breast hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
To reduce your exposure to phthalates, Dr. Pasricha suggests opting for shampoos that are listed as “fragrance-free” or “phthalate-free,” as well as limiting canned and ultra-processed foods and avoiding heating plastic.
She wrote: ‘As a doctor, I know that sometimes we need to choose our healthcare battles wisely. But what we are discovering about how exposure to EDCs affects an individual’s sperm or eggs is deeply concerning.”