“Give me one in every color!”
In a perfect world, that would be the phrase I would declare at every store for every shirt, scarf, dress, handbag, and every pair of shoes I see. But with an average American income, that phrase can only be fulfilled at Ulta, and can only be used on lipstick and nail polish. So I can still enjoy the complete satisfaction of shopping without breaking the bank.
But are all cosmetic products safe enough to use on a daily basis? Toxins known as hormone disrupting chemicals (which we like to call "BioMutagens") can lower a woman’s estrogen level, reducing the responsiveness of her ovaries, which in turn may impact egg quality. Beauty at the price of infertility hardly seems like a worthwhile trade-off, but sacrificing beauty for the sake of protecting fertility also does not seem like the ideal solution. Not every cosmetic product contains BioMutagens. As long as you avoid products that are known to contain chemicals that disrupt hormone balance, beauty and fertility can reach a happy medium.
The following three are chemicals that are used in most common cosmetic products: phthalates, parabens, and nonoxynol or nonylphenol ethoxylate. Phthalates are most commonly used in nail polish and nail treatment. It has been shown to have an adverse affect on female hormones as well as cause sperm DNA damage. It is also used to extend fragrance in scented products. Since phthalates are rarely listed on labels, it is best to choose “fragrance-free” products.
Parabens are widely used as preservatives in deodorants, and shaving cream. It can disrupt hormones and is listed as a possible carcinogen. After checking the label on my daily moisturizer, I found that it is also used in my moisturizers with spf protection.
Nonoxynol or nonylphenol ethoxylate are hormone disrupters that can also cause birth defects in an embryo or fetus. This is most commonly used in moisturizers to make the product easier to dispense and/or absorb.
Beauty does not have to be achieved at the price of the possibility of starting a family of your own. For more information regarding hormone balance for fertility, you can refer to Dr. Robert Greene’s book, Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility, which can be found in your local library or purchased at Amazon.com. You can also learn more about Dr. Greene and communicate directly with him regarding hormone balance for fertility and pregnancy at his blog, The Greene Guide to Fertility and Pregnancy.You'll also find more resources there on personal care products and healthy living.
All medical concepts discussed are excerpts referenced from Dr. Robert Greene and Ms. Laurie Tarkan's book, Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility. (Greene, M.D., Robert, and Tarkan, Laurie. Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2008. p.277-278. Print.)
