Illness & Birth Defects: Parabens

Parabens have been used for over 50 years as a preservative in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, but recent studies have correlated parabens with hypersensitivity, obesity and infertility. 

Because parabens mimic estrogen in the body, they disrupt hormonal balance and result in several health issues like weight gain, skin irritability and reduced fertility. Almost 77 % of rinse-off products and 99 % of leave-on personal care products contain parabens. 

Women who used paraben containing nail polish, perfume, lotion, cosmetics, sunscreen and hair gel had urinary concentrations of parabens that were 28–80 % higher than people who used organic products.  Studies show that women with higher levels of parabens in their urine were more likely to experience irregular menstrual periods and impaired ovarian function, both of which are signs of PCOS.  Infertility, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are a few of the reproductive issues in women with which parabens have been associated. 

Parabens are readily absorbed into the human body and can lead to detrimental impacts on health, including the onset of skin allergies, endocrine dysfunction, reproductive issues, as well as a negative impact on the liver.  Unfortunately, cosmetics manufacturers are not required by law to remove parabens from their products.

Even worse, the influence of parabens during pregnancy are alarming!  Moms using products with parabens during pregnancy can cause permanent disruption of their baby’s feeling of satiety, increasing the child’s chances of becoming obese. Also, parabens in the urine of pregnant women is associated with birth defects affecting the genitals of their children.  Boys exposed to parabens prenatally had a reduced distance from the anus to the scrotum – a recognized sign of endocrine disorders that may affect future sperm quality and testosterone levels. The girls had shorter distance and changes in their reproductive hormones, but we do not yet know the long-term impact of these changes.

Please read your personal care products and trash any that contain parabens. Hairspray, shampoo, skincare, perfume, sunscreen, shower gel, shaving cream…anything you put on your body should not contain parabens.  I can help with the skincare; J Renee Organics facial and body products do not contain parabens or chemicals of any kind.