Recent studies have shown (see article here) that the chemicals in perfumes or scented body creams can cause unborn boys health problems later in life such as infertility or cancer. This conclusion was made after studying the reproductive system of rats and determining that male foetuses can be damaged as early as eight weeks’ gestation.
The problem is that a lot of women do not know they are pregnant during this time. The foetus’s hormones are activated during this early gestation period and the male reproductive system is established. The chemicals can block the hormones causing these reproductive system problems.
The final diagnosis: “Women could stop using body creams and perfumes. Although we do not have conclusive evidence that they do harm, there are components about which there are question marks; for example it could be certain combinations of chemicals. If you are thinking about how a baby might be exposed, that’s one way, and it’s something positive you can do. It might have no consequence, but it’s something positive women can do for their baby.”
Sources:
Foster, K. Women Warned Not to Wear Perfume During Pregnancy. 08-31-08.
Image - Perfumes. Wikipedia.
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