Early puberty may be linked to a common chemical used in personal care products

For several decades, the age at which girls reach puberty has been declining at a concerning rate, and experts have found it difficult to determine why. According to recent research, a substance included in many different items, such as air fresheners, detergents, soaps, and cosmetics, may activate the brain region responsible for initiating puberty.

According to Dr. Natalie Shaw, a pediatric endocrinologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Durham, North Carolina, this is the first time researchers have examined the potential effects of environmental chemicals on the brain to explain the surge in early puberty.

Beginning puberty very early (before age 8 for females and 9 for boys) may have long-term health consequences, such as increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer in adulthood. In both girls and boys, it can also result in shorter stature. A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study published in May revealed that 1.4% of girls began menstruation before the age of nine, and 15.5% of girls had early periods, meaning they started before the age of eleven.

In the past, researchers have proposed food, obesity, socioeconomic status, and probable exposure to chemicals like phthalates that may interfere with sex hormones as potential explanations.

Shaw, one of the co-senior authors of the current study, agreed that early puberty and obesity are related in young females. “I believe it has an impact, but in my experience, early puberty is not limited to individuals who are overweight or obese,” the woman stated.

Shaw stated that although there may be some genetic influence on the date of puberty, a sudden shift is entirely due to environmental variables. This is what motivated the researchers to look for a substance that kids would encounter frequently.

Shaw and her colleagues will have uncovered the mechanism underlying the time shift if they have identified a substance that could influence the brain’s signal to start puberty, something that population studies haven’t been able to achieve.

After sifting through 10,000 substances in a collection of approved medications, environmental pollutants, and nutritional supplements, the researchers discovered a number of substances that may affect the onset of puberty. However, the study that was published in Endocrinology found that children were more likely to only be exposed to one of them: musk ambrette.

A synthetic version of the scent called Musk Ambrosia may cling to a puberty-related receptor in the brain, causing the hormone GnRH—which is involved in the maturation of sexual organs and the synthesis of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone—to be released.

According to Shaw, musk ambrette is frequently included in low-cost or fake fragrances and other scented personal care items. However, the researchers also mentioned that it has been detected in wastewater surveys and in freshwater fish bodies.

The scientists’ next task was to examine how musk ambrette affected zebra fish larvae and human hypothalamus cells.

They discovered that the chemical stimulated the synthesis of GnRH in human cells as well as fish larvae.

According to Shaw, the new study is just the beginning. Future research, she continued, will examine the effects of musk ambrette on mammals, including rodents, as well as the compound’s levels in human blood.

Shaw advises parents who want to delay their child’s puberty to look for the ingredient “musk ambrette” in any cosmetics, scents, and home goods their child may use until additional research is done.

Dr. Apisadaporn Thambundit, a pediatric endocrinologist and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at UCLA, stated that the current study examines a highly significant subject.

Nevertheless, she stated, “I don’t think it’s strong enough to suggest anything that parents can do.” She was taken aback that the study didn’t address phthalates, which have been connected to early puberty.

The latest results, according to Jasmine McDonald, an associate professor in the epidemiology department at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in latest York City, “as a first step are great.”

The fact that the study didn’t begin with a potential compound is one of its main strengths, according to McDonald. Rather of searching for potential chemicals, the researchers first had a biological mechanism in mind.

McDonald stated that it is too soon to discuss regulating or outlawing a substance based only on this study. However, families may limit their use of scented goods.