Xenoestrogens

Chemicals that pretend to be estrogens are everywhere and most likely contribute to vaginal dryness. These chemicals known as xenoestrogens are chemicals that fit into the estrogen receptor and block, stimulate fully, stimulate partially, or stimulate strangely the estrogen receptor. "Xeno" means foreign. So xenoestrogen means foreign estrogen.

In 2002, 42% of the male bass in the Potomac River near Washington DC are producing eggs. Suspect chemicals include pesticide run off from farms, laundry detergent and birth control pills ending up in the river. A follow up study in 2006, showed 80% of the male small mouth bass were growing eggs in 3 tributaries emptying into the Potomac according to Vicki Blazer, a fish pathologist of the U.S. Geological Society. Officials have concluded that "endocrine disrupters" are likely causing the problem.

In 2004, native white sucker fish in the Colorado Platte River were found to be hemaphordites or half male and half female. Above the sewage outfall, the count was 1 to 1 males to females and no hemaphrodites (intersex) were found. However, below the sewage outfall females outnumbered males 9 to 1 and there were 10% hemaphrodites. Since 1999, researcher with the US Geological Survey have found a large range of xenoestrogen chemicals in Colorado rivers including the South Platte River and Boulder creek, the same places where the intersex fish were found.

The classic study in endocrine disruption was done by 2 Syracuse University Zoologists Lindeman and Burlington. They injected DDT into developing roosters for 2 to 3 months. These injections made the roosters look like hens. Testicles were only 18% of normal size and the combs and wattles remained stunted and pale. DDT in addition to being a pesticide also pretended to be estrogen.

Parabens are found in almost all topical lotions, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens and liquid soaps. Methyl paraben, butyl paraben, and proply paraben were considered to be low in toxicity, and carcinogenicity. However, John Sumpter from Biology and Biochemistry, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex has found that the parabens are weakly estrogenic from a receptor binding assay. When parabens are taken orally, the parabens were inactive. But when parabens were subcutaneously given, the parabens produced a positive estrogenic response on uterine tissue. The European Union has asked the European Cosmetics and Toiletry industry about the findings and the implication for breast cancer.

It is likely that your vaginal dryness may in part be caused by the xenoestrogens that are put on the skin throught the use of common every household product found in the drug store and grocery. So get rid of them!

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