Two studies were recently published in the USA linking the chemicals in hair and beauty products used mainly by women of Africa descent to an increased risk of uterine fibroids and tumours that grow in the uterus.

The studies indicated that some hair relaxers cause abdominal pain and can lead to infertility to some women. In January this year, a research was conducted by Dr. Laura Wise at the University of Boston that “raised the hypothesis… that some hair relaxer use increases uterine leiomyomata [read fibroid] risk”.

In May 2011 one Dr. Marry Beth conducted a different study where she found out those African-American women surveyed used products that contained chemicals that affect the hormones in the body including oestrogen.

Oestrogen is female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics. They are commonly referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemical, which are linked to various reproductive problems and birth defects.

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