Why Is Puberty Starting Earlier? New Research Points To Chemical Found In Some Scented Products
There has been a trend for years of children reaching puberty at earlier ages, and the reason why has largely mystified doctors. Now, new research is suggesting a possible culprit—and it shows up in a ton of products that kids (and adults) are exposed to on a regular basis.
It's called musk ambrette and, while you’ve likely never heard of it before, odds are high you’ve interacted with it on some level. So what is musk ambrette and what did this study discover? Here’s what we know right now.
Meet the experts: Natalie Shaw, MD, senior co-author of the study and a pediatric endocrinologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Minisha Sood, MD, endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. Danelle Fisher, MD, chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
What did the study find?
The study, which was published in the journal Endocrinology in its October 2024 issue, analyzed more than 10,000 compounds to see how they may impact the brain. The researchers discovered that musk ambrette may be able to latch onto a receptor in the brain linked to puberty, causing it to release a hormone called GnRH.
GnRH impacts how sexual organs mature. It also affects the production of sex hormones (including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone), all of which are linked to puberty. The theory is that musk ambrette may be causing the early release of GnRH, pushing kids into puberty prematurely.
It’s important to note that the study didn’t find that musk ambrette actually causes early puberty—but it did find that it the potential to do so.
What is musk ambrette?
Musk ambrette is a synthetic form of musk. It’s usually used as a scent in personal care products, but is also used as a flavoring in some foods. Worth noting: Musk ambrette is banned in cosmetics in the European Union.
Musk ambrette can build up in human tissues and has been detected in maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk, “highlighting potential risks for children,” says Natalie Shaw, MD, senior co-author of the study and a pediatric endocrinologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Does musk ambrette cause early puberty?
It’s tough to say at this moment. However, it raised eyebrows for the study authors. “The ability of these compounds to stimulate these brain receptors raises the possibility that they may prematurely activate the reproductive axis in children,” Shaw says.
Shaw says that musk ambrette is a “potential concern” for kids because it’s found in personal care products. Still, she adds that more research is needed.
“It is important to conduct confirmatory studies in girls with early puberty, but these compounds deserve greater attention,” she says.
What causes early puberty?
Research has showed that the average age of starting puberty continues to drop over time: One study published in 2020 shows that the average starting age of puberty for girls has decreased by about three months each decade from 1977 to 2013. Another study, which was published in 2024, found that the average age that girls had their first periods decreased from 12.5 years old in 1950 to 1969 to 11.9 years old in 2000 to 2005.
Researchers haven’t identified a single cause as to why puberty is shifting earlier. There are some theories—including obesity, shifting diets, and exposure to phthalates (a substance added to plastics)—but so far, nothing has been proven.
"There are several theories as to why the age of puberty has decreased over time. One of the leading theories is that there may be increased environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting (hormone-disrupting) chemicals in our environment including those in soaps, detergents, fragrances, beauty products, hair care products, and more," says Minisha Sood, MD, endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. "These products may also be in our water and soil, thus exposing those who may not actively use them on their skin or hair."
Since the shift is happening relatively quickly, Shaw says the data suggests "the influence of chemicals in our environment," but stresses that more research is needed.
Which products have musk ambrette? Should I avoid them?
Musk ambrette shows up in a lot of different products, including soaps, cleaning products, shampoos, deodorants, body wash, perfumes, and air fresheners, Shaw says. It’s also in certain spices and some foods.
Shaw points out that musk ambrette has been removed from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s list of things that are “generally recognized as safe” due to toxicity.
“Yet, it is still available on the market and found in some personal care products,” she says. “Children may therefore encounter musk ambrette and other nitro-musks through synthetic fragrances found in various household and personal care products.”
While Shaw says that more research is needed, she says that musk ambrette and similar chemicals “deserve greater attention.”
“Parents may want to consider not using any products that contain musk ambrette or related compounds,” Shaw says. “Out of an abundance of caution, it is important to only use personal care products in children that are federally regulated.”
Musk ambrette's related compounds include musk xylene and musk ketone. Some ingredient labels only list it as a fragrance or flavoring, so if you're concerned, you may want to consider avoiding fragrance in those products when not necessary.
"It may be impossible to eliminate exposure to musk ambrette due to its prevalence in products from personal care to cleaning," says Danelle Fisher, MD, chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "But a start would be to reach for unscented products if possible and to be aware of labels when purchasing these products."
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