The dangers of deodorant if used excessively, can it make a man impotent?

Most people use deodorant before starting their day. Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumors circulating about the dangers of deodorant. Apart from (he said) causing breast cancer, wearing deodorant every day is also believed to cause impotence. Is that true?

Can the dangers of deodorant use every day increase a man's risk of impotence?

This suspicion of the dangers of this deodran comes from the content of phthalate and triclosan in it. Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that kills the bacteria that cause body odor. Meanwhile, phthalate is an adhesive agent which helps the product to stick to your skin. Phthalates are also able to make deodorant scent last long. Both of these active substances have long been associated with hormonal balance disorders which negatively affect the male reproductive system.

If they accumulate too much in the body, phthalate and triclosan will be trapped in the cells and blood, thereby disrupting the endocrine system which is responsible for maintaining hormonal balance in the body. Several types of hormones are disrupted due to the presence of these two substances in the body, including thyroid hormone and testosterone.

Animal studies have shown that low thyroid hormone levels can lead to low levels of testosterone, a hormone important for male reproductive function and fertility. Hypothyroidism can also be associated with low libido or impotence. Several small studies later showed that hypothyroidism could affect the production and maturation process of sperm. Several studies have also shown that male fertility problems are also linked to hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). This indicates that the endocrine system must function properly to maintain the body's hormonal balance.

In addition, Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., a professor of biological sciences at North Carolina State University stated that the phthalates in deodorants are also thought to have a negative effect on neurodevelopment. In men, nervous disorders can be reflected in the work of the reproductive system which inhibits testosterone activity. Lack of testosterone can cause men to lack stamina, experience impotence (erectile dysfunction), and decrease muscle mass.

However, it needs to be understood, until now research is still being carried out on lab animals. Still need further research in depth to really determine whether deodorant can be the sole cause of problems in the male reproductive system.

Using deodorant every day actually makes you smell worse

Although the suspicion of the dangers of deodorant as a cause of potency has not been completely proven, using deodorant every day is actually not good.

Research owned by Anne Steinemann, Ph.D., a professor of civil engineering at the University of Melbourne in Australia, states that there are various health risks that can be caused by fragrances in these body fragrances, such as breathing problems, asthma attacks, headaches, migraines, rashes, nausea, and various other physical problems.

Another study published in 2014 found that both deodorants and antiperspirants have higher levels of actinobacteria, which are bacteria that cause underarm odor. Some people who were research subjects stated that long-term use of deodorants or antiperspirants can actually make your underarms smell more unpleasant than when you don't use deodorants. This is most likely triggered by the aluminum content in the deodorant which works to clog the sweat glands, trapping bacteria in them.

How to minimize the risk of the dangers of deodorant?

To reduce the risk of deodorant dangers or prevent it completely, you need to limit the frequency of use and replace your scented deodorant product with one that does not contain perfume. If you don't feel confident to leave the house without using deodorant first, you can work around this by using natural-based deodorants.

Also, make it a habit to look at the packaging label before you buy it. Although not all products transparently include the entire composition of their constituents, after knowing the list of dangerous substances in deodorants, avoid buying products that contain hazardous ingredients to minimize the dangerous side effects of deodorants on your health.