What's the Word on Steroid Implants?

There's a common myth that the steroid hormone implants that are used in animals accelerate child growth, such as puberty in young women.

True or False?

False!

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) steroid implant use has been approved for use in beef cattle and sheep; this includes the natural version, as well as the synthetic version. However, the FDA only allows the use of this type of implant after the implant has shown it will not affect food, the animals and environment. When the animal receiving the implant is harvested, the ear with the implant is discarded and will never be used for human consumption. For more information about implants and their safety information, click here.

This is an illustration of where an implant will go and the typical size.

Photo retrieved from: http://1.usa.gov/1PrhRWy

A contributing factor to accelerated puberty is: childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity raises issues such as, sugar intolerance, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. All of these metabolic conditions can impact reproductivity. According to an article on Dairy Herd Management, the secretion of a hormone called kisspetin in children who are obese is disrupted because of the amount of excess fat on their bodies. This ultimately disrupts the natural cycle of puberty in young girls/women. Another explanation could be the disruption of children's sleep cycles.  Sleep-wake cycles affect the levels of certain hormones in your brain and could cause secretions at an earlier time. For more information, click here.

It is a scary thought to think hormones could be affecting puberty in young women that are found in our food. However, this is a MYTH.

Numerous studies have been conducted and so far the results have said there are no correlations between hormone implants and girls coming into puberty faster.