Can lavender affect estrogen levels? A few years ago, there was an anecdotal report about three young boys who exhibited breast enlargement, allegedly as a result of using lavender-scented shampoo, lotion, or soap. When the boys stopped using those products, their breast enlargement reportedly went away. To investigate this report, researchers asked nine healthy perimenopausal women who were suffering from menopause hot flashes to use lavender lotion daily for a week, while their hot flashes and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were monitored. The result: No change in their hot flashes or in their FSH levels (This study was published in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.) The consensus is that lavenders action is probably like that of other phytoestrogens: mild, estrogen-displacing, and safe. I personally love lavender for its calming properties and use it with confidence!
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