The consumption of dairy products has been associated with accelerated ovarian aging, possibly due to the steroid hormones or endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cow’s milk. When it comes to the amount of steroid hormones we are exposed to through food, „dairy products deliver about 60-80% of the absorbed female sexual steroids.“ In my video, I discuss the effects of these estrogens and progesterone on men and pre-pubertal children, and how consuming milk can elevate estrogen levels within hours of consumption. Graphs illustrating these points can be seen in my video at 0:25.
In terms of the impact on women, I have discussed the increased risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. But what about women of childbearing age? Could milk hormones affect reproduction? Research has shown that „the consumption of dairy products is associated with infertility; however, little is known about the links with reproductive hormones or anovulation.“ How could dairy products achieve this? By influencing the preparation of the uterus or affecting the ovaries themselves?
Studies have found that women who consumed yogurt or cream had a higher risk of sporadic anovulation. It is worth noting that most yogurt products nowadays are high in sugar. Even plain Greek yogurt can contain more sugar than a double chocolate glazed donut. However, researchers controlled for this and found that the risk of anovulation remained independent of sugar content.
Researchers at Harvard University examined the link between protein intake and the number of ovarian antral follicles in women struggling to conceive. They found that a higher intake of milk protein was associated with a lower number of antrum follicles, indicating accelerated ovarian aging. This suggests that diet may play a role in individual rates of reproductive decline.
Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms behind this link, whether it be the steroid hormones and growth factors present in dairy products or contamination by pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The consumption of milk contributes significantly to estrogen intake, and these hormones can potentially impact reproductive outcomes. More research is needed to clarify the biology underlying these associations and the potential long-term health effects of human consumption of milk from another species.
In my video, I discuss the effects of these hormones on male fertility and how diet can impact fertility. For more information on how diet can affect fertility, refer to the related posts below.