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Breast Enhancement Pills Can Have Dangerous Side
Effects
Nov. 17, 2004 - Flip through any women's
magazine and you are sure to find advertisements hawking pills to
enlarge women's breasts. But do these pills actually work? Probably
not, says the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Not only
are breast enhancement pills unproven, they could be dangerous,
according to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
(PRS), the official medical journal of the ASPS.
"There are upward of 30 different herbal
products advertised widely on television, in magazines and on the
Internet alleging to enhance the size of women's breasts; however,
there have been no scientifically sound clinical trials proving they
work," said Thomas Lawrence, MD, chair of the Plastic Surgery
Educational Foundation (PSEF) Device and Technique Assessment
Committee.
Breast enhancement pills have become a
lucrative industry in recent years due to their "guaranteed" safety
and low cost compared to breast augmentation; however, these pills
are sold as herbal supplements and are not subject to the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration's scrutiny for safety and effectiveness.
Although manufacturers claim to have studies that prove their
products work, the majority of the data is derived from historical
anecdotes and isolated, limited studies, according to PRS. While
these pills promise an easy and inexpensive way to have larger
breasts, many women may be placing their health in danger, the study
states.
"It's what we don't know about these pills that
scares many physicians," said Dr. Lawrence. "The primary active
ingredients found in these supplements can be dangerous when mixed
with other medications. Because many women who want bigger breasts
self- prescribe these pills, they may be placing themselves in harms
way without even knowing it."
According to the study, many breast enhancement
pills contain one or more ingredients that can directly interfere
with prescribed medications. For example, chaste-tree berry, which
has been used to treat female reproductive problems since ancient
times in Greece, contains active ingredients that may interfere with
birth control pills. Black cohosh may increase the toxicity of
anticancer drugs. Fenugreek contains elements that can interfere
with medications designed to stop blood clotting and regulate
diabetes. In addition, the primary ingredients of don quai, which
have been used in China for more than 2,000 years to treat and
relieve menstrual symptoms, are known carcinogens. Other popular
ingredients in breast enhancement pills include saw palmetto,
damiana, blessed thistle, dandelion, wild yam, kava and fennel.
"Despite the lack of data, many women are
enticed by these products because they appear to be an easy way to
get larger breasts; however, the only way women can increase their
breast size substantially is through breast augmentation," said Dr.
Lawrence. "There is always the chance that herbal methods may have
some sort of positive effect, but anyone living with a health
condition or taking medications should be careful of the potential
negative side effects."
More than 254,000 women had breast augmentation
in 2003, making it the second most popular cosmetic plastic surgery
procedure for women, according to the ASPS. Since 2000, the
procedure has grown in popularity by 20 percent.
For referrals to ASPS member plastic surgeons
certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and to learn more
about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at
888-4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit
http://www.plasticsurgery.org.
ASPS is the largest organization of
board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and the foremost
authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. With
nearly 5,000 members, more than any other plastic surgery
organization, ASPS is the definitive voice of the plastic surgery
specialty. Viewed throughout the world as the pinnacle of
information for new techniques, advances and plastic surgery trends,
the society represents 94 percent of all the board-certified plastic
surgeons in the U.S. Ninety-four percent of all ASPS members perform
cosmetic plastic surgery and 89 percent of all ASPS members perform
reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS, founded in 1931, represents
physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
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