Revealed: The everyday cosmetics used by millions of women that world-leading experts blame for surge in endometriosis - from moisturiser and make-up to deodorant

Chemicals hidden in everyday cosmetics, from lipsticks to face creams and even sunscreens, could be behind a surge in debilitating gynaecological conditions, world-leading experts claim. ‘They’re in food packaging, plastic bottles and even the products we wash with and put on our skin – and studies have shown, time and time again, they are interfering with our hormonal systems. And there are likely many other things we don’t know about that are also triggering these conditions.’ One of the UK’s foremost PCOS specialists, Professor Adam Balen, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, agrees: ‘I’ve seen a massive spike in the number of cases coming to me – our waiting list used to be three months, now it’s a year. ‘But what we’re seeing is that certain chemicals in the environment are making women who are not genetically susceptible develop it.’ Dr Burns’ research has revealed bisphenols interfere with the way the hormone oestrogen functions in the body, worsening endometriosis symptoms. ‘Increased awareness, rising obesity rates, a more sedentary lifestyle – all of these things could also be contributing to a rise in cases of endometriosis and PCOS,’ she says.