Swedish endocrinologists are raising the alarm over accidental exposure of children to hormone creams, following a growing number of cases in which young patients developed unexpected physical changes after skin contact with adults using topical hormone treatments.
At least a dozen such incidents have been reported in Sweden since 2019, according to the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket), though experts believe the real number is significantly higher. Clinicians at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg say their own cases are not included in the official tally.
In one recent case, a 10-month-old girl developed an enlarged clitoris resembling a small penis after lying on her father’s chest shortly after he applied testosterone gel. In another, a 10-year-old boy began growing breasts due to unintentional exposure to his mother’s hormone medication.
“These hormone treatments are potent, and their effects on developing children can be profound,” said Dr. Jovanna Dahlgren, chief physician in paediatrics at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. “Babies under 12 months have especially absorbent skin. We must do everything to spare them from exposure.”
Hormone creams, gels, and sprays are often prescribed to adults undergoing hormone therapy for conditions such as menopause, testosterone deficiency, or recovery from chemotherapy. However, Dahlgren emphasized that these medications can be absorbed through skin contact, making close physical interactions—such as cuddling a child—a potential health risk.
Doctors are urging parents who use such medications to take precautions, including applying treatments to areas less likely to touch children, such as the upper back or inner thighs, and to explore alternatives such as injections or patches. Storing medications securely and avoiding immediate contact with children post-application is also advised.
The growing accessibility of hormone therapy via online prescriptions may be contributing to the rising number of cases, with platforms in Sweden, Germany, and France legally able to issue prescriptions through telehealth.
Beyond Sweden, similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in Europe. A 2024 study by paediatric endocrinologists in Wales documented several cases of early puberty symptoms in children exposed to hormone gels used by parents. These included breast development and mood swings in young girls, prompting concerns over both physical and psychological effects.
In total, global data collected between 2004 and 2025 includes 107 reports of secondary hormone exposure in children and adults related to oestrogen and testosterone products, according to a Swedish medical trade journal.
While some symptoms reverse once exposure stops—such as in the infant girl in Sweden—other cases may result in long-term consequences. The 10-year-old boy with breast development, for example, is awaiting breast reduction surgery and may face disrupted bone growth due to accelerated bone age.
“These substances are steroids that act on DNA and alter protein expression throughout the body,” said Dahlgren. “They are not benign, and long-term exposure in children can lead to permanent changes.”
The hospital is now working with regional centres to map the extent of the issue nationally and to raise awareness among both the public and healthcare providers.
