hormone creams: they harm pets and kids

While reading articles from the New York Times, I came across a very interesting one about how kids and pets can be affected by hormone creams. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/when-hormone-creams-expose-others-to-risks/?ref=health The article mentioned the creams are used by women during meno-pause. They apply it on their arms and legs, and when their pets rub against them or lick the cream off their skin, they undergo the symptoms of being in heat--even after they've been spayed. The owners had been bringing the dogs and cats to the vet, in hopes of figuring out the issue. When asked by the doctors if the dogs/cats had been exposed to any sort of estrogen product, the owners said no without realizing that their hormone cream could have been the culprit. After finally realizing that theor creams had been affecting their pets, the vets were able to fix the issue by telling the owner to get rid of the product or make sure it is used properly on the skin and hidden underneath clothing. An estrogen spray was said to increase the hormonal changes in young girls, causing them to hit puberty prematurely and have enlarged breasts. People were given a warning over the summmer about the hormone creams/gels/sprays and how they have affected people.