![]() ![]() ![]() This technique is as widespread as it is unhealthful. However, studies looking at the connection between feminine hygiene products and the development of vaginal infections have drawn some strong conclusions as to which products and procedures a person should avoid when caring for their vagina and vulva.ĭouching involves “flushing” the vagina with water or various cleansers, including homemade solutions of water and vinegar, sometimes with the help of specially designed implements. ![]() Share on Pinterest Using douche syringes and cleansers can upset the vaginal microbiome. However, as one study that names these characteristics concludes, “the vulva is more complex than originally thought,” as vulvar bacterial populations appear to vary greatly among people. That said, existing research does suggest that the vulva naturally features bacteria present in the vagina as well as some species present in a person’s feces. In the vagina, bacterial populations shift depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle and, according to some studies, people of different ethnicities also have different vaginal microbiota.Īs for the vulvar microbiota, specialists have conducted only a few studies with the aim of determining what a normal vulvar bacterial population should look like. When it comes to understanding what constitutes a balanced microbiome in the vagina versus the vulva, however, matters become less clear. At menopause, depending on whether or not a person undertakes hormone replacement therapy, their vaginal pH may be 4.5–5 or 6.5–7. So, before a person reaches reproductive age and starts menstruating, their vaginal pH will be 7 (neutral), whereas a person of reproductive age may have a vaginal pH of 3.8–4.4. Studies indicate that vulvar pH is usually 3.5–4.7, while vaginal pH varies according to a person’s age and the stage of their menstrual cycle. To maintain vulvar and vaginal health, a person must ensure that two important aspects remain balanced: their pH, which is a measurement that denotes something’s acidity or alkalinity, and their bacterial balance. the vestibule (which surrounds the vaginal opening).the glans clitoris (the external part of the clitoris) and clitoral hood (the fold of skin protecting the glans clitoris).the inner and outer labia (labia minora and majora).The vulva is the external part of the female genital tract, which includes: So if the vagina does not require any additional cleaning, does this mean that the same rule applies to the vulva? And how can different intimate hygiene products affect vulvovaginal health? These are some of the questions that we will tackle in this Spotlight feature.įirst things first: What is the vagina, what is the vulva, and what is the difference between the two? In medical terms, the vagina refers to the internal muscular tract extending from the cervix to the vaginal opening. This idea refers to the fact that the vagina naturally produces discharge that eliminates dead cells and bacteria, so there is no need to clean it using soaps, washes, or douches. Yet in recent years, one mantra has become pervasive across medical and wellness websites and on educational materials discussing vaginal health - namely, that “the vagina is a self-cleaning oven.” Meanwhile, other types of feminine hygiene products - excluding sanitary napkins, pantyliners, and tampons - brought over $309 million into the economy. in 2018, sales for vaginal treatments amounted to over $286 million, and those for douches to $41 million. Statistics show that the feminine hygiene market, on the whole, brought millions of dollars into the economies of dozens of countries in 2017 alone, with China and the United States leading the field. So-called feminine hygiene products - which include different types of intimate washes, wipes, shaving gels, and lubricants, but also intimate douches and products for alternative care procedures, such as vaginal steaming - are popular in many countries around the world. Our teacher then explained that overusing cleansers, even ones labeled as “safe” for intimate areas, could upset the delicate intimate balance of the vagina and give rise to infections but was our teacher right or wrong in her assessment? “How was this possible?” my classmate wondered. Despite this, she ended up with a bad vaginal infection. Her good friend, she said, used intimate cleansers on a daily basis. One of their questions, however, genuinely piqued the interest of all the girls in the class. As fun-loving teenagers, many of my classmates would ask questions and recount anecdotes they hoped would spook our long-suffering teacher. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |