Turns out vaginal hygiene products could do more harm than good

Apr 17, 2018

For most women, vaginal products are a part of their daily hygiene routine, and we use them thinking that are especially designed to protect us from infections and other inconvenience that comes with being a woman.

However, according to a new study, these products could actually be detrimental to our health.

Published by the University of Guelph in the journal BMC Women's Health, the research conducted on Canadian women revealed that those who use these products are three times more likely to experience some type of vaginal infection.

In some cases, women actually purchased the products to address an existing vaginal concern.

"While research has shown douching can have negative impacts on vaginal health, little was known about the dozens of other products out there," said psychology professor Kieran O'Doherty, the study's lead investigator.

Vaginal hygiene products have been used by 95 per cent of Canadian women, with the most commonly used products including anti-itch creams, moisturisers, lubricants, and feminine wipes. The results connected certain products with specific infections.

"The study does not establish whether it is the products causing the infections or whether women are using the products in an attempt to address the infection," said O'Doherty. "However, the results do provide important evidence for strong correlations that need further research."

For example, women who used gel sanitisers were eight times more likely to have a yeast infection and almost 20 times more likely to have a bacterial infection.

Women using feminine washes or gels were almost 3 ½ times more likely to have a bacterial infection and 2 ½ times more likely to report a urinary tract infection.

Participants using feminine wipes were twice as likely to have a urinary tract infection, and those using lubricants or moisturisers were 2 ½ times as likely to have a yeast infection.

"These products may be preventing the growth of the healthy bacteria required to fight off infection", O'Doherty added.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, reduced fertility, ectopic and pre-term pregnancies, and bacterial and sexually transmitted infections are among the problems related to an abnormal vaginal microbiome.

Before anymore research can confirm these findings, we might just stick to a good old soap…

Pesticides, chlorine and chemicals: What are tampons made of?

Feb 20, 2018

by Staff Writer

When it comes to the clothes on our backs, many of us are conscious of how they were made, and what fabrics, chemicals, dyes and labour force were behind our clothing's creation.

However, not all of us are so scrupulous when it comes to wondering what exactly make sus our sanitary products.

Pads and tampons have continued contact with one of the most finely balanced, sensitive areas of our bodies, but rarely is there ever a conversation happening around what ingredients could be found in the colourful boxes in the 'feminine hygiene' aisle.

Fashion Revolution is an innovative brand collective which encouraged fashion brands to be transparent and sustainable when it comes to their production.

Now, Freda, a sanitary brand has joined them for the first time ever, and they're exposing what trace elements can be found in other brands of tampon and pad.

From trace elements like chlorine and pesticides to synthetic fibres and artificial fragrances – there's a lot more than just pure organic cotton in some products.

Fashion Revolution is encouraging a discussion on the health of these ingredients, for both our bodies an the environment.

'Across fashion, beauty, and food, consumers are seeking greater transparency, but when it comes to femcare, many of us are still buying the same products on auto-pilot,' said Freda founder Affi Parvizi-Wayne.

'In being honest about the ingredients and manufacture of our products, we’re equipping women with the knowledge they need to make an informed choice about the products they buy and the companies they support.'

'Our ethos is completely in line with that of Fashion Revolution, and we feel incredibly honoured to be the world’s first non-fashion brand to commit to these values, which are crucially important across all industries.'

So, make sure you read the back of the box before you pick up your preferred brand this cycle.

Why we shouldn’t be putting food in our vaginas (according to science)

Feb 16, 2018

by Rebecca O'Keeffe

While we sat through Fifty Shades Freed, we couldn't help but grimace when Jamie Dornan (with a mouth full of ice cream) decided to give Dakota Johnson a treat.

The first thing that came to our mind was nothing sexy – it was how unsanitary it must be to have ice cream in your vagina.

Seriously though, surely having dairy inserted into your vagina is a recipe for a nasty yeast infection?

Anyway, we decided to look into it, and discover the truth behind the myth – should we put food in our vaginas?

The gorgeous folks at Vulture spoke with a gynaecologist about the ins and outs (excuse the pun) of putting food in your lady region.

“Let me start by saying that this has never been studied in any kind of a scientific study. But in general, we don’t put food in the vagina,” said Lauren Streicher, director of the Northwestern Medicine Centre for Sexual Medicine.

In reference to the actual ice cream scene from Fifty Shades, Lauren said:

“Theoretically, could that throw off her normal flora and cause an infection? Absolutely. It’s sugar and milk, things that do not go in the vagina. But will that happen with a one-time thing? Who knows. The answer is: I don’t know, but in general, I’d say don’t put food in someone’s vagina.”

The next query? If there was to be a vagina friendly food, what would it be?

"So, for example, a banana that’s not peeled could be potentially safe," she says. "A cucumber could be potentially safe, as long as it’s not going to break off or scratch you. But there have not been good scientific studies done on putting food inside of you."

Spoiler alert: after the ice cream situation in the film, there's talk of an actual spoon being inserted somewhere.

“Cutlery is not good in the vagina,” I mean, no shit.

“Particularly knives and forks would be frowned upon. A spoon is a little different. If, for example, a gynaecologist put a spoon in the vagina, that’d be fine, because we would know how to put a spoon in the vagina without causing an injury. As a sweeping generalization, I’d say cutlery would be frowned upon in the gynaecologic world.”

So, ultimately, live your best life and do your thing – but don't be surprised if it results in an infection.

COMMENT: Why putting glitter in your vagina is a feminist issue

Jul 4, 2017

by Staff Writer

We live in a world where unrealistic body expectations are the norm.

From plastic-pumped celebrities who mould our beauty ideals to shop front mannequins with legs so lithe they could snap, the female form is constantly under scrutiny.

While usually these expectations have been confined to women's weight and body shape, the humble vagina is the latest body part with an altogether ridiculous beauty ideal being imposed upon it.

A post shared by Madám Butterflie (@madam.butterflie) on Jun 28, 2017 at 7:22am PDT

And by humble, I, of course, mean the amazing, life-giving, efficient, temperamental, and wondrous vagina.

A new product has been developed targeting owners of the aforementioned organs, and the 'intimacy capsules' aim is to prettify the vagina with – wait for it – glitter.

While we love a bit of glitter to adorn our festival faces, shoving a capsule full of the sparkly stuff up our vaginas does not sound all that appealing.

The capsules are designed to be inserted into the vagina, and your body apparently dissolves the capsule to create glittery emissions.

As well as making discharge and sexual secretions sparkle, the capsules promise to change the natural 'flavour' of the vagina to make it taste like 'candy. '

A post shared by kyle (@dudley_ky) on Jul 1, 2017 at 1:48pm PDT

'The flavour is sweet like candy but not overly sweet, just enough to make your lover feel that your Yara (water-lady or little butterfly) is what all vaginas are supposed to look, feel and taste like; soft, sweet and magical!'

The fact that this company insists that vaginas are supposed to taste like candy and secrete glitter is completely ridiculous, and reinforces negative stereotypes about women.

The concept implies that the natural operations of a vagina are sub-par, and that women should stride to be precious, magical little creatures with sparkly vaginas.

Why should the vagina have to deal with the pressure of beauty ideals involving glittery discharge?

What will be expected next, a post-coital fireworks show straight from the cervix?

A post shared by Madám Butterflie (@madam.butterflie) on Mar 31, 2017 at 1:15pm PDT

The issue here is the potential for unrealistic expectations, and this product's promotion of what a vagina 'should' be, ie candy-flavoured and embellished with tiny iridescent flecks.

And I get it, this product is a novelty boudoir item, but the implications are there.

There is also a health and safety issue, as honestly, these Passion Dust capsules sound like a yeast infection waiting to happen.

Oh, but if your body does respond badly to being stuffed with glitter, it's just one of the many 'joys of being a girl,' according to the company.

'Scientifically, you have already inhaled or ingested more hazardous 'glitter' and chemicals than what is in our capsules,' reads the website (we'd love to see the 'science' behind these claims).

A post shared by Madám Butterflie (@madam.butterflie) on Jun 15, 2017 at 9:30am PDT

'You have not gotten sick from those chemicals in your body because the amount that you have ingested is so small that it would take an extremely significant amount to cause you any bodily harm which is why these glitters are deemed FDA approved.'

'If you've ever had vaginal issues you had them before you used Passion Dust anyway.'

'If you've ever had a yeast infection I'm sure it wasn't caused by glitter, it just happens sometimes (Oh, the joys of being a girl!)," they add.

They also recommend that your 'special time of the month' should be given the glitter treatment too, so you can 'at least make it a pretty mess' while expelling your uterine walls.

I'll take my au natural clitoris over a glitoris any day, thanks.

Ozone treatments: So, women are pumping gas into their vaginas

Jun 15, 2017

by Amber Saunders

A cancer specialist at the University of Leicester has spoken out against a 'treatment' which involves the insertion of a cannula containing ozone gas into the vagina.

The procedure, which has been endorsed by alternative medicine business, Medical Wellness Associates in the United States, is said to benefit pelvic and labia pain while also aiding yeast, bacterial and viral infection.

According to the MWA, ozone gas is pumped into the vagina and purports to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effects on unhealthy cells.

However, not everyone is convinced by the treatment, with Professor Martin Dyer questioning the validity of the claims that the gas can treat various vaginal infections, and potentially cure cancer.

"Ozone is one of the most powerful oxidising agents known to man, and people have been looking to exploit this very powerful antioxidant action right since its discovery. But it's never amounted to anything," he said.

"As with all charlatanism, it gives the claim that it cures everything," he added.

According to The Independent, the FDA have echoed Professor Dyer's stance on the matter, asserting that ozone is a “toxic gas with no known useful medical application.”

This girl’s viral rant about her shower gel had our eyes watering

May 13, 2017

by Staff Writer

We've all experienced that unfortunate moment where a personal hygiene product has irritated our skin or gotten in our eyes, leading us to belive we will be left with a perpetual ailment in a moment of showering melodrama.

One girl had a similar experience when using a particular brand of Mint and Tea Tree shower gel, and took to Facebook to share her story after the tingly gel set her 'vagina ablaze.'

The hilarious but unfortunate story has been shared more than 138,000 times on the social media site, with the comments section playing host to some very comical and similar incidents.

'I took the Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel and began to work it into a lather. I applied it to first one leg, then the other, and shaved them diligently. (Yes, feel free to be impressed at my commitment to body defoliation at 6.45am on a Wednesday morning. I was too.) So far, so good,' she began the post.

'I washed my arms and shaved underneath them. I washed my neck, breasts, stomach and back. Thus far, it had been a positively first class bathing experience.'

'And then. AND THEN. Oh. Dear. God. MY VAGINA WAS ABLAZE.'

'For a moment, I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened. Had I repeated the never to be forgotten error when I managed to apply hair removal cream which was strictly not for front bottoms to my front bottom? Had a stray spark inadvertently set light to my pubic thatch?'

'BECAUSE IT F****** FELT LIKE IT.'

'Yes, your innocuous looking green bottle of so called shower gel, it turns out, is an absolute f****** liability. MY FLAPS WERE ON F****** FIRE. I had a quick look at the ingredients list to see if it contained gasoline. It did not.'

'There was a warning though. ‘KEEP AWAY FROM EYES.’ Keep away from eyes? KEEP AWAY FROM EYES? Frankly, my eyes were the least of my problems right now.'

'I frantically scrubbed my flaps, which by now felt as though they were being ceremoniously scrubbed by ants wearing ice skates laced with chilli sauce,' she continued (we're obsessed with this woman's turn of phrase).

'Some twelve hours later, my front bottom has finally calmed down, though may well be suffering from as yet unconfirmed PTSD. My eyes have eventually stopped watering.'

'May I suggest a rebranding of the front of your bottles of Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel? Something along the lines of the following: 7,927 tingling leaves which will accost your genitalia until it screams for mercy.’

'If nothing else, it will certainly stand out on the shelf.'

'Anyway, thanks for brightening up my morning. And my front bottom, which has never been so lively.'

We're crying, bit with laughter and with the thought of the sensation.