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Lume body wash for private parts4/9/2024 ![]() ![]() I questioned the imperfect doctor’s office diagnosis of BV. Taking the science in a whole new direction This is very consistent with what I observed in my own practice. Physicians misdiagnose BV 61% of the time and yeast vaginitis 73% of the time! Pregnancy, ovulation, and normal post-menopausal discharge all can register a pH greater than 4.5…Īs you can see, many normal activities and part of being a woman can cause a pH greater than 4.5 – not just when something’s wrong.Īnd often, the patient goes home with an antibiotic and the insecurity of feeling like she has something wrong with her. Not only that, menstrual blood increases the vaginal pH. This could indicate BV and other infectious conditions, but the pH can also increase after recent intercourse. It is very subjective, and far too often it’s based on a hunch the physician may have.įor instance, if a physician detects a fishy odor during the examination, the assumption is BV right off the bat.Īnother criterion physicians use to diagnose BV is a vaginal pH greater than 4.5. The bottom line is, BV is an imperfect diagnosis. It is composed of 4 criteria, and 3 of the 4 must be present in order to make the “diagnosis.” Kameelah Phillips, OB-GYN, at Calla Women’s Health in New York.Here’s where the imperfect diagnosis comes inĭoctors use Amsel’s Criteria to diagnose bacterial vaginosis in the office. “It’s important to minimize ingredients like scents which can cause dryness and alter the pH of the vagina, leading to irritation or infection,” says Dr. While you don’t need feminine hygiene products, if you really want to cleanse, moisturize, or freshen up your nether bits between showers, there are products you can purchase.Īnything you use on the vulva can easily enter the supersensitive vaginal canal. Sherry Ross, OB-GYN and author of “ She-ology” and “ She-ology, the She-quel.” OK, so what are feminine hygiene products for? “Cleaning the vulva should be a part of your daily hygiene routine,” says Dr. The vulva, on the other hand, does need to be washed. Kimberly Langdon, OB-GYN, medical adviser at Medzino, a digital health company based in California. “ Douching actually increases the risk of pushing STIs upward toward the fallopian tubes and can cause pelvic inflammatory disease,” says Dr. Washing inside or douching the vaginal canal can disrupt this natural balance, resulting in irritation, bacterial vaginosis, or other vaginal infections. At this pH, the vagina can prevent “bad” bacteria from thriving, Chang says. That would be a pH value of 3.5 to 4.5, which is slightly acidic. “A healthy vagina has an ecology of bacteria that helps it maintain the right pH,” Chang explains. Renjie Chang, OB-GYN, co-founder of sexual health startup NeuEve. The vagina doesn’t need to be washed or wiped or treated because the vagina is a self-maintaining organ, explains Dr. Here’s the thing: None of these products are necessary. But for this article, we’re talking specifically about products designed for vulva (the external part of your genitalia) and vaginal (the internal canal) use, including: No, you don’t need genital hygiene productsĪgain, the category “feminine hygiene” is quite broad. ![]() Companies are banking on the idea that most people with vaginas have internalized this message and experience deep shame about their scent. Peruse the toiletry section of any pharmacy, grocery store, or gas station and you’ll see the phrase “feminine hygiene” plastered over lotions and potions, wipes, oils, and more.īut the term is a marketing tactic used to appeal to buyers of:īut companies aren’t targeting any buyer here - they’re targeting cisgender women buyers.Ĭisgender women and other individuals with a vagina have long been taught that their vaginas are smelly, dirty caverns. ![]()
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