Washing our vulva: should we be doing that?
Starting with the washes. There’s quite a few out there, but the ones we kept seeing on our TikTok were for Femfresh.
These washes are supposed to be used on the outside, your vulva. It's not a good idea to use these on the inside, your vagina. More on that later…
But here’s where - if you're thinking like me - something doesn't stack up… isn’t our vagina and vulva self-cleaning? In which case, why would we need a wash?
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NHS GP Dr Aziza Sesay (@talkswithdrsesay) cleared it up for us. The vagina is self-cleaning, maintaining a perfect environment or ‘microbiome’ that stops infection. The vagina is slightly acidic, which also helps prevent infections.
As for the vulva, Dr Sesay told us that we can clean it, but all we *need* is water.
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If you do really want to wash with soap, it’s best to use one that is unscented and doesn’t have loads of chemicals in it.
Nancy Best, Women’s Health Expert and founder of Ladies Who Crunch (@ladieswhocrunch_), told us that women are now starting to incorporate these products into their daily wellness routine - much like their skincare.
“Our vaginal area is like a sponge”
Aiysha Radcliffe is the founder and CEO of PlushV, a plant-based feminine care brand.
Like Dr Sesay, she told us that we need to be super careful about what goes inside the vagina, and the use of chemicals in that area.
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Femfresh is one of the big brands producing these ‘intimate washes’. The hashtag #Femfresh has over 70 million views on TikTok alone - and creators seem to have mixed views on its effectiveness.
We asked Femfresh about that claim:
“Whether that is simply using water or using a product to clean the vulva, we want to educate women on the options available and ensure that if they choose to use a product, they use one specifically created to care for the intimate skin"
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"Femfresh™ Washes & Wipes are formulated for everyday external use and match the natural pH of intimate skin to help maintain the balance of skin’s natural microbiome"
Probiotic pills: are they good for vaginal health?
The idea behind probiotics is that they introduce good bacteria to that area, and by doing so, can help prevent infections.
Lots of the TikTok videos we’ve seen talk about probiotic pills helping to stop that ‘fishy’ smell, and making claims about the pills preventing infections like thrush or bacterial vaginosis.
But Dr Sesay told us that there’s not enough robust evidence - yet - on the effects of probiotic pills on vaginal health.
“One thing that we need to remember is that everybody’s vaginal microbiome is different… there’s still a lot of research that needs to be done” - Dr Sesay
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There’s also concerns that the probiotic pills contain bacterial groups which aren’t necessarily the ones found in the vagina - and even, whether it’s reaching the vaginal area after you swallow it.
If you are getting recurring infections and smells that are different to *your* normal (everyone’s microbiome is different) then it’s best to see a doctor.
Dr Sesay told us that things like our diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, peeing after sex, drinking plenty of water, and wearing breathable underwear, can also help maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome.
We reached out to Wellgard Vitaflora, one of the brands all over our ‘For You’ pages.
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They told us that…
“The scientific trials supporting Wellgard Vitaflora’s formula have been rigorously peer-reviewed and published"
"It's important to clarify that Wellgard Vitaflora is categorised as a Food Supplement, not a medicine. The consistent repeat purchases we experience underscore its efficacy. Upon trying the product, our customers typically experience a difference within just a few days which is why we have a very high volume of repeat purchase"
“Profiting off women’s insecurities”
So here’s a question. Can you name a few ‘male hygiene’ products? I found myself struggling…
The point being that a lot of these so-called ‘hygiene’ products are targeted at women.
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“It’s part of a much bigger issue which is very gendered, around the idea that women need to change… and that you need to buy products to ‘better’ yourself” - Nancy Best, Women's Health Expert and founder of Ladies Who Crunch.
This idea is one that Aiysha mentions too. How some companies are ‘profiting off women’s insecurities’. We are made to feel bad about how we look or smell, so we buy stuff to correct that.
That’s why it's worth questioning what - and why - we’re spending money on these things.
A TikTok spokesperson said:
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“Our Community Guidelines prohibit content which spreads medical misinformation, and we have strict policies in place for what can and can’t be promoted or sold on TikTok which all merchants and advertisers must adhere to"
"With regards to vaginal and menstrual health, we do not permit the sale of intimate deodorants, vaginal cream or menopause cream and sprays on TikTok Shop"
A final thing… if you’re not sure, see your doctor
A big thank you to Dr Sesay, Nancy Best, and Aiysha Radcliffe for speaking to us.
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If you do want any more information, there’s nothing wrong with having a scroll on social media. There are many fantastic doctors, just like Dr Sesay (@talkswithdrsesay), who are sharing health and wellbeing tips on their platforms.
But Dr Sesay reminded us just to check they’re reputable sources. You can also find more information on the NHS website about things like probiotics and bacterial vaginosis.
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And if you’re concerned about your symptoms, it’s always best to get a medical opinion.