Won't somebody please think of the vaginas?!
It feels like almost every week a new trend emerges which sees women putting random items in their vaginas in a quest for wellness.
But, time and time again, experts have warned against this. The vagina is a very sensitive area and, except in cases of genuine medical complications, does not external ointments or products to stay healthy.
However, be they a type of food or a product on sale, it seems that a sizeable number women of are tempted to try these new fads out. Or, well, in.
So, in no particular order, here are some of the things that women put in their vaginas, even though they are told not to...
1. Cucumbers
Last year we found out that women have been putting
cucumbers in their vaginas.
There is nothing sexual about this trend, it's purely for 'cleansing' purposes.
Aptly named the cucumber cleanse, the process involves the outer skin of a cucumber being removed and then the remainder of the naked cucumber being inserted into the vagina. It's then twisted around for 20 minutes. The guidelines state to do it until it's warm.
A Canadian doctor has now spoken out against this cleanse and is urging women to step away from the cucumbers.
Dr. Jen Gunter - a gynaecologist who has previously garnered headlines for speaking out about irresponsible wellness practices, see below - warned women about the dangers involved with such a cleanse. She says that this sort of routine could lead to serious side effects, such as increased risk of contracting HIV or gonorrhea if exposed. Doing any sort of cleanse on your vagina, in particular using a cucumber, can harm the good bacteria and disrupt the mucosal surface.
Dr Jen says she's 'screaming' the message that vaginas are not dirty and therefore don't need to be cleaned. So, basically, save your cucumbers for your gin.
2. Yogurt
Last year, a warning was issued to women to not put yogurt in or near their vaginas. Apparently, some gals have been soaking tampons in yogurt and inserting them.
The reason? They are using the dairy product in a bid to cure thrush. You see yogurt contains lactobacilli, and while lactobacilli is a bacteria that is good for your vagina and helps to treat thrush, the one found in yogurt is a different strain.
It's been somewhat of a myth for years now, with women believing that if they use natural sugarfree yogurt that their thrush would go away.
In short, no, no it won't.
You need to go to the chemist and get some medication for it.
3. Ozone gas
This has to be one of the weirder ones but women have been known to pump
toxic ozone gas into their vaginas.
There's a wellness treatment doing the rounds where you insert a cannula into the vagina and pump ozone gas throughout. According to the
Medical Wellness Associates, it is a painless procedure that benefits pelvic and labia pain while also warding off yeast, bacterial and viral infections.
However, the Federal Drug Administration says that ozone gas is toxic and has 'no known useful medical application'. Still weird and also possibly deadly: doctors have warned that it could have potentially fatal consequences should a bubble of the gas get into the bloodstream.
4. Wasps' nests
Apparently some women are grinding up wasps' nests and inserting them into their vaginas, in the hopes of giving their lady bits a face lift.
Let's just let that sink in.
Yes, the “oak galls” - a disgusting sounding combination of tree bark and wasp secretions - are currently for sale on Etsy and are said to promote 'women’s health and wellbeing'. The galls are said to tighten and clean the vagina, and make for a better sexual experience.
However, these claims are not supported with any type of scientific research. Many gynecologists are now warning women to stay away from these types of products.
5. Vicks vapour
Another worrying trend is women putting
Vicks VapoRub on their vaginas. Somehow, they have been led to believe that the VapoRub could cure thrush and other types of vaginal issues.
But, in reality, it doesn't - and it can actually make things a lot worse.
The use of VapoRub on vaginas seems to have stemmed from some online blogs which have been telling women to use it to cleanse their vagina and even to give it a different odour. It's also been given as a suggestion to spice things up in the bedroom.
As we've learned before, the vagina is a very sensitive area with a delicate bacterial balance. If anyone feels they need some sort of ointment or cream for an issue they are having, then a doctor is best placed to advise on that.
vapour is a godsend when we have a chesty cough or cold, but that's where it ends.
6. Vitamin E
Khloe Kardashian once advised women to put vitamin E in their vaginas. In her words: 'No joke: vitamin E may strengthen vaginal lining!!! Moisturize your labia and vagina with vitamin E oil to combat dryness and soothe irritation.'
No, Khloe it most certainly does not strengthen your vaginal lining. Some women can benefit from putting vitamin E around their vagina if it is dry but that's it. There is absolutely no reason to put it inside the vagina.
If we've learned anything today it's to leave vaginas alone.
7. Jade Eggs
The original of the vaginal wellness species. Gwyneth Paltrow is behind this one, after she started selling these 'yoni eggs' on her website and told women that they could hold them inside their vaginas all day long. Her reasoning? She said it helps 'increase chi, orgasms, vaginal muscle tone, hormonal balance, and feminine energy in general'.
However, leading experts have said the opposite. Gynaecologist Dr Jen Gunter wrote a scathing
open letter to the star slamming the product and Gwynnie's advice to women. She said:
"I read the post on GOOP and all I can tell you is it is the biggest load of garbage I have read on your site since vaginal steaming."
The doctor explained that while she feels women 'have more compelling health interests right now', she had been asked by so many people about Gwyneth's 'vaginal rocks' that she felt obliged to share her thoughts on the matter.
