Women Warned Against Using Feminine Hygiene Products To Wash Vagina | HuffPost Life

Women Warned Against Using Feminine Hygiene Products

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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Women have been warned against the use of feminine hygiene products, after scientists found that incorrect usage can affect hormone levels.

When used internally, for "vaginal douching", these products can impact oestrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormone levels, researchers warn.

Women are being urged to use the products to wash externally (the vulva and labia) rather than internally (the vagina), as internal use can expose users to harmful chemicals known as "phthalates".

The study took urine tests from 739 women to detect phthalate exposure. The female participants were also questioned about their douching habits and use of other feminine care products.

Researchers found that the more a woman "douched", the higher her exposure to a form of diethyl phthalate (DEP).

In women who douched at least once a month, there were 52% higher concentrations of a form of phthalate found in their urine, and those who douched at least twice a month had 152% higher DEP concentrations in their urine than non-douchers.

Researchers also found no link between DEP and other feminine hygiene products such as tampons, sanitary towels, powders and sprays.

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"Douching is not medically required," said lead author, Ami Zota from George Washington University. "A healthy vagina has an effective self-cleaning system."

Zota added that doctors generally advise against douching as it can increase a woman's risk of bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pregnancy complications and potentially cervical cancer.

For those who want to keep downstairs clean and fresh, sex and relationships expert Tracey Cox recommends using an external, soap-free feminine wash.

"A healthy vagina is 'self-cleaning' and has a pleasant odour, so there's no need to douche," she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

"If you do feel the need to, there could be a problem, so see your GP for a check up rather than try to mask any important symptoms - like a smelly discharge.

"I'd strongly advise using an external soap-free feminine wash," she adds, "it seems to help stop recurrences of things like thrush or cystitis. But I'd strongly advise against vaginal douching under all circumstances."

Natika Halil, chief executive of sexual health charity, FPA, echoes Cox's thoughts.

"It’s not necessary for women to use a douche," she says, "the vagina is very good at keeping itself clean and flushing water into the vagina can upset the balance of the normal bacteria.

"Douching has been linked to bacterial vaginosis, which is the most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge."

She adds: "We’ve also heard of women using douches to prevent pregnancy after sex, or to prevent sexually transmitted infections – it is ineffective in both cases."

Oral Hygiene Mistakes

Brushing Too Much (Or Too Long)(01 of23)

According to Dr. Chase, a dentist and oral care specialist in New York, you can actually end up doing more harm than good if you brush your teeth too often or too long by eroding the enamel on your teeth. His suggestion is two to three times a day at the most. Most dentists recommend brushing for two minutes.

Going At It Too Hard(02 of23)

Though teeth are strong, gums are sensitive. Brushing them too hard can cause damage, for example, by pushing back the soft tissue and exposing the root area. Dr. Chase recommends using gentle pressure, brushing with bristles angled toward the gum line and using small circular motions. He also suggests electric toothbrushes, which evens out the pressure.

Brushing Right After Eating(03 of23)

Don't necessarily reach for the toothbrush after every meal, particularly after you've eaten something acidic. Acids can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, so let your mouth do what it does naturally and give saliva a chance to neutralize the acids for approximately 30 minutes after eating.

Sticking To Just Your Teeth(04 of23)

The bacteria that gives you bad breath (and potentially bad health) doesn't just stay on your teeth — it's sitting there on your tongue and cheeks as well. Make sure to take a swipe of those areas when you're doing your brushing.

Using The Wrong Toothbrush(05 of23)

Even though they may be sold in stores, you don't want to be using a medium or hard brush, says Dr. Chase. Look for toothbrushes that are labelled soft or extra soft, so as not to contribute to gum recession.

Keeping Your Toothbrush For Too Long(06 of23)

Dr. Chase suggests changing your toothbrush every three months, as that's approximately the time it takes for bristles to lose their flexibility and wear out. But don't worry — scientists say you don't need to replace it after you've been sick, since it's just your own germs on there.

Not Flossing(07 of23)

Flossing at least once a day will help get at areas your toothbrush doesn't reach (like, well, between your teeth). Dr. Chase says you should floss at least once a day, and more often if you tend to get food stuck in your teeth. Again, you'll want to do this gently, to avoid gum damage.

Not Drinking Water(08 of23)

Drinking water throughout the day can help get rid of food particles in the mouth. As well, says Dr. Chase, water keeps you hydrated, which helps in the production of saliva that keeps the mouth healthy and clean.

Not Getting Check-Ups(09 of23)

Sure, it might feel like you're constantly going to see your dentist, but given that it could help diagnose anything from oral cancer to TMJ, it's important to stay on top of your appointments. The Canadian Dental Association suggests an appointment every six months, but notes that depending on your oral care habits, your dentist may suggest coming in more or less.

WORST: Sugary Candies And Sweets (10 of23)

If you must have sweets, go for those that dissolve quickly in your mouth. Candies that stick around (like lollipops, caramels, jelly beans and hard candies), make it difficult for saliva to wash the sugar away. Snacks like cookies, cakes or other desserts contain a high amount of sugar as well, which can cause tooth decay over time. If you can't resist your sweets, eat them as dessert after a main meal instead of several times a day between meals. And when possible, brush your teeth after eating anything sweet. (credit:Gettystock)

WORST: Starchy, Refined Carbs (11 of23)

Chips, bread, pasta or crackers can be just as harmful to the teeth as candy. Starches made from white flour are simple carbohydrates and can linger in your mouth and break down into simple sugars. Bacteria, in turn, feed on these sugars and produce acid, which causes tooth decay. (credit:Gettystock)

WORST: Carbonated Soft Drinks (12 of23)

Not only does pop contain a high amount of sugar, but both regular and diet pop also contain the mineral phosphorus, as well as carbonation that wear away and thin the enamel on your teeth. Over time, drinking a lot of pop can also cause teeth to become darker and more yellow. Bottled iced teas and lemonade, for example, are some of the biggest offenders. (credit:Gettystock)

WORST: Fruit Juice (13 of23)

Although fruit is an important part of a healthy diet, fruit juice can cause problems for your teeth. If your favourite store-bought juices are loaded with sugar, your teeth can wear down. If you regularly drink fruit juices, use a straw to avoid a having a large amount of liquid in your mouth at once. (credit:Gettystock)

WORST: Citrus Fruits And Other Acidic Foods (14 of23)

It’s OK to eat these kinds of foods, but don’t suck on them or keep them in your mouth for a long period of time. The acids in foods like lemons and pickles, for example, can erode the enamel of your teeth. (credit:Gettystock)

WORST: Honey And Dried Fruits (15 of23)

Honey is delicious, but if it is consumed regularly it can cause tooth decay. The same goes for dried fruits like raisins, apricots, pineapple, etc. Dried fruit has highly concentrated sugars, and its gummy-like texture can cling to teeth just like candy.

WORST: Sports And Vitamin Waters (16 of23)

Even so-called health drinks are brimming with danger for your teeth. Sports drinks are acidic and full of sugar, while some vitamin waters contain as much sugar as candy bars. Chewable vitamins – from multivitamins to large chewable vitamin C tablets – also contain a concentrated acid that tends to cling to and between teeth.

BEST: Fibre-Rich Fruits And Veggies (17 of23)

High-fibre foods work like a detergent in the mouth, not only physically “scrubbing” the teeth, but also stimulating saliva flow. Saliva is the mouth’s first line of defense, because it neutralizes tooth-damaging acids, and contains calcium and phosphates that help rebuild minerals leached away by bacterial acids. Try fruits and vegetables with a high water content like apples, carrots and celery to clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.

BEST: Water(18 of23)

Are you really surprised with this one? When it comes to oral health, water is indispensable. It’s the primary component of saliva, and is important to both tooth and gum health.

BEST: Dairy Products (19 of23)

The calcium, phosphates and vitamin D in cheese, milk and other dairy products are important minerals for oral health. Your teeth are made mostly of calcium, and without enough in your diet, you lower your resistance and increase your risk of developing tooth decay and other problems. Are you vegan? There are many calcium-fortified juices, soy milks and other foods available that can supply as much calcium to your diet as milk does.

BEST: Sugarless Gum (20 of23)

Chewing sugarless gums or mints after meals and snacks can help rinse harmful acid off your teeth to help you preserve tooth enamel. On the flip side, chewing gum containing sugar may actually increase your chances of developing a cavity.

BEST: Green And Black Teas (21 of23)

Green and black teas contain compounds called polyphenols that interact with plaque and uppress harmful bacteria, preventing them from growing or producing tooth-attacking acid. This not only helps to prevent cavities, but also reduces inflammation and the chances of gum disease. (credit:Getty )

BEST: Nuts (22 of23)

Many nuts provide vitamins and minerals that help your teeth. These include peanuts (calcium and vitamin D), almonds (high levels of calcium that help both teeth and gums), cashews (stimulate saliva and help clean teeth) and walnuts (fibre, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc). (credit:Getty)

BEST: Other Healthy Foods (23 of23)

Food rich in vitamins A, C, and D as well as calcium and phosphorus, are all good for your teeth overall. Try eating more beef, eggs, fish, potatoes, spinach, fortified cereals, tofu, leafy green vegetables, beans, whole grains and poultry.

[H/T Huffington Post]

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