In recent times, the awareness of intimate hygiene and its importance has spiked immensely. With demand comes supply, which means several such products have flooded the market catering to our various needs. One such product which has gained prominence in the last couple of years has been the intimate hygiene wipes. Touted as one of the effective ways to keep your intimate area clean, are they really worth all the hype? Let us understand whether the claims are true.
Intimate wipes are pre-moistened and are used to keep your vaginal area clean. They are mostly advertised to be used on the go, where clean water may not be available. According to Dr Asha Dalal, mentor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, “Intimate wipes are supposed to create an ideal pH level of the vagina and vulva. Normal vaginal pH varies from 3.8 to 4.4 and vulvar pH varies from 3.5 to 6.5 depending on the age of the women. The wipes are used to make women feel clean, wipe away discharge and improve odour which many women think is a problem. By making the pH right infection can be prevented.”
Benefits
Perhaps the most common benefit of intimate hygiene wipes is what they’re advertised for. Dr Dalal adds, “The only benefits observed are making women feel clean down there when a bath is not possible. They can also be used to wipe sweat and debris from the vulva after exercise or if there is a menstrual leakage. Some believe that they act as a moisturiser.”
Drawbacks
Health experts around the world have debated over the effectiveness of intimate wipes and their effect on not only menstrual health but overall wellbeing.
A study published in the medical journal, Microbial Ecology In Health And Disease shows that intimate hygiene products can harm the vaginal biome. Hygiene products like wipes and washes can hamper vaginal moisture and irritate the skin, further increasing the risk of infections.
Dr Dalal corroborates, “Basically the vagina is self-cleansing. No cream, wipes or douches are needed. In fact using these regularly and continuously upsets the normal bacterial balance and makes the vagina more susceptible to Bacterial Vaginosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). They can be irritating and lead to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) too.”
She suggests that plain water or very mild hypoallergenic soap may be used to clean the vulva. In fact water is the best option. Cleaning must be done from front to back.
“Many people use wipes regularly if there is a discharge or in the belief that it will act to prevent infections but that is not a fact. In fact they can be irritants. If you do have a discharge go and see a doctor,” advises Dr Dalal.
The Takeaway
Dr Dalal maintains that it is one’s personal choice if they want to use the wipes or not. She says, “Those who want to use wipes can do so occasionally, but they should have a natural fragrance, be free of irritating parabens, any sort of dyes. They should not change the pH levels of the vagina.” Every vagina has a distinct odour which is normal. So she suggests not going on wiping all the time and causing irritation as wipes cannot treat an infection. She reiterates that while there are benefits to the wipes, they are not always needed by every woman.
Also Read: Expert Speak: What Every Woman Should Know About Urinary Tract Infections
Also Read: 5 Menstrual Hygiene Tips You Should Know