|
Women who use petroleum jelly, products like
Vaseline, or oils as vaginal lubricants may be more
prone to infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and
candidiasis infections, researchers have found.
Between 2008 and 2010 researchers from the
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) followed
141 sexually-active women between the ages of 18 and
65 to learn more about the types of vaginal products
they used, how often they used the products, and
whether the products might be associated with
infections.
The women completed questionnaires about their
sexual habits, vaginal health, and use of vaginal
products at the start of the study and again at the
conclusion, twelve months later. They were also
examined for bacterial vaginosis and yeast
infections.
After analyzing the data, the researchers found the
following:
Almost half the women reported inserting a product
(other than a tampon) in their vagina. Forty-five
percent said they had washed their vagina in some
way, such as by douching.
A commercial sexual lubricant was the most common
product inserted, with 70% of the women reporting
this practice.
Seventeen percent of the women said they inserted
petroleum jelly. Thirteen percent used oils.
Women who inserted petroleum jelly, products like
Vaseline, in the vagina, were over twice as likely
to develop bacterial vaginosis as those who didn’t.
Using oils was associated with a higher rate of
yeast infections. Forty-four percent of the women
who used oils had yeast infections, compared to 5%
of the women who didn’t use oils.
The study did not show that petroleum jelly and oils
caused the infections.
Why might these products be associated with
infections? The reason may be linked to the balance
of “good” and “bad” bacteria typically found in the
vagina.
Normally, there is more “good” bacteria than “bad.”
However, certain products may upset the ratio. For
example, bacterial vaginosis occurs then when there
is more “bad” bacteria than “good.” Typical symptoms
include pain, a discharge, itching, and burning. But
most women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms.
While bacterial vaginosis is fairly common and can
be treated with antibiotics, it can still have
serious complications. Women with bacterial
vaginosis are at higher risk of developing
sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), like HIV,
herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Bacterial
vaginosis can also lead to pelvic inflammatory
disease.
Women using vaginal products are advised to read
labels carefully and seek a doctor’s advice if they
have any questions. Some products, such as petroleum
jelly, are not meant to be used internally.
The study has been published in the April 2013
edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
For more information
Intravaginal Practices and Risk of Bacterial
Vaginosis and Candidiasis Infection Among a Cohort
of Women in the United States
(MDN)
|
