The role of intimate hygiene in women’s health maintenance

Khryanin A.A.; Russkikh M.V.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/klinderma202524031335

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Abstract:

Hygiene skills are an essential part of a human healthy lifestyle. COVID-19 pandemic updated the importance of adhering to basic hygiene rules that reduce the risk of infectious diseases transmission. Intimate hygiene is also an integral part of human modern life. Vaginal microbiome is a dynamic biosystem consisting of different microorganisms colonising the vagina. Currently, it is considered that the sign of a “healthy” vaginal microbiome is the dominance of Lactobacillus spp. which acidify the vaginal medium and protect it against pathogenic infection. The reduction of lactobacilli proportion in vaginal microbiome due to various factors can lead to adverse consequences for woman’s reproductive health, for example to bacterial vaginosis, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections occurrence and preterm birth. Inadequate intimate hygiene with the use of aggressive alkaline agents, as well as vaginal douching can contribute to the vaginal dysbiosis predisposing to pelvic inflammatory diseases. This review presents an analysis of scientific studies devoted to the impact of intimate hygiene on women’s health. It should be noted that adequate and regular intimate hygiene decrease the risk of developing sexually transmitted infections, vaginosis and vaginitis.

Keywords:

intimate hygiene

women’s health

vaginal microbiome

vaginal infections

lactic acid

activated glycyrrhizinic acid

Authors:

Khryanin A.A.

Novosibirsk State Medical University;
Association of obstetrician-gynecologists and dermatologists

ORCID: 0000-0001-9248-8303

Russkikh M.V.

Novosibirsk State Medical University

ORCID: 0000-0003-4957-0154

Received:

01.07.2024

Accepted:

10.03.2025

Close metadata

References:

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