Female intimate hygiene: a differentiated approach in an age-specific perspective
Stenyaeva N.N., Sattarova V.V., Pashkevich K.I., Streltsova Kh.I., Khritinin D.F., Stenyaev E.Yu.
Female intimate hygiene is a prerequisite for a healthy lifestyle and it serves to maintain the physiological condition of the vulva and perineum.
The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the literature data on age-related characteristics of the epithelium, microbiota, and pH of the vulva in women. The study demonstrates the differences in the state of the epithelium, its hydrolipid mantle and stratum corneum in girls and women of reproductive and postmenopausal age. The microbiota and pH of the vulva in women change significantly over the course of life, therefore it is necessary to differentiate the choice of intimate hygiene products (IHPs). The analysis of the chemical safety of IHP properties showed that it is preferable to use surfactants with low irritation potential and moderate foaming. Differentiated selection of IHP components is recommended for women of different ages. IHPs with emollients, no allergens, and pH of 6.0–7.0 are advised to girls before the onset of puberty. Soothing additives in IHPs and pH of 5.0–6.0 are necessary for pre-pubertal girls. IHPs for reproductive-aged women should include prebiotics and have a pH value of 4.5–5.0. Late postmenopausal women are recommended to use IHPs containing emollients and having a neutral pH of 6.0–7.0, which protects against the drying effect of surfactants.
Conclusion: It is necessary to differentiate the selection of IHPs for women taking into account their age, the state of the epithelium and microbiota of the vulva.
Authors’ contributions: Stenyaeva N.N. – review of publications on the subject of the article, analysis of the obtained data, development of the article plan, writing the manuscript; Sattarova V.V. – review of publications on the subject of the article, analysis of the obtained data, manuscript writing; Pashkevich K.I., Khritinin D.F. – editing and analysis of the obtained data; Streltsova Kh.I. – search for the literature data; Stenyaev E.Yu. – collecting the data.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interests.
Funding: The study was performed without sponsorship.
For citation: Stenyaeva N.N., Sattarova V.V., Pashkevich K.I., Streltsova Kh.I., Khritinin D.F., Stenyaev E.Yu. Female intimate hygiene: a differentiated approach in an age-specific perspective.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (8): 160-168 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.183
Keywords
intimate hygiene
intimate hygiene product
vulvar pH
vulvar microbiota
vulvar epithelium
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Received 31.07.2024
Accepted 05.08.2024
About the Authors
Natalya N. Stenyaeva, Dr. Med. Sci., Senior Researcher at the Department of Andrology and Urology, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(903)538-03-34, nataliasten@mail.ru,https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6495-3367
Valeria V. Sattarova, Chief Specialist, Biorhythm Laboratory LLC, 620091, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Front Brigades str., 19, +7(912)244-30-79, SVV73@yahoo.com
Kazimir I. Pashkevich, Dr. Sci. (Chemistry), Professor, Director, Biorhythm Laboratory LLC, 620091, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Front Brigades str., 19, +7(343)214-80-50,
info@bior.ru
Dmitry F. Khritinin, Corresponding Member of RAS, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Faculty of Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119991, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8-2, +7(495)609-14-00,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9107-2357
Khristina I. Streltsova, technologist, Biorhythm Laboratory LLC, 620091, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Front Brigades str., 19, +7(912)243-73-52, formulator@bior.ru
Evgeny Yu. Stenyaev, 5th year student of the Medical Faculty of Foreign Students of the Educational Institution, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, +7(905)579-73-81, https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9301-7535
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