SPECIALTY CARE
The vulva hygiene is the first line of defence to protect from genital infections.1
Contaminants often collect in the vulvar folds. Increasing in moisture, sweating, menses and hormonal fluctuations influence vulvar microbial growth and species balance, potentially resulting in odour and vulvovaginal infection.
Genital skin is unique: it is covered by a thin stratum corneum, non-keratinized thus more permeable for microbial then the rest of body’s skin. Another characteristic of vulvar skin is the slightly more acidic pH compared to the rest of the body. Vulvar pH could be expected to fall between values of the skin and vagina’s pH (respectively, on average 4.7 and 3.5). For these reasons, it is advisable to take care of the vulvar skin by using intimate hygiene products that are specifically formulated and tested for this purpose.1
1Chen Y. et al. (2017) ‘Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: Global hygiene practices and product usage’, Women’s Health
Many infections of the female reproductive system are transmitted through sexual contact, while others occur due to an overgrowth of normally present bacteria or yeast within the vaginal environment.1
Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic organism that primarily targets the squamous cells lining the genital tract. It is considered one of the most widespread nonviral sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. It typically affects the lower genital tract in women and the urethra and prostate in men, with sexual transmission being the most common route. When present, the most frequent symptoms include vaginal inflammation, discomfort during intercourse, painful urination, and vaginal discharge—often diffuse, foul-smelling, and yellow-green—along with genital itching.2
1Biggs, W. S., & Williams, R. M. (2009). Common Gynecologic Infections. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 36(1), 33–51. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2008.10.002
2Kissinger, Patricia J. et al. Diagnosis and Management of Trichomonas vaginalis: Summary of Evidence Reviewed for the 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73(Supplement_1), 2021: S121–S127. doi:10.1093/cid/ciab563
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