Women do not need ‘special cleaning’
Women who are in the habit of using all sorts of feminine wash as a means of keeping their private parts clean and tight risk damaging their reproductive organs in the process.
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Some women who have become addicted to vaginal wash, according to The Mirror investigation, believe it helps maintain the place and boost their confidence with their partners.
Pharmaceutical companies, through persuasive advertisement in the media, have won over women who massively patronise their products.
As a result, there is an increase in demand for feminine wash products on the market.
With about GH¢50, one can purchase any form of feminine wash - soap, liquid or cream - from most markets in the country.
What users of the wash are not aware of, however, is the damage it is causing to their reproductive organs.
Health experts are of the view that women’s reproductive organs are delicate and sensitive and do not need any special wash to make it clean.
The practice, according to the experts, is a mirage that tends to not only destroy the organs but create more health hazards for women.
Medical implications
In an interview with The Mirror, a Gynaecologist at the Ridge Regional Hospital in Accra, Dr Emmanuel Srofenyoh, explained that the vagina does not necessarily need any special soap or wash to make it clean.
He said the vagina had been designed with special bacteria which produce special acids to clean itself.
“The effect that comes with the use of vaginal or feminine wash is that it may change the acidic concentration in the vagina and it may also cause a rebound of vaginal infection,” Dr Srofenyoh warned.
He explained that some complications were likely to occur because some feminine wash might contain some harmful chemicals that could destroy some beneficial bacteria that protect vagina health.
The proper and preferable way of washing the vagina, Dr Srofenyoh advised women, should be the application of unscented soap and clean water.
He recommended unscented soap because any added scent of any type usually contained certain strong chemicals that might interfere with the vagina region.
The gynaenacologist insisted that women should not put soap inside the vagina but could use it to wash the outer parts.
He also advised that the vagina should be washed from the front to the back to prevent introducing bacteria from the anus into it.
“Women who desire to use feminine wash should consult doctors,” Dr Srofenyor advised.
Reasons for using feminine wash
A hairdresser at Adabraka who spoke to The Mirror said she patronised feminine wash to prevent bad odour and also to decrease excessive vaginal discharge.
Another lady who gave her name only as Ewusiwaa said: ‘I use feminine wash because l sweat down there. Even though the first time I used it, it itched, l do not feel it anymore.’
A student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), speaking about her ordeal said: “I bought a feminine wash, and the first day I used it, l experienced a severe burn and developed some rashes around my private part. It took the intervention of a gynaecologist at a hospital to save me.”