“Give your vagina the sweet pleasure it deserves (and turn it into sweet pleasure)“. On Instagram, American reality star Kourtney Kardashian shared her brand new creation, “gummies” that would allow you to change vagina smell and give him”a fruity and sweet taste“. Made with pineapple, vitamin C and probiotics, these gummies would specifically target vaginal health and the pH levels of the vagina, promoting freshness and good taste while preventing urinary tract infections.
“Vaginal health is such an important part of a woman’s overall well-being (and it’s not talked about enough), which is why we’re so excited to launch it.“, boasts the influencer on the social network.
A promotion which – without much surprise – caused a reaction and the wrath of the general public and especially health professionals. “Another example of marketing useless projects to women to make them feel insecure enough to buy it“, comments a user.
Many gynecologists have also affirmed that there is no no scientific evidence the effectiveness of these “gummies”, indicating that the terms “probiotics” and “microbiome” are misused for marketing purposes, and above all that probiotics are not not absolutely necessary for good health. “I’m a doctor and let me tell you that you don’t need any products for your vagina unless it’s literally infected or you have a medical condition. […] NOTDon’t waste your money on the above product. It’s just a marketing scheme and all they want is your money by tricking you“, mentions another comment.
In a healthy person – someone who does not suffer from recurrent infections – there is no reliable scientific evidence that taking probiotics has a beneficial effect.said Dr. Brooke Vandelmolen, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, at the DailyMail. “Probiotics are also a catch-all term meaning they can contain a number of different bacteria and we are not sure if the ones in this supplement have been tested and show any benefit or if when taken taken orally, they will even reach the vagina.”
According to specialists, there is no dirty vagina: it cleans itself, except in the event of infection where drug treatment (and not “gummies”) may be necessary. While this product suggests that every woman should have the same taste, smell, vagina or discharge, many doctors caution that this is simply not realistic. All vaginas have an odor and taste that can vary during the menstrual cycle, physical activity or diet. The problem ? Many worry that these gummies will give women (and especially younger ones) the idea that a smell is a problem to be solved.
How to maintain good vaginal health?
The first piece of advice to follow is simply toavoid this kind of product that wants to modify the taste or smell of your vagina. Use soap and water to clean the outside and possibly an intimate pH neutral soap but nothing more and keep a healthy diet. If you feel that the smell or color of your secretions has changed, or you suffer from itching, see a doctor for vaginal swabs. But above all,don’t take celebrity advice“, indicate number of gynecologists on Instagram.
Besides being useless, gynecologists lament theantifeminist aspect of these probiotics. “Anyone who suggests your vagina isn’t fresh or needs a better taste is a misogynist and horrible person.“, concluded Dr. Jen Gunter, author of The Vagina Bible.
