Tema-Ghana, Nov. 3, MNN – Mr. Stephen Turreh, a Pharmacist at the Ashaiman Polyclinic has stated that the use of feminine hygiene products and vagina wash could lead to bacterial infections and subsequently increase the risk of contraction of cervical cancer.
Educating women on the effects of using such products, Mr. Turreh explained that such products contained unwanted chemicals that destroy the protective agents in the female reproductive organ when introduce there, making it prone to bacterial infections.
He said the reproductive organ has its own good bacteria that serve as protective agents to fight infections.
“Even when you use soap to wash the vagina, the place looks absolutely clean but that is not how it’s supposed to be, you only have to use water to wash down there,” he said.
Mr. Turreh also cautioned women against the use of some homemade concoctions to clean the vagina saying “getting something to cure something is very easy, but the problem is what it does to the body”
He advised women with issues with their reproductive organs such as discoloration and stench in discharges as well as itches to seek help from professional healthcare providers.
He added that the chemicals in the products rendered good bacteria less effective, a situation that put the female at a higher risk of having infections that could lead to the development of carcinogenic cells and subsequent development of cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer is said to be a type of cancer that starts in the cervix, which is a hollow cylinder that connects the lower part of a woman’s uterus to her vagina, Mr. Turreh stated during interaction with the media.
He said many women especially the young ones in a bid to either tighten their vaginas after birth or give them a pleasant smell turn to the use of some feminine hygiene products especially vagina wash which is often advertised on social media.
According to him, the female reproductive organ has inbuilt cleaning agents and natural discharges that were responsible for the clearing of dead cells and bacteria.
“When a woman gives birth, the PH level of the vagina is neutral, but once she starts menstruating, it becomes acidic and that acidity is for a purpose, so any microorganism that enters there that is harmful to the body will be taken care of by the acid environment,” he said.
The Pharmacist mentioned that aside from cervical cancer, other related diseases one could be contracted through the use of feminine hygiene products were Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STIs), especially when using douching with devices other people had already used, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and a lot more.
“As soon as you introduce the chemicals into that space, you get that effect, it will start destroying that natural defensive mechanism which protects the reproductive organ from contracting some diseases.
