Vaginal ‘health gummies’ - Why the trend for improving our vaginas is harmful

The Lemme Purr gummies are the latest product claiming to improve our vaginal health, but they aren’t the first. From gummies and supplements to gems, the women’s wellness market is crammed full of similar products - many of which make claims that aren’t backed up by science.

In 2018, Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop was fined $145,000 (£112,000) for making false claims about their jade and rose quartz ‘vaginal’ eggs. Goop said the stone eggs, which are inserted into the vagina, could balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles, among other benefits - promises widely dismissed by gynaecologists as being unscientific.

The problem with such products is that they aren’t always just a waste of money. Putting unnecessary items into your vagina can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria, which can lead to infections and other problems. And the claims made by wellness companies - including that vaginas need to be cleansed with gemstones, or can be freshened with sweets - propagate health misinformation and myths around women’s health.

Vaginal products may affect healthy bacteria

One of the main problems with vaginal wellness products is that they risk upsetting the fine balance of bacteria in the vagina. The vagina is full of 'good' bacteria, known as the vaginal microbiome, which is important for genital health¹. However, putting unnecessary items into your vagina risks the spread of bad bacteria, which can lead to problems.

Dr Leila Frodsham, consultant gynaecologist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says: “The vaginal microbiome is a collective term for the microbes or bacteria found in the vagina. The vagina has a delicate and healthy balance of bacteria which help to keep it free from infections such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis.

“There is a growing commercial market of feminine hygiene products,” adds Frodsham. “Some of these can actually disrupt the microbiome, and may cause bacterial vaginosis, thrush and in some cases vulvitis - inflammation of the vulva - that can cause sexual pain.”

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by the Candida species of fungus. Although it usually lives inside the vagina, it is kept under control by our bacteria - but if the balance of this bacteria changes, it can multiply and cause symptoms like white discharge, itching, irritation and soreness.

Bacterial vaginosis, which also happens if harmful bacteria overtake good bacteria in the vagina, can lead to itchiness, discharge and an unpleasant smell. If untreated, it can increase the risk of getting an STI - and it has been linked to pregnancy complications such as premature birth.

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Myths about vaginal cleanliness

The wide variety of vaginal health products on offer highlight another issue - often, they feed into anti-feminist myths surrounding the vagina, including that they are unclean. Products that claim to improve the ‘taste’ - like the Lemme Purr gummies - send out the message that the vagina is unacceptable without cosmetic improvement.

Frodsham points out that this kind of advertising spreads the myth that the vagina is dirty, which distorts our body image and makes women feel that there is something wrong with them.

All vaginas smell different, depending on your bacteria, hormones, hygiene, underwear and sweat, among other factors. If your vagina has a strong or unpleasant odour - or if the smell is different to what you’re used to - it may be the sign of an infection and you should speak to your doctor

“As well as being expensive, the marketing around some products perpetuates unhelpful myths about vaginal cleanliness,” says Frodsham.

“The vagina is self-cleaning and it is normal for each vagina and vulva to vary in appearance and odour. There is no evidence that vaginal gummies can alter vaginal taste, or that they will not harm the delicate vaginal microbiome and cause women to have difficulties.”

False marketing

Finally, the health claims made by many brands and products are unreliable at best - and at worst, they are entirely false. So potential health problems aside, they may well be a waste of money.

Kardashian’s gummies contain a probiotic called Bacillus coagulans, which it states is ‘clinically tested’. Although studies suggest it may influence the diversity of good intestinal and vaginal bacteria, it's not known whether a supplement taken by mouth can have any effect ³.

The claims made by brands selling jade eggs are also not strong, including that the items were used vaginally in ancient Chinese culture. In 2019, a group of researchers reviewed more than 5,000 jade objects from Chinese art and archeology collections to explore the merits behind this claim⁴. They found nothing, concluding that it was likely a myth for marketing purposes.

How to look after your vagina

Vaginal health is important and vaginal discharge is normal. The signs of a problem include a fishy smell, white, yellow or thick discharge, itching, pain, bleeding that isn't linked to periods and blisters or sores. If you're worried about any changes, you should speak to your GP.

When washing, use plain water or products designed for the vaginal area which are pH-balanced. Avoid douching - a douche is a device that sprays water into the vagina to remove vaginal secretions - as it can disrupt the pH.

Ultimately, questions or concerns about vaginal health should be left to doctors - not celebrities. “We would encourage women to always consult their healthcare professional if they notice any changes to their vaginal discharge that is unusual for them, or with any concerns that they have about their vulva and vaginal health,” says Frodsham. “They will be able to advise whether any treatment is required.”

Further reading

1. Chee et al: Vaginal microbiota and the potential of Lactobacillus derivatives in maintaining vaginal health.

2. Shimaoka et al: Association between preterm delivery and bacterial vaginosis with or without treatment.

3. Tsimaris et al: Alleviation of vulvovaginitis symptoms: can probiotics lead the treatment plan?

4. Gunter et al: Vaginal jade eggs: Ancient Chinese practice or modern marketing myth?