Intimate health alert: gynecologist urges caution with common items

Staci Tanouye, a renowned gynecologist known for sharing essential medical information on social media, has recently drawn particular attention to some popular drugstore items. Her advice, often shared in videos, can help women prevent intimate infections.

She emphasizes the significance of appropriate intimate area care, alerting women to be circumspect when choosing specific products. "I would never use them," asserts Dr. Tanouye.

In a bid to broaden awareness, Dr. Tanouye uses her TikTok platform to explain the hazards of using scented tampons, pads, and pantyliners. These items, she states, can have detrimental effects on our health, as she elaborates in her informational videos.

"I would never use any scented or fragranced pads or tampons. This includes those with essential oils!" she warns.

As it turns out, any "fragrance-infused" products can cause inflammation and irritation to the sensitive skin in intimate areas. Even products tagged as "for sensitive skin" may contain potential irritants. This underlines the importance of thoroughly reading product labels. Still, her caution extends beyond these items.

What other items would you not find in Dr. Tanouye's bathroom? Moist wipes top the list. She advises that they are not deserving of our trust, because they can irritate the skin and disrupt its natural protective layer. She also warns against frequent use of vaginal suppositories due to their potential for serious side effects.

"We use boric acid suppositories in very specific situations of recurrent and resistant bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections," she explained, adding that prolonged use can eradicate the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina.