In Brief: Can intimate wipes cause side effects?
Yes, intimate wipes may have side effects. The continuous use of intimate wipes may alter the pH of the sensitive areas and vaginal microflora. Low-quality wipes may cause skin irritation, burning, itching, and increase the risk of infections. Certain chemicals in the intimate wipes can be hormone-disruptors, irritants, and carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals may cause adverse effects.
Intimate wipes are the wipes that are useful to quickly wipe down the intimate area after exercising, menstrual leakage, or traveling when there is a crunch for water.
There are many intimate wipes in the market, and most of them are marketed as safe and better for intimate health.
However, women are unaware of the potential health concerns linked to these products. This article will throw more insights about the possible side effects of using intimate wipes.
Can intimate wipes cause side effects?
The intimate areas have evolved to be self-cleaning. It is sensitive and highly absorbent than typical skin. Therefore, the right intimate wipes should be used to avoid unwanted side effects.
A study showed that the participants who used the feminine wipes had twice the odds of reporting a UTI. 30% of the participants used feminine wipe once a day, and a similar percentage used them internally once a day for three months.
Most of them complained of itching, burning, irritation, allergic reactions, and rashes.
Constant use of intimate wipes may disrupt vaginal pH
The constant cleaning of private areas with intimate wipes may alter the natural pH of the vagina. It disrupts the protecting barrier that prevents unhealthy microbes from causing infection.
Using the wipes inside the vaginal area may be harmful when the ingredients from the wipes stick inside and get absorbed into the bloodstream.
Harsh chemicals in wipes may cause skin problems
The intimate wipes may have certain ingredients that are known or suspected endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, or allergens. The long term exposure to these chemicals are yet to be studied.
The various chemicals in the intimate wipes that may cause potential side effects are
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC)
IPBC is a well known akin allergen that may cause skin irritation and other skin problems.
Parabens
Most of the intimate wipes have parabens that are potential endocrine disruptors and play a role in causing fertility issues.
Formaldehyde releasers
Formaldehyde releasers release formaldehyde, which is a human carcinogen. It not only kills bacteria but causes allergic reactions. The potential effect of formaldehyde exposure to the vaginal region is yet to be studied.
Octoxynol-9
The wipes containing octoxynol-9 have been associated with the genital area’s irritation, increased vaginal discharge, and the potential effect on women’s fertility.
Fragrance
Most wipes have harmful chemicals for fragrances that may cause allergic skin reactions. Some of these chemicals are harsh irritants and cancer-causing agents.
Therefore, an individual should avoid using intimate wipes with these harsh chemicals. Also, intimate wipes do not degrade well and have reported clogging the water systems.
It may impact the environment in the long run. So, it is recommended to use intimate wipes made of biodegradable materials.
Summary
The excessive use and harsh chemicals in the intimate wipes may cause side effects, including skin irritation, dryness, and vaginal infections.
Always use intimate wipes made of natural ingredients and free from parabens, dyes, and fragrances.
More research studies are also required to connect the dots between chemicals in intimate wipes and their possible adverse effects.