The misconceptions around vaginal health abound. Anyone who has one, or even if they don't, seems to think they know best how to "maintain" it -- and sometimes this knowledge is more harmful than good.
Thanks to local docs Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl and Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng -- who regularly and liberally share some illuminating truths about sexual health on social media -- some of these misconceptions are being corrected and or dismissed.
Most recently, Dr van Zyl dispelled some myths about vaginal "firming" lotions.
There is no such thing as a "vaginal firming solution".
— Sindisiwe van Zyl (@sindivanzyl) November 26, 2017
Use this at your own risk.
Nizofa yaz. https://t.co/UHh7DcaGmI
And you would be shocked to learn what some women use to "tighten" their lady parts:
Where I work they insert tea bag,ice or snuff......Thanks for the education Doc
— God'sbabygirl (@lebzamendy_al) November 26, 2017
@2meleng
— Duchess of Newcastle (@Zama_Omuhle) November 27, 2017
I've read...
Bluestone
Aloe Vera cube
Alum stone
Chinese ntoz
Newspaper
Ice cube
Snuff
Smoothies(sweet)
Issa lot😭😭😭
Batho barona also use sunlight le jaysfluid go Peita,some even drink it.😭😭😭
— _PHOENIX (@GABAKWE_) November 26, 2017
READ: Your Vagina Does Not Need A Rough Scrub To Be Clean
In a previous thread of the same topic, Dr Mofokeng cautioned against the effects of some of these tightening mechanisms:
Laughs in "Vaginitis" and recurrent vaginal candidiasis https://t.co/nzZZ2bTs0I
— Dr T (@drtlaleng) November 26, 2017
Have removed a green fungating garlic clove from a vagina before. Because someone was advised by an "expert" that garlic ke makgona tsohle.
— Dr T (@drtlaleng) May 21, 2017
With so many products no wonder ladies are having all sorts of vaginal and womb infections. pic.twitter.com/K29SpP9hyi
— Refilwe (@IAMRefilweC) November 26, 2017
What happened to kegels?
— Ntokazi (@keneilweJoyce) November 26, 2017
Previously, Dr van Zyl pointed out that work must also be done in the home -- where older women teach younger women that a vagina must always smell 'fresh' and recommend some of these harmful tightening concoctions:
@PhilaniMkhize the myth busting must start with the elders. They are the ones that pass on this information about douching and so on...
— Sindisiwe van Zyl (@sindivanzyl) June 15, 2014
Dr T couldn't have said it best:
I want to ask why a vagina must smell like a sweet flower but I won't LOL
— Dr T (@drtlaleng) August 22, 2017
Thank you Dr van Zyl and Dr Mofokeng -- for schooling us on these very important matters.
