Effects of feminine hygiene products on the vaginal mucosal biome

Figures & data

Table 1. pH level along with ingredients listed on OTC product package

Products	Ingredients (from label)	Approximate pH
Vagisil Feminine Moisturizer	Water, glycerin, propylene glycol, hydroxyethylcellulose, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, disodium EDTA, polysorbate 20, methylparaben, propylparaben, Anthemis noilis (chamomille) flower extract, polyquatternium-5, citric acid, Aloe barbadensi, tocopheryl acetate	4
CareOne Douche	Purified water, benzoic acid, and vinegar	3
Personal lubricant	Propylene glycol, glycerin, Trifolium pratense flower extract (clover), methylparaben	5

Fig. 1.  Composite effect of vaginal products on L. crispatus CFU. Bars represent logarithmically transformed means and standard errors of the mean from triplicate CFU measurements at (A) 2 h and (B) 24 h for each vaginal product exposed to bacteria twice. P values <0.05 and <0.01 show significant differences from the medium control. n.s. = no significant difference from control.

Fig. 2.  (A) Effect of product on vaginal keratinocyte (Vk) viability assessed by MTT assay, (B) L. crispatus colonization assessed by Vk-associated CFU, and Vk IL-8 production in (C) the absence or (D) the presence of L. crispatus. Data represent means and SEM of biological triplicates. * = p<0.05, ** = p<0.01, *** = p<0.001, values in product-treated cultures lower than medium control; + = p<0.05, + + + = p<0.001, values in product-treated cultures higher than medium control.