Everyday choices may significantly affect a woman’s sense of well-being in the vulvovaginal area. “Well-being,” to most, means being completely comfortable and unaware of the vulva with nothing pinching, stinging, itching, irritating, swelling, or causing pain. Women make choices about devices, products, articles of clothing or cleansing techniques based on cultural mandates (what their mothers taught them) or current styles (what their friends, TV programs, or internet and magazines are telling them) without thought about the impact on their comfort in general and specifically without respect to their vulvar comfort. Occasionally, the patient, even with encouragement, does not mention a practice that she thinks of as normal such as wearing urine protection pads or thong-type underwear or even the shaving of her pubic hair. (One post-menopausal woman who came in for irritation had been using a daily tampon for over 30 years!) Many of these practices are harmless for some women but detrimental for others.

Taking notice of what the woman is wearing to the visit is a first step for the clinician evaluating her. Tight jeans, even those made to stretch with Lycra, while stylish, can cause irritation from a thick inseam and cause problems of occlusion. Daily panty liners may chafe and cause dampness that can adversely affect the skin. Use of medicated products may cause irritant reaction. In addition, allergic conditions appear to run in families and cluster in individuals themselves. A person with one allergic or irritant reaction is more likely to have others. Education of women about what may help at this basic level should not be underestimated. Sometimes, the simplest answer is the best one. The first handout we give out in our practice is the General Vulvar Care handout. (General vulvar care handout for patients).

Either baths or showers are acceptable, but prolonged soaking in hot water dries the vulva, and is to be avoided.

Some women do not wish to touch themselves and may do a cursory washing job. There is no medical evidence that smegma accumulation is a source of irritation or infection. The concern for infection, however, may lead some women to scrubbing with a cloth, sponge, or abrasive material that can increase irritation. Gentle fingertip washing is suggested. Scrubbing is never needed. A handheld shower is invaluable for any woman, especially when she is having difficulty reaching the anogenital area.

Soap is not considered necessary. Anti-bacterial soaps are not usually necessary. A safe soap is Dove® bar with 50% cold cream or Cetaphil lotion cleanser®. Ivory® is pure soap and therefore drying. Soaps with essential oils such as lavender, though natural, can be irritating. Aloe, though natural, is also highly sensitizing to some women. Body washes contain multiple chemicals with the potential for triggering contact dermatitis.

Pubic hair is there to cushion the mons and labia majora during sexual activity. Yet, many women choose to remove the hair for a number of cosmetic reasons. In most cases, this is a personal choice, and not harmful if properly done according to the type of hair. In some women, wiry hair can work its way under the hood of the clitoris causing irritation. In rare cases, pubic hair has caused a tourniquet around the glans clitoris. Women with coarse, wiry hair are encouraged to clip it short with scissors. Do this in the shower to prevent hairs from being entrapped. After drying, retract the hood of the clitoris and wipe with oil on a cotton ball to ensure complete removal of the hair. Even a single hair stuck under the prepuce can cause considerable discomfort.

Any form of pubic hair removal has the potential to cause folliculitis and/or skin irritation in susceptible women. Shaving in the direction of the hair’s growth with plenty of lather and a man’s mobile-headed razor works for many women but shaving is a significant cause of folliculitis, especially for African American women. Laser is an excellent choice for them. Waxing can cause irritant reaction and mild folliculitis for some. Depilatories may cause contact reactions. Hair that is growing back in may be itchy and irritating.

Cleansing after each urination or defecation can be a contributor to anogenital irritation. Washing with drying soap after each urination or bowel movement may irritate. The anogenital area should be cleansed no more than once or twice daily. Washing with soap strips away natural oil so that the skin dries out.

Undetected fecal soilage or incomplete removal of feces often leads to anal itching and perianal dermatitis. Plain white toilet paper without aloe or scent is recommended. Repeated wiping with dry toilet paper can abrade the anal area. Wet wipes contain multiple chemicals with the potential for irritation after long-term use; an industry-sponsored study of safety of wet wipes was limited to four weeks.¹ Best practice: use a dab of plain Vaseline®, Cetaphil ®, mineral oil, or vegetable oil on a soft tissue. Clean anal area as gently as possible with lubricated tissues, and then do a final pass to leave moisturizing Vaseline in place. More than a dab will result in a greasy sensation unacceptable to women and can penetrate through underwear to stain clothing.

Urinary loss is another source of irritation. Use of menstrual pads for incontinence keeps wetness against the skin; pads designed for incontinence Poise®, Depends® promote dryness and lessen irritation.²

Tampons

Use of tampons may not be possible for women with pain in the vestibule; a “positive tampon test” can be present with infection, dermatitis, dermatosis, or vulvodynia. For many, insertion is painful and removal may be even more painful. However, it is our experience that, if tampons (slender, in an applicator that, augmented with lubricant and/or lidocaine, can slide easily) can be painlessly inserted and are used appropriately (correct absorbency for flow), they are less irritating than pads since they do not shift back and forth on the vulva. Women with severe vulvar dermatitis or dermatosis may report irritation from a tampon string. It is possible to minimize this by curling the string up into the lower vagina. For such a patient, a tampon is still less irritating than a pad.

Tampons are not the source of the bacteria that cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is caused by toxins acting as superantigens from staphylococcus present in the vagina³ or introduced by fingers or insertion of a tampon. Changes in the manufacturing and use of tampons led to a decline in staphylococcal menstrual TSS (mTSS) over the past decade, while the incidence of non-menstrual staphylococcal TSS has increased. Despite the very low incidence of mTSS, the disease remains of interest, because tampons are widely used.⁴ The relation of tampon absorbency and TSS continues, unexplained. To minimize the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), the FDA encourages women to use the lowest absorbency tampon appropriate for their flow, to change every four hours and not to leave in place overnight.⁵

Menstrual cups

Menstrual cups have been available for decades. They are a satisfactory alternative to tampons.⁶ There are many types of cups available and multiple factors that go into the choice of cup. http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Menstrual-Cup. Women who are latex allergic must take care to choose a silicone cup. Fans praise the cup for its comfort and utility but acknowledge that it can leak.

Natural sea sponges

Natural sea sponges have been promoted for use as menstrual tampons. Public interest in these products grew after the publicity associating toxic shock syndrome with the use of menstrual tampons.

In late 1980, twelve “menstrual sponges” were examined by the University of Iowa Laboratory and found to contain sand, grit, bacteria, and various other materials.⁷ The sponges were voluntarily recalled by the distributor. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia also reported at least one case (and possibly another) of TSS associated with the use of a sea sponge.

Menstrual sponges remain controversial. The FDA has strict approval protocols for them www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm123803.htm. Makers of Sea Pearls Sponge Tampons maintain that they have never had a case of toxic shock associated with the sponge tampon use.

Menstrual pads

Skin irritation from pads can occur from chemicals such as chlorine, petroleum products, and other chemical residue from the manufacturing process. Mechanical abrasion of the pad against the skin increases the risk of irritation from chemical residues. Acrylate adhesive in Always pads can act as a contact irritant.⁸ Organic pads (like Natracare) do not contain chemical residues, are made without petroleum, and are biodegradable. The other option is all-cotton reusable pads (such as GladRags) that are gentle for the skin, comfortable and environmentally friendly. Women with chronic vulvar irritation almost always find the switch to one of these products helpful.

Daily panty liners

A series of 13 randomized, prospective trials of panty liners or ultra-thin pads demonstrated no clinically significant adverse effects either on the skin or on isolation frequencies or cell densities of representative genital microflora. Yet, the practice has been thought to be a source of irritation to the vulvar area, and, indeed, we recommend avoidance of both Always panty liners and the use of daily panty liners for women with vulvovaginal problems. In the woman who is comfortable day to day, who also wears panty liners, there is obviously no problem. The woman who seeks relief from chronic itching, burning, irritation or pain, needs to examine all of her behaviors.

Douching

Some health researchers remain skeptical about the harm of douching, given methodological limitations and inconsistent results of prior research.^{9 10} At the same time, there is a preponderance of evidence that vaginal douching, at best, has no benefits, and is associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis, cervical cancer, low birth weight, preterm birth, HIV transmission, STIs, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and infertility.¹¹ It appears that, with its lack of efficacy as well as its potential for disruption of normal vaginal ecology, douching should be discouraged in all women, especially patients with vulvovaginal problems.

Sprays and deodorants

Likewise, “feminine care products” are unnecessary and contribute potential contact/ irritant exposure to women who use them. Perineal talc has been linked to ovarian cancer,¹² but this linkage is controversial.¹³ We encourage women to avoid talc products. They should avoid application of feminine sprays, douches, powders, wipes, or other personal care products, prescription or over-the-counter topical preparations, herbals or natural oils not specifically recommended by an educated clinician.

We do not recommend the alternative of cornstarch routinely; we do suggest its use to reduce moisture under the abdominal pannus and in the groin (not on the vulva).

Sexual activity

Sexual activity can cause either minor or major abrasions to the vulvar skin. Often, these are very short-lived and experienced by women as a brief interlude of post-coital burning. On occasion, the discomfort can be experienced over a longer time and this algorithm addresses the work up that must be done whenever a woman complains of dyspareunia or post-coital pain bothersome enough to bring her in. Assumptions cannot be made that the sexual behavior in and of itself caused the discomfort.

In rare cases, intercourse with ejaculation can cause an allergic reaction. (See seminal plasma allergy below.)

Women may lubricate adequately during intercourse or not and they sometimes use lubricants.

A recommended lubricant pre-conception is Pre-Seed® which is also used by those not planning pregnancy, or unscented baby oil if not attempting conception. Known to irritate some: FemGlide® (hypo-osmotic, negative mucus production), Replens®, KY jelly®, Astroglide® (hyper-osmotic, irritating); (Annotation P, Vaginal secretions, pH, microscopy, and cultures/use of lubricants. (Under atrophy).

Clothing

There is no high quality evidence showing a link between vulvovaginal candidiasis and hygienic habits or wearing tight or synthetic clothing.¹⁴ However, contact dermatitis produced by allergic or irritant reactions to clothing is more frequent than previously thought.¹⁵ Allergy to textile dye is also increasing.^{16 17} So the advice to wear plain white undyed cotton underwear holds. Rough fabrics such as wool are also irritants.

Women frequently report that tight clothing such as jeans with a prominent in-seam can exacerbate vulvar pain as well as the irritation of vulvar dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus. The abrasion of thong underwear can exacerbate most vulvar conditions, and has been suggested as a cause of recurrent perineal fissuring. We have noted that Tencel wick-away athletic clothing and underwear is particularly helpful to those whose skin is irritated by perspiration. Women with skin problems affecting the groin, e.g. intertrigo, hidradenitis, and dermatoses, do well avoiding briefs with elastic around the leg openings. Women’s boxer shorts are made by Hanes and are available through other suppliers on-line.

Women with all types of vulvovaginal disease tell us that they are most comfortable when able to go without underwear and wear a longish skirt or caftan. Many women are accustomed to wearing underwear to bed. For symptomatic women we suggest sleeping without underwear in loose pajamas or a gown.

Laundry products

While one review suggests that consumer use of enzyme-containing laundry detergent products does not pose any greater risk of skin irritation than non-biological variants, concern over these chemicals for women with irritated skin promotes encouragement of using products as free of dyes, scents, and additives as possible. Use fragrance and enzyme free detergents such as Arm and Hammer® or All Free®. Avoid Tide® (contains enzymes).

Exercise, sports, cycling, horseback riding

There is no medical evidence regarding horseback riding but the question of its contribution to pain and irritation arises. For a woman with active irritation or pain, many activities, even walking, may be problematic. Avoidance of biking, spinning, and horseback riding until the condition is in control is advised. However, it is important to consider that if a saddle is properly fitted and proper equestrian technique used, impact against the saddle is minimized. Saddles with an opening to minimize vulvar impact are also available. The same is true of bicycling. Women need to know that exercising in tight, Lycra clothing may predispose them to vulvar irritation. Rinsing with warm water after exercise, if not a shower and a change into loose clothing is good preventive activity.

Tattooing and piercing

In many communities, these practices are unlicensed and unregulated and therefore not subject to health regulations. Risks include infections, prolonged bleeding, scarring, Hepatitis B and C, tetanus and HIV, as well as contact irritant reactions.

Allergic or irritant reactions

A woman may experience either allergy or irritant reaction in the vulvar area. Contact reactions are usually sudden in onset and result in irritation, stinging and burning; the corresponding skin color may be deeper than in other conditions. Allergic reactions can take 48-72 hours to appear and can last up to three weeks. Allergic reactions in the vulvar area are more likely to produce itching than burning. Removal of the offending substance is the first course of action, usually by way of a soak in warm water. A thin film of Vaseline® can be applied to soothe the skin. Skin breakdown can occur in this type of reaction and either yeast or superimposed bacterial infection can follow. (Contact dermatitis: irritant or allergic, in Atlas of Vulvar Disorders).

Semen allergy

Unfortunately, it is possible for women to be allergic to semen. The prevalence of this disease is largely unknown, but it is believed to affect up to 40,000 women in the United States.¹⁸ This condition is documented in the Atlas of Vulvar Disorders (Semen allergy).