Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2025.037

Vulvovaginal health - preferred practices in women's intimate hygieneSocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Simona Kelčíková1, *, Ema Fabianová2, Nika ©tekláčová1, Nora Malinovská3, Lucia Mazúchová2
1 Comenius University Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Martin, Slovak Republic
2 Comenius University Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Department of Midwifery, Martin, Slovak Republic
3 Comenius University Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Department of Foreign Languages, Martin, Slovak Republic

Background: Intimate hygiene (IH) plays a significant role in women's quality of life. The aim of the study was to investigate women's preferred daily care practices in relation to vaginal discomfort (VD) and vulvovaginal health.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 201 women with a mean age of 25.85 years (± 6.25). A self-constructed questionnaire with pilot testing was used for data collection. The data were analysed using descriptive and inductive statistics.

Results: The majority of women preferred using cleansing products (61%) or washing with water (47%) for IH. As many as 80% of respondents had experienced VD, which may indicate inadequate IH or untreated infections. Statistically significant differences in IH awareness and practices of IH were observed based on the type of school attended, education level, and relationship status. Women with healthcare education demonstrated better awareness of VD and infections; university-educated women practiced IH at a more satisfactory level, while single women were less likely to consult a physician about vulvovaginal problems.

Conclusion: The results highlight the need for health education programs focused on women's vulvovaginal health. It is crucial to focus not only on treating symptoms of VD but also on understanding current epidemiological trends and promoting preventive measures in IH, as this may contribute to a significant reduction in the risk of vulvovaginal infections.

Keywords: Intimate hygiene; Intimate hygiene practices; Vaginal discomfort; Vulvovaginal health
Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: February 10, 2025; Revised: May 13, 2025; Accepted: June 27, 2025; Prepublished online: August 28, 2025 

Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. . Act No. 18/2018 Coll., o ochrane osobných údajov a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov. In: Zbierka zákonov Slovenskej republiky.
    2. . Alvisi S, Gava G, Orsili I, Giacomelli G, Baldassarre M, Seracchioli R, Meriggiola MC (2019). Vaginal Health in Menopausal Women. Medicina 55(10): 615. DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100615. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. . Bachmann GA, Nevadunsky NS (2000). Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis. Am Fam Physician 61(10): 3090-3096.
    4. . Bardin MG, Giraldo PC, Benetti-Pinto CL, Sanches JM, Araujo CC, Amaral RLGD (2022). Habits of Genital Hygiene and Sexual Activity among Women with Bacterial Vaginosis and/or Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 44(2): 169-177. DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741536. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. . Bergeron S, Reed BD, Wesselmann U, Bohm-Starke N (2020). Vulvodynia. Nat Rev Dis Primers 6(1): 36. DOI: 10.1038/s41572-020-0164-2. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. . Bradfield Strydom M, Nelson TM, Khan S, Walpola RL, Ware RS, Tiralongo E (2023). Interplay of the microbiome and antifungal therapy in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC): A narrative review. J Med Microbiol 72(5). DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001705. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. . Brown H, Drexler M (2020). Improving the Diagnosis of Vulvovaginitis: Perspectives to Align Practice, Guidelines, and Awareness. Popul Health Manag 23(S1): S3-S12. DOI: 10.1089/pop.2020.0265. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. . Chen Y, Bruning E, Rubino J, Eder SE (2017). Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: Global hygiene practices and product usage. Womens Health 13(3): 58-67. DOI: 10.1177/1745505717731011. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. . Cleveland Clinic (2022). Spermicide. [online] [cit. 2025-01-11]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22493-spermicide
    10. . Cooke G, Watson C, Deckx L, Pirotta M, Smith J, van Driel ML (2022). Treatment for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 1(1): CD009151. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009151.pub2. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. . Daher A, Albaini O, Siff L, Farah S, Jallad K (2022). Intimate hygiene practices and reproductive tract infections: A systematic review. Gynecol Obstet Clin Med 2(3): 129-135. DOI: 10.1016/j.gocm.2022.06.001. Go to original source...
    12. . Długosz J, Millan N, Sędek Ł (2024). The influence of intimate hygiene on vaginal microbiota and health. Postępy Hig Med Do¶w 78(1): 37-44. DOI: 10.2478/ahem-2024-0003. Go to original source...
    13. . Ezhova I, Savidge L, Bonnett C, Cassidy J, Okwuokei A, Dickinson T (2020). Barriers to older adults seeking sexual health advice and treatment: A scoping review. Int J Nurs Stud 107: 103566. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103566. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. . Fait T (2019). Současné moľnosti léčby vulvovaginálního dyskomfortu. Med praxi 16(4): 254-256. Go to original source...
    15. . Farr A, Effendy I, Frey Tirri B, Hof H, Mayser P, Petricevic L et al. (2021). Guideline: Vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k). Mycoses 64(6): 583-602. DOI: 10.1111/myc.13248. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. . Gandhi AB, Madnani N, Thobbi V, Vora P, Seth S, Shah P (2022). Intimate hygiene for women: expert practice points. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 11(8): 2315-2319. DOI: 10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20221962. Go to original source...
    17. . Goje O (2023). Vaginite da Candida. Manuale MSD Versione per i professionisti. [online] [cit. 2025-01-09]. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/it/professionale/ginecologia-e-ostetricia/vaginite-cervicite-e-malattia-infiammatoria-pelvica/vaginite-da-candida
    18. . Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S (2016). Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors. Crit Rev Microbiol 42(6): 905-927. DOI: 10.3109/1040841X.2015.1091805. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. . Graziottin A (2024). Maintaining vulvar, vaginal and perineal health: Clinical considerations. Womens Health 20: 17455057231223716. DOI: 10.1177/17455057231223716. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. . Guinot M, Blanco JE, Delgado JL, Olivia R, San Frutos LM, Huerta I, et al. (2019). Acceptability, tolerability, and effects on symptoms and signs of vulvovaginitis of a non-soap, herbal-based intimate hygiene solution. J Int Med Res 47(6): 2626-2636. DOI: 10.1177/0300060519837820. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. . Havránek E (2007). Vulvovaginálne infekcie. Ambulantná terapia 5(3-4): 161-165.
    22. . Hill DA, Taylor CA (2021). Dyspareunia in Women. Am Fam Physician 103(10): 597-604.
    23. . Hisham A, Almadani L, Tahlak M, Haddad E (2011). The Middle East and Central Asia guidelines on female genital hygiene. BMJ Middle East 19: 99-106.
    24. . Holdcroft AM, Ireland DJ, Payne MS (2023). The Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Disease-What Role Do Common Intimate Hygiene Practices Play? Microorganisms 11(2): 298. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020298. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    25. . Imam UA, Onyemowo AP, Obeagu EI (2024). Impact of Vaginal Douching on Women's Health; Benefits and Potential Health Risk. J Res Med Sci 5(1): 20-29. DOI: 10.59298/NIJRMS/2024/51.2019.1400. Go to original source...
    26. . Imura M (2021). Pharmacology education on women's health, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding in Midwifery education. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 156(2): 97-102. DOI: 10.1254/fpj.20099. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. . Kalia N, Singh J, Kaur M (2020). Microbiota in vaginal health and pathogenesis of recurrent vulvovaginal infections: a critical review. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 19(1): 5. DOI: 10.1186/S12941-020-0347-4. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. . Kelčíková S, Mazúchová L, Kaisová L (2017). Examining the determinants of intimate hygiene for young women with an emphasis on behavior related to risk of vulvovaginal infections. Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 8(2): 641-649. DOI: 10.15452/CEJNM.2017.08.0013. Go to original source...
    29. . Kelčíková S, Pydová M, Malinovská N (2020). Sexual behavior of adolescents with an emphasis on use of contraceptives / risk of sexually transmitted infections. Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 11(1): 2-8. DOI: 10.15452/CEJNM.2020.11.0002. Go to original source...
    30. . Koliba P, Koliba P (2013). Vaginální dyskomfort, intimní hygiena. Prakt lékáren 9(3): 139-141.
    31. . Krejčí V (2022). Vybrané moľnosti samoléčby vaginálních infekcí. Prakt lekáren 18(2): 96-99. Go to original source...
    32. . Leclair C, Stenson A (2022). Common causes of vaginitis. JAMA 327(22): 2238-2239. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.6375. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. . Meyer-Bahlburg HF, Dolezal C (2007). The female sexual function index: a methodological critique and suggestions for improvement. J Sex Marital Ther 33(3): 217-224. DOI: 10.1080/00926230701267852. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. . Murina F, Caimi C, Felice R, Di Francesco S, Cetin I (2020). Characterization of female intimate hygiene practices and vulvar health: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol 19(10): 2721-2726. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13402. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. . Murina F, Lubrano C, Cappelli E, Campo M, Taraborrelli S (2023). The role of female intimate hygiene practices in the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis: A randomized, controlled open-label trial. Health Care Women Int 44(5): 689-700. DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2022.2061972. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    36. . National Health Portal [Národný portál zdravia] (2018). Porucha imunity, antibiotiká či prehnaná hygiena? Čo naozaj prispieva k vaginálnym infekciám. [online] [cit. 2025-02-21]. Available from: https://www.npz.sk/sites/npz/Stranky/NpzArticles/2018_07/Porucha_imunity,_antibiotika_ci_prehnana_hygiena__Co_naozaj_prispieva_k_vaginalnym_infekci.aspx?did=6&sdid=81&tuid=0&page=full≺int=1&
    37. . Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, Leiblum S, Meston C, Shabsigh R, et al. (2000). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A Multidimensional Self-Report Instrument for the Assessment of Female Sexual Function. J Sex Marital Ther 26(2): 191-208. DOI: 10.1080/009262300278597. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    38. . Ruiz C, Giraldo PC, Sanches JM, Reis V, Beghini J, Laguna C, Amaral RL (2019). Daily genital cares of female gynecologists: a descriptive study. Rev Assoc Med Bras 65(2): 171-176. DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.65.2.171. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    39. . Vishwakarma D, Puri P, Sharma SK (2021). Interlinking menstrual hygiene with Women's empowerment and reproductive tract infections: Evidence from India. ClinEpidemiol Glob Health 10: 100668. DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2020.11.001. Go to original source...
    40. . Yildirim R, Vural G, Koçoğlu E (2020). Effect of vaginal douching on vaginal flora and genital infection. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 21(1): 29-34. DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2019.2018.0133. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return