In an Instagram post launching her new line of vaginal health supplements, Kourtney Kardashian says “Vaginal health is such an important part of a woman’s overall well-being (and not talked about enough)” which is true enough, but that’s where it starts to go downhill.
The fact that vaginal health and well-being aren’t well-known subjects is why we keep seeing products like this. Kardashian has identified a real problem and chosen to exploit the vulnerability rather than solve it.
“We combined real pineapple and Vitamin C with the power of clinically-studied SNZ 1969™ probiotics to target vaginal health and pH levels that support freshness and taste.” claims the Instagram post.
Braw spoke with Dr Tom Bowers, a Trainee Histopathologist in England, about the claims made by Kardashian’s supplement.
“There is a long history of health products aimed at people with vaginas that make claims to improving cleanliness, odour, pH balance, etc. At best these are dubious and in the case of some historical remedies, outright harmful,” said Dr Bowers.
Products such as these supplements imply that the natural odour and taste of a vagina is a problem which needs to be solved. The idea of somehow ‘improving’ them in order to appeal to a partner is highly misogynistic. Lemme is praying on people’s natural insecurities.
“I like that we are bringing attention to vaginal health but this idea that your vagina is dirty and should smell like a flower or taste like a bakery is ridiculous,” Dr Carolyn Moyers, an OB-GYN in Texas and CEO of Sky Women’s Health spoke about the new product to BuzzFeed News “The vagina is actually self-cleaning. This distorts our body images and makes women feel something is wrong with them; it perpetuates this idea that we are broken and need to fix our body to be appealing.”
Dr Jen Gunter, an OB-GYN and author of The Vagina Bible also spoke to BuzzFeed News: “Kardashian is uninformed about vaginal health and she is just a common variety misogynist hoping to cash in on false fears created by the patriarchy,”
A concern of many people with regard to products like this one is that people will ignore genuine health concerns and medical advice and instead seek out cosmetic solutions. One of the main things that can cause an unusual smell in the vagina is bacterial vaginosis, but as Dr Bowers notes, there is no evidence that this supplement or any of its ingredients will help.
While this product seems unlikely to cause harm, it is also not likely to offer significant medical benefit.
Dr Tom Bowers
“In the case of this specific product,” said Dr Bowers, “the active ingredient touted as being ‘clinically-studied’ (in itself a somewhat loaded phrase) is a probiotic called SNZ-1969(TM), which is a proprietary strain of Bacillus coagulans manufactured by Sanzyme Biologics. In literature on their website, they list studies examining its use clinically as an adjunct in the treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis, with some positive outcomes quoted, however, none of these represents a high standard of clinical evidence.
“On the manufacturer’s own website, they carry statements from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG), Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and other organisations which broadly agree on the lack of evidence to support the routine use of probiotics in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. A more recent joint statement by the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) and World Health Organisation than the one quoted by Sanzyme similarly concludes that more good quality research is required and does not recommend their routine use.”
Braw asked Dr Bowers what they would recommend if someone noticed an unusual scent. “While this product seems unlikely to cause harm, it is also not likely to offer significant medical benefit. The vagina is a remarkable organ and like most of the human body, very capable of maintaining its own environment. Day-to-day changes in odour and secretions are natural and highly variable between individuals and represent numerous factors including diet and hormonal changes. In the case where someone suspects they may be suffering from BV or any other abnormal vaginal discharge, then they should consult their GP, local sexual health clinic or other appropriate specialist services.”
Students at the University of Stirling can access free sexual health care through NHS Forth Valley.
Featured Image Credit: Lemme
Student journalist & freelance writer. Check out Quick Play, where I review video games that are 10 hours or less.
