Members of the SHWI Advisory Board wrote a letter to the editor of OBG Management, a journal for OB-GYN practitioners, in response to an article published in the June 2021 issue of that journal.
The article, written by Pennycuff and Iglesia, was about helping patients select a lubricant or moisturizer. That article downplayed the risks inherent in using products with a higher pH and higher osmolality than are healthy. We responded with a letter outlining the risks and suggesting that practitioners need to be ready to help patients who ask for assistance selecting the right lubricant or moisturizer for their needs.
Highlights from our letter:
Women who choose to use lubricants and moisturizers because of vaginal dryness may unintentionally worsen their vaginal dryness if they select a hyperosmotic lubricant.
Lubricants and moisturizers intended for vaginal use should have a low pH to prevent disrupting the vaginal microbiome.
Healthcare providers should be prepared for patients to ask their advice on selecting the right lubricant or moisturizer for their needs.
This letter was published by OBG Management in January 2022. Read the letter here.
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