New research suggests that some feminine care products could expose users to harmful chemicals, Reuters reported.
Researchers at George Washington University found that women who use feminine care products called douches may be exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals known as phthalates.
Phthalates are found in many personal care items found in drug stores, and are associated with many health problems, including developmental and behavioral issues in children who have been exposed in the womb. One type of phthalate in particular--diethyl phthalate (DEP) is used in products to retain a fragrance.
"Phthalates are chemicals of concern for women's health because they are suspected endocrine disruptors and can alter the action of important hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormones," Ami Zota, senior author of the study, told Reuters.
For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from more than 700 women between the ages of 20 and 49 years old who had participated in a national survey and had answered questions about their use of vaginal douching products. They looked for phthalate metabolites in urine samples collected from the study participants, Medical Daily reported.
They found that douching was associated with higher urine levels of a metabolite of the phthalate DEP. In fact, women who reported douching in the past month had 52 percent higher urinary concentrations of this metabolite compared to women who never used these products.
"This study suggests, for the first time, that vaginal douches may increase a woman's exposure to phthalates, chemicals that may alter hormone action and are associated with serious health problems," Zota said. "These findings raise questions about the health and safety of vaginal douches and other fragranced products used in and around the vaginal area."
The findings are detailed in the journal Environmental Health.
