7 things women put in their vaginas but have been warned not to

Won't somebody please think of the vaginas.

It feels like almost every week a new trend emerges which sees women putting random items in their vaginas.

But, time and time again, experts have warned against this. The vagina is a very sensitive area and does not need too many external ointments or products to function correctly.

However, women still do it. Be it a type of food or a product on sale, women still get tempted to try the new fads.

So, in no particular order, here are some of the things that women put in their vaginas, even though they are told not to...

Cucumbers

Last month, we found out that women have been putting cucumbers in their vaginas.

There's a new trend which involves women cleaning their vagina with the aid of a cucumber. There is nothing sexual about it, purely for cleansing purposes.

Aptly named, the cucumber cleanse, it involves the outer skin of a cucumber being removed and then the remainder of the naked cucumber being inserted into the vagina. It's then twisted around for 20 minutes. The guide is to do it until it's warm.

A Canadian doctor has now spoken out against this cleanse and is urging women to step away from the cucumbers.

Dr. Jen Gunter warned women about the dangers involved with such a cleanse. She says that this sort of practice could lead to serious side effects, such as HIV or gonorrhea. Doing any sort of cleanse on your vagina, in particular using a cucumber, can harm the good bacteria and disrupt the mucosal surface.

Yogurt

Only this week, a warning was issued to women to not put yogurt in or near their vaginas. They have been soaking tampons in yogurt and inserting them.

Their reason? They are using the dairy product in a bid to cure thrush. You see yogurt contains lactobacilli, and while lactobacilli is a bacteria that is good for your vagina and helps to treat thrush, the one found in yogurt is a different strain.

It's been somewhat of a myth for years now, with women believing that if they use natural sugarfree yogurt that their thrush would go away.

In short, no, no it won't.

You need to go to the chemist and get some medication for it.

Ozone gas

This has to be one of the weirder ones but women have been known to pump toxic ozone gas into their vaginas.

There's a new 'wellness' treatment doing the rounds where you insert a cannula into the vagina and pump ozone gas throughout. According to the Medical Wellness Associates, it is a painless procedure that benefits pelvic and labia pain while also warding off yeast, bacterial and viral infections.

Bee's nest

Apparently many women are now grinding up wasp nests and inserting them into their vaginas, in the hopes of giving their lady bits a face lift.

Let's just let that sink in.

Yes, the “oak galls” are currently for sale on Etsy and are said to promote “women’s health and well being”. The galls are said to tighten and clean the vagina, and make for a better sexual experience.

However, these claims are not supported with any type of scientific research. Many gynecologists are now warning women to stay away from these types of products.

Vicks VapoRub

Another worrying trend is women putting Vicks VapoRub on their vaginas. Somehow, they have been led to believe that the VapoRub could cure thrush and other types of vaginal issues.

But, in reality, it doesn't and it can actually make things a lot worse.

The use of VapoRub on vaginas seems to have stemmed from some online blogs which have been telling women to use it to cleanse their vagina and even to give it a different odour. It's also been given as a suggestion to spice things up in the bedroom.

As we've learned before, the vagina is a very sensitive area that needs very little products to make it function properly. If anyone feels they need some sort of ointment or cream for an issue they are having, then a doctor is best placed to advise on that.

VapoRub as an ointment is certainly not the answer. It is a godsend when we have a chesty cough or cold, but that's where it ends.

Jade Eggs

Gweneth Paltrow is behind this one, after she started selling these Jade Eggs on her website and told women that the should be wearing them in their vaginas all day long. Her reasoning? She said it helps 'increase chi, orgasms, vaginal muscle tone, hormonal balance, and feminine energy in general'.

While leading experts have said the opposite. Gynaecologist Dr Jen Gunter wrote an open letter to the star slamming the product and her advice to women. She said:

"I read the post on GOOP and all I can tell you is it is the biggest load of garbage I have read on your site since vaginal steaming."

The doctor explained that while she feels women 'have more compelling health interests right now', she had been asked by so many people about Gwyneth's 'vaginal rocks' that she felt obliged to share her thoughts on the matter.

Vitamin E

Khloe Kardashian once advised women to put vitamin E in their vaginas. In her words, "No joke: vitamin E may strengthen vaginal lining!!! Moisturize your labia and vagina with vitamin E oil to combat dryness and soothe irritation."

No, Khloe it most certainly does not strengthen your vaginal lining. Some women can benefit from putting vitamin E around their vagina if it is dry but that's it. There is absolutely no reason to put it inside the vagina.

If we've anything today it's to leave vaginas alone.