In April 2018 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the effect of personal hygiene routines on the risk of vulvodynia, a condition characterized by vulvar discomfort and pain. A total of 213 women suffering from vulvodynia were included in the study, as well as 221 individuals with no history of the condition who acted as a control group. Information on personal hygiene routines, including wearing tight-fitting clothing, genital washing, pubic hair removal, douching and powdering, was collected and assessed. Results showed that women who wore tight-fitting jeans or trousers four or more times a week appeared to have twice the risk of vulvodynia when compared to those who never wore tight-fitting jeans or trousers. A further analysis revealed that individuals who removed all their pubic hair were 74% more likely to experience vulvodynia than those who removed hair from the bikini area only. In addition, those who frequently removed hair from the pubic area, ie at least once weekly, were almost twice as likely to experience vulvodynia than those who removed hair from the bikini area less than once monthly. It was also seen that the use of soaps and gels to cleanse the vulva appeared to reduce the risk of vulvodynia.
Klann AM et al. Exploring Hygienic Behaviors and Vulvodynia. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2019 Apr 8. [Epub ahead of print]