Vaginal Petroleum Jelly Increases The Risk Of Bacterial Vaginosis

Use of over-the-counter vaginal petroleum jelly increases the risk of bacterial vaginosis in women, a small study reported. Bacterial infections of the vagina are common in women, and several causes including douching are reported. However, few studies have reported the links of vaginal products and bacterial vaginosis. 

Imbalance between the levels of good (normal microflora) and bad bacteria (pathogen) present in vaginal results, in bacterial vaginosis. The infection can be characterized by burning or itching sensation with vaginal charge. However, most women do not experience such symptoms and remain asymptomatic and disease-free. 

No matter, it is symptomatic or asymptomatic. Bacterial vaginosis is a significant risk factor of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and HPV. Bacterial vaginosis is the chief causative of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that leads to infertility among women. 

A study led by Dr. Joelle Brown and her team from University of California studied around 141 women who were used vaginal, OTC petroleum jelly products including baby oil, lubricants and gel-based contraceptives. Among them, nearly half of the participants reported douching. The participants were allowed to use vaginal petroleum jelly over a period of one month. 

The study found a two-fold risk of bacterial vaginosis in vaginal petroleum jelly users. However, statistically insignificant levels of risk were observed in the non-users. The study proved that the vaginal product directly increased risk of such infection in women. 

The alkaline properties of petroleum jelly can make the bad bacteria thrive well, said Dr. Sten Vermund who directs Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Tennessee and an independent reviewer of the study. Acidic vaginal environment can keep these infections at bay, he said. 

Apart from petroleum jelly, douching is reported to be a disruptor of natural vaginal environment. The good bacteria present naturally in vagina produces many chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and protects from infection. In normal conditions, there is no need for any special chemicals or intra-vaginal medicinal products to prevent such infections. Unfortunately, several women are using douches regularly which may irritate the vaginal environment. 

The present study diagnosed about one-fourth of the participants were HIV positive. About 21% of participants were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis without co-infections, and 6% of participants had a yeast infection. Several contributing factors such as douching, sexual practice, race and age were also considered. 

The researcher reported that no study participants used petroleum jelly products for treatment of symptoms. Contrary to the previous research findings, douching was not associated with incidence and/or risk of bacterial vaginosis, the researchers said.

Dr. Brown said there was no link between risk of bacterial vaginosis and use of sexual lubricants. The present finding validated the results of similar, previous studies.

The researcher stressed for further studies involving a large number of participants and various intra-vaginal products with different chemicals and concentrations. 

Before using such products, you should consult the healthcare providers about the safety of such products before using, said Dr. Brown.

The study results have been published in Obstetrics & Gynecology.