INFLUENCE OF INTIMATE HAIR REMOVAL ON THE APPEARANCE OF VAGINAL AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS. CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29176/2590843X.1664Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the influence of intimate hair removal on the appearance of vulvo-vaginal and urinary (genitourinary) infections.
Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study. 861 women over 18 years of age, with the habit of intimate hair removal, who attended the outpatient gynecology consultation, residing in Quindío, Colombia, in three highly complex clinics were included, between 2014 and 2019. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was established using the Nugent score, vaginitis (candidiasis and/or trichomonas) by direct smear in wet and urinary infection by urine culture. Data associated with the time of epilation practice, presence of genitourinary infections, as well as the prevalence were related.
Results: The mean age of the population was 27.74 ± 5.19 years. 29.96% of the women had been waxing for a period of more than 5 years and less than 10 years; 62.36% reported 10 years or more, and 7.66% less than 5 years. 84.43% presented genitourinary infections, of which 41.95% were vaginal infections; 27.37% urinary infections, and 30.67 vaginal and urinary infections concomitantly. A statistically significant relationship was observed between hair removal time greater than 5 years and the appearance of genitourinary infections (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 5.79; 95% CI: 1.89-7.35). Higher risk was found among women who used long pants, tampon users and those who did not use cotton underwear (OR = 6.92; 95% CI: 1.11-15.28).
Conclusions: There is a relationship between intimate hair removal and the appearance of vulvo-vaginal and/or urinary infections. Future research should confirm these findings, as well as the influence of different hair removal methods that were associated with more or less infection.
Author Biography
Franklin José Espitia De La Hoz, Ginecología y Obstetricia / Universidad Militar nueva Granada Sexología Clínica - Máster en sexología: educación y asesoramiento sexual / Universidad de Alcalá de Henares Uroginecología / FUCS - Hospital de San José / Unicamp, Brasil.Director Científico: Hathor, Clínica Sexológica.
Ginecología y Obstetricia / Universidad Militar nueva Granada Sexología Clínica - Máster en sexología: educación y asesoramiento sexual / Universidad de Alcalá de Henares Uroginecología / FUCS - Hospital de San José / Unicamp, Brasil.Director Científico: Hathor, Clínica Sexológica.
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