A randomized prospective trial of the cutaneous and sensory effects of feminine hygiene wet wipes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of feminine hygiene wet wipes on vulvar skin. STUDY DESIGN: An examiner-blind, randomized, prospective clinical trial of prototype wet wipes (treatment group) and dry toilet tissue (comparison group) in 120 premenopausal and 60 postmenopausal women was conducted in which the wipes or toilet tissues were for approximately 28 consecutive days. RESULTS: Use of wet wipes in lieu of toilet tissue caused no significant impact on erythema of the external genitalia. Mean vulvar erythema scores after 28 days of product use were lower than baseline scores for both wipes and toilet tissue. In postmenopausal women, wet wipes were associated with increased labial and perineal skin moisture. A minority of premenopausal participants found skin wetness from wipes less appealing and sometimes associated with slight sensory irritation; however, wet wipes were favored for personal cleansing by postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: Four weeks of using wet wipes caused negligible clinical effects on vulvar skin irritation and appeared to contribute to skin moisture in postmenopausal women. This subgroup preferred using wet wipes, possibly due to the skin atrophy and dryness that accompany estrogen depletion. An opportunity exists to tailor the lotion level on the wipes m to the genital skin condition and preferences of younger and older Women.

An investigator-blind, single-center, controlled, parallel group study to confirm the suitability of sanitary pads for menstrual protection in an ethnic nigerian population.

This study assessed the suitability of a widely used brand of sanitary pad with a formed film top sheet (study pad) for comfort, protection from soiling, and fit to underwear in a local female Nigerian population compared to a leading nonwoven product (reference pad) marketed in Nigeria. Two hundred eighty-nine healthy Nigerian women 18-45 years of age were randomized to wear one of the brands over two menstrual cycles. Both groups reported comparable (yet few) sensations of itching, rubbing/chafing, redness/rash, and burning/stinging. Participants rated menstrual protection of the study pad statistically significantly better for 88% of questions on a rating form. The percentage of negative comments regarding leakage and pad slip was statistically significantly lower for the study pad than for the reference product. There were no pad-related adverse events. These results show that the study pad was preferred in terms of comfort, protection from soiling, and fit to underwear. Further, top sheet technologies do not differ from nonwoven products in terms of compatibility to skin during use.

Cumulative irritation patch test of sanitary pads on sensitive skin.

BACKGROUND: Tools are needed to assess the effects of various products on sensitive skin. AIM: To investigate the cutaneous compatibility of various sanitary pads in people with self-declared sensitive skin. PATIENTS/METHODS: Eight subjects, who considered their skin to be sensitive and who reported adverse skin responses to everyday products or clothing, were patch tested on the arm with two, low-irritancy sanitary pads for four consecutive 24-hour periods. Test products differed only in their surface covering. Sodium lauryl sulfate solution (0.1% w/v) and physiological saline served as standard irritant and nonirritant controls, respectively. Skin irritation (erythema) was graded after each 24-hour period. RESULTS: No significant difference in skin erythema scores was observed between groups (scores on day 4: 1.06 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.25 +/- 0.13, on a five-point scale, P < 0.05). The temporal development of cumulative irritation associated with the pads was comparable to that observed with the nonirritant control (a plateau in maximal group scores) and distinct from that of the irritant control (continuously rising scores). CONCLUSION: Sanitary pads under investigation elicited negligible cumulative irritation in a four-day patch test on subjects with self-declared sensitive skin. The temporal pattern of cumulative response was consistent with the inherently low irritation potential of the products.