This archive report was first published on 13 October 2019.
October 13, 2019, marked the day when a bizarre trend emerged in Nigeria, where women began using toothpaste to tighten their vaginas. According to Dr. Oluwole Yusuf, a medical doctor in Nigeria, there has been a recent rise in this 'obsession.'
Doctors have issued serious warnings, stating that using toothpaste on the vagina can cause massive repercussions. Vanessa Mackay, a consultant gynaecologist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, 'It is a myth that toothpaste will tighten the vagina.' She added that putting toothpaste into the vagina or on the vulva would not only be uncomfortable but could also cause serious damage and disrupt the natural flora of the vagina, leading to potential infections like bacterial vaginosis and thrush.
Dr. Yusuf also warned that toothpaste contains small particles that could cause painful microabrasions to vaginal walls. He stated that the use of the dental product could lead to infertility, as it can destroy the organisms meant to protect the vagina from possible infections. When the vagina can no longer protect itself, the body is prone to infections, which could later destroy the tubes and block the chances of getting pregnant.
The trend is thought to have emerged from a series of YouTube videos and Reddit posts, which claim the bizarre method can work wonders. However, doctors urge women not to be 'body-shamed' by their partners and to be confident in their own skin. If the exercise is for their own personal reasons, they suggest trying out some Kegel exercises and yoga to slowly tighten the vagina without engaging in harmful practices.
