Important rules of intimate hygiene during pregnancy and postpartum: necessity or modern trend?

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Abstract

The vaginal microbiota plays a significant role in maintaining women’s reproductive health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dysbiosis is associated with an increased risk of inflammatory diseases, preterm birth, intrauterine infection, and reduced quality of life. The study conducted by the International Microbiota Observatory in 2023 revealed a critically low level of awareness among women regarding the role of vaginal microbiota and proper intimate hygiene practices. This finding emphasizes the need for educational programs and active involvement of healthcare professionals in preventive care.

The presented clinical cases demonstrate that timely correction of the microbiota using rational antimicrobial therapy and gentle intimate hygiene products based on burdock extract (Saforelle) helps to relieve inflammatory symptoms, reduce mucosal dryness, and restore vaginal microbiota both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. A pregnant patient with mixed vaginitis and gestational diabetes mellitus showed rapid clinical improvement and normalized microflora. A woman in the postpartum period with genitourinary syndrome of lactation experienced a decrease in mucosal atrophy symptoms and an improvement in her quality of life.

Conclusion: The use of gentle intimate hygiene products is a rational element of a comprehensive approach to maintaining women’s health.

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About the authors

Tatiana A. Teterina

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia

Author for correspondence.
Email: palpebra@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0990-2302

PhD, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, USD Specialist, Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, Expert of the Association of Aesthetic Gynecology
Specialists

Russian Federation, 117997, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4

Inna A. Apolikhina

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University)

Email: apolikhina@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4581-6295

Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, Professor at the
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology, and Reproductology, Institute of Professional Education, President of the Association of Aesthetic Gynecology Specialists

Russian Federation, 117997, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4; Moscow

Nadezhda Yu. Katkova

Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: katkova_nu@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6188-9769

Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Additional Vocational Education

Russian Federation, 603005, Nizhny Novgorod, Minin and Pozharsky sqr., 10/1

Еkaterina V. Shaposhnikova

Professor V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: catrinaek@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8068-0699

PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Professional Education

Russian Federation, 660022, Krasnoyarsk, P. Zheleznyak str., 1

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Results of a smear for flora of patient N., 24 years old, with mixed vaginitis

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3. Fig. 2. Patient N., 24 years old, with mixed vaginitis due to pregnancy

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4. Fig. 3. Patient V., 32 years old, with genitourinary lactation syndrome before and after correction of intimate care

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