Vagisil

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Vagisil is an American brand of over-the-counter cream used to treat external vaginal itching and irritation. It is produced by Combe Incorporated, a company based in White Plains, New York and was introduced in 1974. [1]

Contents

The active ingredients are Benzocaine (5%), a local anesthetic which reduces the itching, and Resorcinol (2%), an antiseptic which treats the skin irritation. [2]

Products

In February, 2021, Vagisil launched new products labelled OMV! which are scented wipes, cleansers and anti itch creams for vaginas and vulvas. The marketing is directed at teenagers, which has been criticized on social media by doctors. OB/GYNs Jen Gunter, Chavone Momon-Nelson and Jocelyn Fitzgerald all expressed worry that the advertising campaign will make teens ashamed of their vaginas and that the treatment will cause issues such as irritation and allergic reaction. They worry that the teens may not seek medical advice for real issues, such as yeast infections that should not be treated with Vagisil. Gunter and Momon-Nelson agree that the vagina should be left alone and does not need special cleaners or refreshing. Vagisil responded to this criticism explaining that their products have an appropriate pH level for external use in the vulvar area and have been tested by independent dermatologists and gynecologists. [3] A spokesperson for Vagisil stated that their products are not for everyone and that they created OMV! in response to active young women who have expressed "...worry about period hygiene and odours". Gunter counters stating menstruation is natural and vaginas are not supposed to smell like the OMV! scents roses or vanilla-clementine. [4]

Vagisil has been the subject of various comedy routines.

In the South Park episode "Poor and Stupid" Cartman sees a commercial for Vagisil which lists short-term memory loss as a possible side effect. He then goes to a pharmacy with Butters Stotch to consume large quantities of the cream in an attempt to become "dumb enough" to perform well in NASCAR races.

Vagisil appears as an alleged sponsor of "Ladies' Bowling" in a series of sketches on the TV show Saturday Night Live . One of the sports commenters in the sketches repeatedly advertises the product with highly inappropriate marketing slogans.

In the TV show The Big Bang Theory, a Vagisil coupon that came in the mail to Sheldon Cooper appears at the end of the second episode of the seventh season, which he presents as a gift to Penny with a comment: "Think of me when you apply it".

In the movie Major League, aging Starting Pitcher Eddie Harris illegally uses Vagisil to increase the drop on his "Curveball".

Related Research Articles

Vaginitis, also known as vulvovaginitis, is inflammation of the vagina and vulva. Symptoms may include itching, burning, pain, discharge, and a bad smell. Certain types of vaginitis may result in complications during pregnancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irritation</span> State of inflammation

Irritation, in biology and physiology, is a state of inflammation or painful reaction to allergy or cell-lining damage. A stimulus or agent which induces the state of irritation is an irritant. Irritants are typically thought of as chemical agents but mechanical, thermal (heat), and radiative stimuli can also be irritants. Irritation also has non-clinical usages referring to bothersome physical or psychological pain or discomfort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itch</span> Sensation that causes desire or reflex to scratch

Itch is a sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch. Itches have resisted many attempts to be classified as any one type of sensory experience. Itches have many similarities to pain, and while both are unpleasant sensory experiences, their behavioral response patterns are different. Pain creates a withdrawal reflex, whereas itches leads to a scratch reflex.

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The female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in the reproduction of new offspring. In humans, the female reproductive system is immature at birth and develops to maturity at puberty to be able to produce gametes, and to carry a fetus to full term. The internal sex organs are the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The female reproductive tract includes the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes and is prone to infections. The vagina allows for sexual intercourse and childbirth, and is connected to the uterus at the cervix. The uterus or womb accommodates the embryo which develops into the fetus. The uterus also produces secretions which help the transit of sperm to the fallopian tubes, where sperm fertilize ova produced by the ovaries. The external sex organs are also known as the genitals and these are the organs of the vulva including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benadryl</span> Brand of various antihistamine medications

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miconazole</span> Chemical compound

Miconazole, sold under the brand name Monistat among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat ring worm, pityriasis versicolor, and yeast infections of the skin or vagina. It is used for ring worm of the body, groin, and feet. It is applied to the skin or vagina as a cream or ointment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Bond</span>

Gold Bond is a brand of over-the-counter skin care products produced by Chattem of Chattanooga, Tennessee, now a subsidiary of the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi. It is available as both a powder and a topical cream. Gold Bond is used to curb moisture, control odor, and soothe minor skin irritations, notably jock itch. Spin-off products are designed for specific uses, such as foot powders or powders for infants to treat diaper rash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calamine</span> Cream or lotion for treating skin conditions

Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication made from powdered calamine mineral that is used to treat mild itchiness. Conditions treated include sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, and other mild skin conditions. It may also help dry out skin irritation. It is applied on the skin as a cream or lotion.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaginal discharge</span> Medical condition

Vaginal discharge is a mixture of liquid, cells, and bacteria that lubricate and protect the vagina. This mixture is constantly produced by the cells of the vagina and cervix, and it exits the body through the vaginal opening. The composition, amount, and quality of discharge varies between individuals and can vary throughout the menstrual cycle and throughout the stages of sexual and reproductive development. Normal vaginal discharge may have a thin, watery consistency or a thick, sticky consistency, and it may be clear or white in color. Normal vaginal discharge may be large in volume but typically does not have a strong odor, nor is it typically associated with itching or pain. While most discharge is considered physiologic or represents normal functioning of the body, some changes in discharge can reflect infection or other pathological processes. Infections that may cause changes in vaginal discharge include vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and sexually transmitted infections. The characteristics of abnormal vaginal discharge vary depending on the cause, but common features include a change in color, a foul odor, and associated symptoms such as itching, burning, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse.

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Amcinonide is a topical glucocorticoid used to treat itching, redness and swelling associated with several dermatologic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Amcinonide can also be classified as a multi-functional small molecule corticosteroid, which has been approved by the FDA and is currently marketed as an ointment, lotion, or cream. It acts as both a transcription factor for responses to glucocorticoids and modulator for other transcription factors while also regulating phospholipase A2 activity.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clotrimazole</span> Chemical compound

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Topical antifungaldrugs are used to treat fungal infections on the skin, scalp, nails, vagina or inside the mouth. These medications come as creams, gels, lotions, ointments, powders, shampoos, tinctures and sprays. Most antifungal drugs induce fungal cell death by destroying the cell wall of the fungus. These drugs inhibit the production of ergosterol, which is a fundamental component of the fungal cell membrane and wall.

References

  1. "A Company That's Found Its Niches". The New York Times. 2 September 2001. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. "VAGISIL Anti-Itch Creme Regular Strength (cream) Combe Incorporated". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  3. Holohan, Meghan (February 8, 2021). "Vagisil responds to backlash from doctors over teen 'cleansing' products". Today. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  4. Petz, Sarah; Bergen, Rachel (February 12, 2021). "Gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter calls out Vagisil for 'predatory' products aimed at teens". CBC. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.