Personal Protection
for You and Your Clients
Marilyn Pratt, MD
Mucous-producing membranes are
strategically located throughout the human body. Many are hidden, but others are in areas that
communicate with nature’s elements; like air, water, earth and fire (smoke).
These membranes produce a natural wetting
agent (mucous) that acts to overcome the effects created by both internal
chemical and hormonal changes and external effects of nature’s elements. All of these membranes are part of our body’s
natural defense – critical to our well-being.
“Drying out” or “washing out” of mucous is an abnormal condition
affecting health and well being - often requiring medical attention to eyes,
nose, throat, bronchi, vagina etc. All
of these areas have mucous membranes that will dry if subjected to repeated
particles, chemicals or irritants.
Examples of drying agents are paint fumes, smoke, dust particles, and
chemically laden air or water. The
dryness of mucous membranes may also be caused by diet and, very often, lack of
hydration. Dehydration of the body and
the successive drying of mucous membranes can lead to inflammation, infections
and allergic reactions.
The Situation
Vaginal dryness is a special case in
point. This type of dryness is due to
the loss of superficial squamous cells, which produce mucous for the protection
of delicate vaginal cells. Untreated
dryness eventually makes it uncomfortable to walk or sit, as tissues pull
against other dry and sticky tissues.
(We can relate to this by thinking about a time our nostrils stuck shut
temporarily. Patients just taken off
ventilators may experience this too.)
Without proper external or internal lubrication this condition can progress
to bleeding or ulceration. Further
neglect can bring more severe conditions.
Vaginal walls may grow together and perforations may occur. All of these consequences can be prevented by
proper lubrication.
Vaginal dryness is a medical condition
often requiring a doctor’s attention because any situation that prevents the
production of normal mucous in the vagina can be harmful. Diabetes, stress, high blood pressure,
fatigue, tight clothing and too much water entering the vagina from douching
too often, sitting in Jacuzzis, or working in warm or poorly chlorinated pools
for prolonged periods will often disturb the normalization of the
mucous-producing cells. This type of
overexposure can cause inflammation and/or infections (Smith & Columbia).
Prevention
Preventing vaginal wall trauma due to pool
chemicals or sanitizers requires an oil-based lubricant to be used externally
and/or internally. This will prevent
most of the mucous from being washed away and protect against prolonged
chemical exposure. Vaginal dryness is a
medical problem affecting women of all ages.
Nursing mothers, women suffering from stress and fatigue, those
experiencing hormonal loss or imbalance – even women on the pill - are
candidates for a vaginal lubricant.
Those who have experienced vaginal dryness
know the negative impact it can have.
However, they probably don't know that practically every lubricant on
the market includes a chemical ingredient that can create a vaginal
problem: Glycerin*. Glycerin carries a medical hazard sign in the
U.S. Chemical Catalog utilized in the Pharmaceutical, Medical and Cosmetic
industries. Glycerin can be a source of
burning and inflammation for women because glycerin is a byproduct of soap.
Glycerin is an alcohol and therefore
absorbs water. It can be dehydrating and
irritating to exposed skin in high concentrations (Goodman). Concentrated solutions slowly promote
bacterial growth. The irritant action
makes it an excellent product for suppositories to encourage evacuation of the
bowel. It promotes peristalsis through
local irritation of the mucous membrane of the rectum (Chase).
Glycerin is a clear, colorless, syrupy,
sweet tasting liquid. The first
polyhyrdric alcohol can yield aldose and ketsose – sugars (Chase). Women with diabetes and women with a history
of yeast infections (more common in women on birth control pills, antibiotics
or steroids) need to be informed about this and refrain from using glycerin
products (Spodnik). Also eliminate use
of Vaseline or cold cream as they can irritate the tissue or block secretions
(Melpomene).
Finally, glycerin is soluble in water and
washes away in the pool rather than adhering to the tissue it was applied to.
As more and more aquatic therapists
experienced some type of vaginitis the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute
(ATRI) decided to experiment with several products. They looked for products that used natural
ingredients, had been on the market awhile, and that eliminated the recurrence
of vaginitis.
A lubricant tested by aquatic therapists
who subscribe to the ATRI Bulletin Board, Crème de la Femme, met these
conditions:
· It contains no
glycerin.
· It is a true
lubricant, not just a moisturizer.
· It is free of
alcohol, sugars and dyes.
· Its main ingredient
is mineral oil, which carries no medical hazard sign.
· Paraffin, ceresin and
petrolatum are its lesser ingredients.
· All of these are
formulated inside the earth from the oldest of nature’s botanicals - those that
have, over billions of years, produced oil.
· No animals have been
used in testing the product.
· It is approved by the
FDA as a non-prescription drug.
This fluid-film lubricant, that will not
irritate, run, or dry out, lubricates naturally and effectively. It is self-cleansing. It offers added protection, as it will not
culture yeast or fungus, which are contaminants often found in pools and
Jacuzzis. Best of all, it is not
water-soluble so it will not wash off in the pool.
Adding a vaginal tampon can also
help. It is recommended that women do
not use group hot tubs unless they apply the vaginal crème to a tampon and insert
it into the vagina first. This offers
women the best protection. Removal of
the tampon is recommended immediately after pool exposure.
Therapists working in warm water for
extended periods should apply (or insert) the lubricant immediately prior to immersion. It may be necessary to reintroduce the
lubricant after four hours of exposure (much like skin block lotions are to be
reapplied to give the most protection from day-long exposure to the sun). The ATRI testing showed that external use
seemed fine for one to two hours of exposure.
For longer exposure internal use is suggested.
Protect yourself and your clients. Mucous membranes play a vital part in our
immune system and overall health.
*Definitions of Glycerin:
·
C3H8O3.
A trihydric alcohol, trihydroxy-propane, present in chemical
combination in all fats. It is a syrupy
colorless liquid, soluble in all proportions in water and alcohol. It is made commercially by the hydrolysis of
fats, especially during the manufacture of soap. Used extensively as a solvent, as a
preservative, and as an emollient in various skin diseases. (
·
“A sweet, colorless, oily fluid that is used in drug
preparations. Glycerin is used as a
moistener for chapped skin, as an ingredient of suppositories for constipation,
and as a sweetener for drugs.” (Signet/Mosby)
Crème de la Femme can be ordered through
Adolph Kiefer and Associates 800-323-4071 or at www.kiefer.com
- click “Shop,” the “Aquatic Therapy and Fitness,” then “Ruth Sova recommends.”
Editor’s Note: The ATRI test group found no reactions or
precautions but did find an unusual use for the lubricant. Two therapists applied it to their feet prior
to putting on their pool shoes or sandals and entering the pool. The lubricant improved a cracking and dry
foot problem they were experiencing!
Author Information
Dr. Marilyn Pratt is a pioneer in women’s
health. In 1975, already in practice as
a GP for over 20 years, Dr. Pratt opened the first complete women’s health
center in the
She professes the importance of patient
education and emphasizes holistic health using the mind and body to understand
the many psychological and emotional problems that can lead to illness.
Bibliography
Chase, et al. Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Glanze, W., Anderson, K., and Anderson,
L., eds. The Signet/Mosby Medical
Encyclopedia. New
Goodman and Gilman. The Pharmalogical Basics of Therapeutics.
The Melpomene Institute. The Bodywise Woman.
Smith, S.F. and Smith, C.M.. Personal Health Choices.
Spodnik, J.P. and Cogan, D.P. The 35-plus Good Health Guide for women:
The Prime
of
Life Program for Women over 35.