Vaginal Abrasions
From
Clinician Reviews®
Warn Against Vaginal Scratches
[Clinician Reviews 8(3):164, 1998. © 1998 Clinicians
Publishing Group and Williams & Wilkins.]
No matter how small or thin a tampon is, it can still scratch the
cervical surface during walking, sitting, or any type of body
movement. If the vagina is dry and the woman pushes or pulls
to insert or remove a tampon, the vaginal walls may be
scratched or traumatized. These small cuts -- even microscopic
lacerations -- become ports of entry for human papillomavirus
and many other organisms. Women should be advised to allow
the menstrual flow to pass through the vaginal canal naturally,
as the alkaline nature of menstrual fluid combines with the
acidic vaginal environment, balancing the chemistry (pH) of
the vagina with normal, healthy flora.
Marjaneh M. Fooladi, FNP, WHNP, RN, CS
Hattiesburg, Miss
