Gynecologists Have One Ask: Please Don't Use Yoni Pearls

If you've got a vagina, you've likely heard about assorted practices and products to help keep it happy. Even though little is needed from outside sources because a vagina is a self-cleaning body part, that hasn't stopped the wellness world from suggesting we steam, scrub, or otherwise interfere with the work of nature. In recent years, there's been a huge rise in the idea that we need to "detox" our vaginas and "tone" our uteruses—notions that hadn't really existed prior in our culture.

Yoni pearls, also known as vaginal pearls, are one of the many products on the market purporting to improve the health of your vagina. We were suspicious about them, given that claims to "detox" a part that requires no detoxification sounds iffy, so we asked two OB/GYNS for their informed thoughts. Ahead, learn why yoni pearls aren't just useless: They may even be dangerous.

What Are Vaginal Pearls?

An item made specifically for your reproductive organs, Hack tells us that "vaginal pearls are suppositories that you place into the vagina to deliver some kind of treatment." Minkin adds that they're "a collection of different herbal products that are supposed to be for 'cleansing' the reproductive tract-not limited to the vagina, but some folks think they cleanse the uterus, too."

According to assorted product labels, the ingredients in the pearls may include:

• Borneol
• Pseudo-ginseng
• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Red-rooted salvia
• Safflower
• Peach kernel
• Angelica
• Saffron
• Vitamin C
• Probiotics

Purported Benefits of Vaginal Pearls

Many brands make these suppositories with enticing claims. Hack tells us, "sellers claim that they detox or cleanse the vagina. They are purported to have physical and spiritual benefits, such as regulating menstruation, toning the uterus, and improving fertility." In researching yoni pearls, we found claims including a "fresh" smelling vagina, increased wetness, higher libido, reduced vaginal pain, tightening of the vagina, and reduced risk of infections.

If these claims were proven accurate, it might be worth the risk of placing foreign matter inside yourself for up to 24 hours. Still, outside of not being scientifically backed as effective, these things can be harmful to your health.

Risks and Dangers of Using Vaginal Pearls

Anytime you disrupt the status quo of your body's functions, you risk creating health issues. Hack says the FDA doesn't regulate these products, so there's no way to know if they contain the ingredients listed on the packaging or if they work." That means you could be putting anything in there without knowing if it's what you purchased.

The ingredients in yoni pearls may offset your natural bacterial balance. That can lead to yeast infections, BV (bacterial vaginosis), an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, unpleasant discharge, cramping, pain, or vaginal dryness.

Minkin compares vaginal pearls to douching, noting that "we certainly know from douching, which is washing out the vagina, that you wash away more good bacteria than bad," she explains. "People who douche regularly end up with more infections, not less."

Messing with the natural balance of things increases your risk of an unwanted reaction. Minkin adds, "the vagina and the uterus certainly do not need cleansing, and the uterus has relatively few bacteria-and you don't need to introduce anymore."

Alternatives to Vaginal Pearls

There are safer alternatives if you're still hopped up on the idea of vaginal pearls. Minkin explains, "If you think you are experiencing a vaginal odor, you certainly can try to make the vagina somewhat more acidic (yes, in the vagina, acidic is good) by using a pH balancer like RepHresh vaginal gel. If that doesn't work, you should check in with your GYN health care provider, who can evaluate you for a vaginal infection and prescribe the appropriate medication."

Both doctors agree that the best alternative to vaginal pearls is simply leaving your vagina alone and letting it do the work it was designed to do independently. Minkin says there is no need to use yoni pearls at all, and Hack tells us that the best alternative is "allowing the most natural process of all: your vagina cleaning itself."

If you're set on using these despite medical professionals finding them a bad idea, you should at least proceed cautiously. Hack suggests you "read the ingredients label to confirm you do not have any allergies to the ingredients. Use according to the package insert. After use, wait a few days before using it again to allow time to determine if you have any negative reactions."

The Final Takeaway

Yoni pearls are products inserted into the vagina and left there for up to a day. Their labels claim they are made of herbs that detoxify your vagina to increase your libido. There is no proof of these claims, and because they aren't FDA-regulated products, you have no way of knowing if what you're buying actually includes the ingredients on the label.

Using yoni pearls can lead to unwanted side effects, such as infections, itching, and cramps. If you feel like your vagina is somehow off-kilter, the thing to do is speak to a board-certified gynecologist. They can walk you through what's going on (if anything) and offer you a scientifically backed treatment. And if your vagina is doing just fine, please just leave it alone.