Vagisil is selling vaginal 'cleansing products' to teens, and gynecologists are not happy about it

• Gynecologists expressed their concerns on social media that Vagisil's newest products are unsafe.
• According to Vagisil, the cleansing products are intended to be used for the vagina, which goes against medical advice regarding vaginal health.
• Vagisil later clarified their previous statements, saying the cleanser is intended for the vulva, not the vagina.

Gynecologists are firing back at Vagisil on social media after the company said their new line of cleansers is intended for "external vaginal use."

Vagisil, a company that creates products catered to vaginal hygiene, released a line of vaginal health products called OMV!, marketed to teenagers. It includes cleansing wipes, a serum, and a cleanser.

But gynecologists, including Dr. Jennifer Gunter, took issue with the ad, saying it is both harmful and nonsensical.

The vagina, Gunter explained, is inside the body, so "external use" doesn't make sense. What's more, she said, you should avoid cleaning your vagina because it's a "self-cleaning oven"

Vagisil subsequently shut down its comments section on Instagram.

The products were originally marketed to be used inside the vagina, which can cause yeast infections

According to an Instagram comment by Vagisil, the products are meant to be used inside the vagina "so period funk and bikini itch don't get in your way."

Vagisil said in an Instagram comment under one of their posts advertising the products that they were meant to be used on the "external vagina," which is not a medical term. The vagina refers to the muscular canal at the center of the vulva.

While gentle cleansers and water can be used to clean the vulva (clitoris, inner, and outer labia), they should not be used inside the vaginal canal.

Gynecologists like Gunter voiced their concern on Twitter, as studies show soap, cleansers, and even water are never intended to go inside the vagina, as they can cause yeast infections and other vaginal health problems.

"Hi @vagisil every study shows intravaginal cleaning - even with water - is damaging to the ecosystem. The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven. Your products are for the vulva. Do you not know the difference?" Gunter tweeted.

Vagisil responded to the social media criticism on February 6 after turning off comments on Instagram, with a statement that read: "All-Day Fresh Wash is an all-over body wash, that is safe, gentle, and pH-balanced for sensitive vulvar area skin."

Vagisil did not respond to Insider's request for comment at the time this article was written.